James Alfred Ernest Corea
Encyclopedia
Dr James Alfred Ernest Corea was a Sri Lanka
n public official. He was born in 1870. His father was Charles Edward Bandaranaike Corea
who was a Proctor
of the Supreme Court. His mother was Henrietta Seneviratne. J.A.E Corea's father died in 1872 when his youngest son Victor was just one. His wife Henrietta was a widow from the age of 21.
. His mother, Henrietta, sent him to be educated at one of the leading educational institutions in Sri Lanka, St.Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, he excelled in his studies. His younger brother, Victor, also joined him at St.Thomas' College.
, also known in the Mahavamsa
as the 'war hero,' Edirille Rala who was the King of Kotte
and Sitawaka.
and Victor Corea
, Agnes Corea and Evangeline Corea. Charles Edgar Corea and Victor Corea were freedom fighters in Sri Lanka during British rule. C.E. Corea was elected president of the Ceylon National Congress in 1924. Both brothers were also elected members of the Legislative Council of Ceylon
.
The Sunday Times newspaper of Sri Lanka writing about the three brothers, noted: 'Of the three boys, the eldest, Charles Edgar Corea, was educated at Royal College and having excelled in studies and cricket, he passed out as a proctor of the Supreme Court, took to politics and in 1924 was elected president of the Ceylon National Congress. Warden Stone of S. Thomas' College described old Royalist C.E. Corea as one of the finest speakers of the English language. The second boy in the family was Dr. Alfred Ernest Corea who was educated at S. Thomas' College. He passed out as a doctor of medicine
and chose to practise in Chilaw. He was a clever doctor and what was unique about him was that he charged no fees from the poor for his services. '
The English author, Arnold Wright in 'Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon,' published in 1907 wrote: 'Charles Edward has left three sons, the eldest of whom, Charles Edgar, a Proctor, is the unofficial leader of the Chilaw Bar, a member of the Royal Asiatic Society
, and Chairman of the Chilaw Association. In 1899 he was elected by the various native associations of Ceylon, and a public meeting in Colombo
, to proceed to England
as a delegate of the people of Ceylon, to lay before the Imperial Government
a representation against the Waste Lands Ordinance. The second son, Alfred Ernest,is a physician
, and the youngest, Charles Edward Victor, is an Advocate
of the Supreme Court
.'
Sri Lankan author Kumari Jayawardena, writing about the Coreas noted: 'Unconnected to the liquor trade but making their money on plantation ventures was the Corea Family of Chilaw, an influential goyigama group with a history going back to Portuguese rule when they were warriors to Sinhala kings. During Dutch and British rule, members of the family were officials serving the state in various ways and rewarded with titles.Some members of the family took to the legal and medical professions, most notably the sons of Charles Edward Corea (a solicitor), who were active in local politics and in the Chilaw Association which campaigned against British land policies - especially the Waste Lands Ordinance, and for political reforms.
The most active of Corea's sons was C.E.(Charles Edgar) who spoke up for peasant rights and was militant in his stand against the government. He was President of the Ceylon National Congress in 1924. C.E.Corea's brother, Alfred Ernest, was a doctor and the youngest Victor Corea was a lawyer who achieved fame for leading a campaign (and going to jail) in 1922 to protest the Poll Tax on all males; he was the first President of the Ceylon Labour Union led by A.E.Goonesinha and was active in th Ceylon Labour Party. While being professionals and political activists, the Coreas were also important landowners. '
Reverend Canon Ivan Corea, the second son of Dr. James Alfred Ernest Corea was appointed the Rural Dean of Colombo of the Church of Ceylon
. He was also Chaplain
to the Bishop of Colombo
.
visited Chilaw
in 1927, on his first ever visit to Ceylon, he met with Dr. J.A.E. Corea and the Corea Family. Gandhi stayed in a Corea home called 'Sigiriya' in Chilaw. Gandhi visited Chilaw on the invitation of his brothers, C.E.Corea and Victor Corea.
J.A.E.Corea was also an active member of the Chilaw Association, founded by his brothers. Through out the early 1900s, they used the Chilaw Association as a vehicle to campaign for independence from British rule.
Dr. J.A.E.Corea died in Chilaw, Sri Lanka in 1939.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
n public official. He was born in 1870. His father was Charles Edward Bandaranaike Corea
Charles Edward Bandaranaike Corea
-Early life:Charles Edward Bandaranaike Corea was born in Sri Lanka to Cornelia Dias Bandaranaike and Simon Corea. Simon Corea was a son of David Christoffel Corea and was also a Justice of the Peace and succeeded his brother Johannes as Mudaliyar of Alutkuru Korale...
who was a Proctor
Proctor
Proctor, a variant of the word procurator, is a person who takes charge of, or acts for, another. The word proctor is frequently used to describe someone who oversees an exam or dormitory.The title is used in England in three principal senses:...
of the Supreme Court. His mother was Henrietta Seneviratne. J.A.E Corea's father died in 1872 when his youngest son Victor was just one. His wife Henrietta was a widow from the age of 21.
