Charles Henry de Soysa
| Sir Charles Henry de Soysa | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 3rd March 1836 Ceylon, Moratuwa |
| Died | 29 September 1890 (aged 54) |
| Resting place | Holy Emmanuel Church |
| Nationality | Ceylonese |
| Education |
Colombo Academy, S. Thomas' College |
| Occupation | Tea planter and Industrialist |
| Known for | Philanthropy and Entrepreneurship |
| Spouse(s) | Lady Catherine De Soysa |
| Parent(s) | Mudliyar Jeronis de Soysa Dissanayake and Francesca de Soysa Lamatheni |
| Relatives | Bishop Harold de Soysa Sir Wilfred de Soysa Sir Bennet Soysa Arthur de Soysa A. J. R. de Soysa A. H. T. de Soysa |
Sir Charles Henry de Soysa (3 March 1836 – 29 September 1890) was a Ceylonese entrepreneur and philanthropist. He was a pioneering planter, industrialist and was the wealthiest Ceylonese of the 19th century. He was instrumental in the establishment of the first Ceylonese bank, the Moratuwa carpenters guild, the Ceylon Agricultural and National Associations. He is widely regarded as the greatest philanthropist of the island for contributions which includes the De Soysa Maternity Hospital, the Prince and Princess of Wales Colleges, St. Matthias Church, the Model Farm Experimental Station and many other institutions and acts of charity. He was the country's first Knight Bachelor (posthumous).
Charles de Soysa was born at the humble abode of his maternal grandfather in Moratuwa on the 3rd of March 1836. He was the only son of Mudliyar Jeronis de Soysa Dissanayake and Francesca de Soysa Lamaethani (née Cooray). Jeronis de Soysa, an Ayurveda physician, was one of the most successful merchants in Ceylon and established the largest native commercial enterprise of the era. His grandfather Warusahennadige Joseph Soysa (1764-1839), an Ayurveda practitioner, great grandfather Bastian Soysa and earlier ancestors; Don Francisco, Juan and Manual Soysa Muhandiram were salt and grain merchants having interests in the transportation, boat building and the agricultural sector. Their ancestor was the lay custodian of the Devinuwara Temple Matara at the time of its destruction in 1587. Having his primary education at the Palliyagodella Buddhist Temple in Moratuwa, de Soysa went on to gain his secondary education at the Colombo Academy and then became one of the first students of S. Thomas' College, Mutwal before completing his education at home with a tutor. He became an apprentice under his father and uncle Susew de Soysa (1809-1881) in managing the large estates and trading network of the family, starting at Hanguranketa. From a young age De Soysa had displayed a benevolent nature.
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