Early life
James Alfred Ernest Corea grew up in the west coast town of ChilawChilaw
Chilaw is a western seaboard town on the island of Sri Lanka.It is a bustling town with a famous fishmarket and beach...
. His mother, Henrietta, sent him to be educated at one of the leading educational institutions in Sri Lanka, St.Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, he excelled in his studies. His younger brother, Victor, also joined him at St.Thomas' College.
Descendant of King Dominicus Corea (Edirille Rala)
James Alfred Ernest Corea was a direct descendant of King Dominicus CoreaDominicus Corea
Dominicus Corea also known as Domingos Corea and Edirille Rala, was the son of Don Jeronimo Corea and Anna Corea. Don Jeronimo Corea was also known as Mudaliyar Vikramasinha, Commander-in-Chief of King Mayadunne's army....
, also known in the Mahavamsa
Mahavamsa
The Mahavamsa is a historical poem written in the Pali language, of the kings of Sri Lanka...
as the 'war hero,' Edirille Rala who was the King of Kotte
Kotte
Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte , also known as Sri Jayawardenapura or Kotte කෝට්ටේ, is the administrative capital of Sri Lanka. It is located beyond the eastern suburbs of the commercial capital Colombo and is often called New Capital Territory...
and Sitawaka.
Family
He was the brother of Charles Edgar CoreaCharles Edgar Corea
-Early life:C.E.Corea was born in the west coast town of Chilaw, in Sri Lanka. His parents were Charles Edward Bandaranaike Corea, a leading lawyer from Chilaw and Henritta Seneviratne. He was educated at the premier institution, Royal College Colombo where he excelled in his studies. He earned a...
and Victor Corea
Victor Corea
Charles Edward Victor Seneviratne Corea was born in Chilaw, Sri Lanka on 29 January 1871 to Charles Edward Bandaranaike Corea, a famous lawyer, and Henrietta Seneviratne. He was the youngest out of five children, three boys and two girls, Charles Edgar Corea, James Alfred Ernest Corea, Agnes Corea...
, Agnes Corea and Evangeline Corea. Charles Edgar Corea and Victor Corea were freedom fighters in Sri Lanka during British rule. C.E. Corea was elected president of the Ceylon National Congress in 1924. Both brothers were also elected members of the Legislative Council of Ceylon
Legislative Council of Ceylon
The Legislative Council of Ceylon was the legislative body of Ceylon established in 1833, along with the Executive Council of Ceylon, on the recommendations of the Colebrooke-Cameron Commission. It was the first form of representative government in the island...
.
The Sunday Times newspaper of Sri Lanka writing about the three brothers, noted: 'Of the three boys, the eldest, Charles Edgar Corea, was educated at Royal College and having excelled in studies and cricket, he passed out as a proctor of the Supreme Court, took to politics and in 1924 was elected president of the Ceylon National Congress. Warden Stone of S. Thomas' College described old Royalist C.E. Corea as one of the finest speakers of the English language. The second boy in the family was Dr. Alfred Ernest Corea who was educated at S. Thomas' College. He passed out as a doctor of medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
and chose to practise in Chilaw. He was a clever doctor and what was unique about him was that he charged no fees from the poor for his services. '
The English author, Arnold Wright in 'Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon,' published in 1907 wrote: 'Charles Edward has left three sons, the eldest of whom, Charles Edgar, a Proctor, is the unofficial leader of the Chilaw Bar, a member of the Royal Asiatic Society
Royal Asiatic Society
The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland was established, according to its Royal Charter of 11 August 1824, to further "the investigation of subjects connected with and for the encouragement of science, literature and the arts in relation to Asia." From its incorporation the Society...
, and Chairman of the Chilaw Association. In 1899 he was elected by the various native associations of Ceylon, and a public meeting in Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
, to proceed to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
as a delegate of the people of Ceylon, to lay before the Imperial Government
Imperial Government
The name imperial government denotes two organs, created in 1500 and 1521 respectively, in the Holy Roman Empire of German Nation to enable a unified political leadership, with input from the Princes...
a representation against the Waste Lands Ordinance. The second son, Alfred Ernest,is a physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, and the youngest, Charles Edward Victor, is an Advocate
Advocate
An advocate is a term for a professional lawyer used in several different legal systems. These include Scotland, South Africa, India, Scandinavian jurisdictions, Israel, and the British Crown dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man...
of the Supreme Court
Supreme court
A supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of many legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, instance court, judgment court, high court, or apex court...
.'
Sri Lankan author Kumari Jayawardena, writing about the Coreas noted: 'Unconnected to the liquor trade but making their money on plantation ventures was the Corea Family of Chilaw, an influential goyigama group with a history going back to Portuguese rule when they were warriors to Sinhala kings. During Dutch and British rule, members of the family were officials serving the state in various ways and rewarded with titles.Some members of the family took to the legal and medical professions, most notably the sons of Charles Edward Corea (a solicitor), who were active in local politics and in the Chilaw Association which campaigned against British land policies - especially the Waste Lands Ordinance, and for political reforms.
The most active of Corea's sons was C.E.(Charles Edgar) who spoke up for peasant rights and was militant in his stand against the government. He was President of the Ceylon National Congress in 1924. C.E.Corea's brother, Alfred Ernest, was a doctor and the youngest Victor Corea was a lawyer who achieved fame for leading a campaign (and going to jail) in 1922 to protest the Poll Tax on all males; he was the first President of the Ceylon Labour Union led by A.E.Goonesinha and was active in th Ceylon Labour Party. While being professionals and political activists, the Coreas were also important landowners. '
Reverend Canon Ivan Corea, the second son of Dr. James Alfred Ernest Corea was appointed the Rural Dean of Colombo of the Church of Ceylon
Church of Ceylon
The Church of Ceylon, which is the Anglican Church in Sri Lanka, was established with the appointment of its first Bishop, Rt Rev James Chapman in 1845 as the Bishop of Colombo.-The Dioceses of Colombo and Kurunegala:...
. He was also Chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
to the Bishop of Colombo
Bishop of Colombo
The Anglican Bishop of Colombo is the bishop of the Diocese of Colombo, a diocese in the Church of Ceylon which is part of the Anglican Communion.- List:#James Chapman D.D. 1845-1861...
.
Meeting Mahatma Gandhi in Chilaw
When the 'Father of India,' Mahatma GandhiMahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
visited Chilaw
Chilaw
Chilaw is a western seaboard town on the island of Sri Lanka.It is a bustling town with a famous fishmarket and beach...
in 1927, on his first ever visit to Ceylon, he met with Dr. J.A.E. Corea and the Corea Family. Gandhi stayed in a Corea home called 'Sigiriya' in Chilaw. Gandhi visited Chilaw on the invitation of his brothers, C.E.Corea and Victor Corea.
J.A.E.Corea was also an active member of the Chilaw Association, founded by his brothers. Through out the early 1900s, they used the Chilaw Association as a vehicle to campaign for independence from British rule.
Dr. J.A.E.Corea died in Chilaw, Sri Lanka in 1939.
See also
- Dominicus CoreaDominicus CoreaDominicus Corea also known as Domingos Corea and Edirille Rala, was the son of Don Jeronimo Corea and Anna Corea. Don Jeronimo Corea was also known as Mudaliyar Vikramasinha, Commander-in-Chief of King Mayadunne's army....
- Charles Edgar CoreaCharles Edgar Corea-Early life:C.E.Corea was born in the west coast town of Chilaw, in Sri Lanka. His parents were Charles Edward Bandaranaike Corea, a leading lawyer from Chilaw and Henritta Seneviratne. He was educated at the premier institution, Royal College Colombo where he excelled in his studies. He earned a...
- Victor CoreaVictor CoreaCharles Edward Victor Seneviratne Corea was born in Chilaw, Sri Lanka on 29 January 1871 to Charles Edward Bandaranaike Corea, a famous lawyer, and Henrietta Seneviratne. He was the youngest out of five children, three boys and two girls, Charles Edgar Corea, James Alfred Ernest Corea, Agnes Corea...
- Ivan Corea
- Vernon CoreaVernon CoreaVernon Corea was a pioneer radio broadcaster with 45 years of public service broadcasting both in Sri Lanka and the UK. He joined Radio Ceylon, South Asia's oldest radio station, in 1956 and later the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation...
- Ernest CoreaErnest Corea-Early life:Corea was born in Kurana, Katunayake in Ceylon.His parents were Reverend Canon Ivan Corea and Ouida Corea, and was the brother of Vernon Corea a pioneering broadcaster with Radio Ceylon/SLBC and Ethinic Minorities Adviser to the BBC. Rev. Corea was Rural Dean of Colombo in the Church...
- List of political families in Sri Lanka
- Edirimanne Corea Family UnionEdirimanne Corea Family UnionThe Edirimanne Corea Family Union is a group set up to 'foster interaction' among the members of the powerful Corea familyin the island of Sri Lanka. The Corea family is one of the leading families of Sri Lanka...
- Church of CeylonChurch of CeylonThe Church of Ceylon, which is the Anglican Church in Sri Lanka, was established with the appointment of its first Bishop, Rt Rev James Chapman in 1845 as the Bishop of Colombo.-The Dioceses of Colombo and Kurunegala:...
- Mahatma Gandhi's visit to Chilaw, Sri LankaMahatma Gandhi's visit to Chilaw, Sri LankaMahatma Gandhi the 'Father of India,' paid a historic visit to Ceylon in 1927 on his first and only visit to the island. He was invited to Chilaw by the famed freedom fighters of Sri Lanka, Charles Edgar Corea and his brother Victor Corea....
External links
- Edirmanne Corea Family Union Facebook Page
- The ECFU Youth Club Facebook Page
- Dominicus Corea - King of Kotte
- The Mahavamsa History of Sri Lanka The Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka
- Facebook Public Figure Page on Edirille Rala - King Dominicus Corea
- Vernon Corea The Golden Voice of Radio Ceylon
- Blog on Vernon Corea 1927-2002
- Mahatma Gandhi and the Corea Family of Chilaw
- References to King Dominicus Corea in Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon by Arnold Wright
- The Family Gatherings of Sri Lankan Society By Dr. Mirando Obeysekere, Daily News, Sri Lanka