Turret Road Kollupitiya Seventy Five Years Ago.

by Hugh Karunanayake

Turret Road Kollupitiya is now known as Anagaraika Dharmapala Mawata in honour of a prominent Buddhist who spearheaded the Buddhist revival movement at the beginning of the twentieth century. The road is in the heart of the Cinnamon Gardens/ Kollupitiya suburbs which are now the most elite residential areas in Colombo.

The City’s elite residential area was originally in Mutwal around the harbour. With the opening of the SouthWest Breakwater, in the Colombo harbour, the primacy of Colombo as a city gradually developed, and the elite residential areas were thereafter in Cinnamon Gardens, Kollupitiya, and Havelock Town. Many professionals, and plantation owners chose to build their mansions in this area.

Chief among them was Jacob de Mel who was known as an astute entrepreneur engaged in the development of broad acres in cococnut, as well as being a prominent owner of graphite mines in the Kurunegala areas. His coconut holdings are estimated to have been nearly 5,000 acres in extent. Jacob de Mel also owned almost the entirety of land on one side of Turret Road commencing from Galle Road on the left hand side proceeding to to Horton Place almost up to Castle Street.

His estate extended to the Hyde Park, Hunupitiya areas as well. The patriarch had a large brood of children comprising nine daughters and five sons and he had enough prime Colombo property in addition to his vast coconut holdings in the Kurunegala District, to give as dowries for his nine daughters as well as providing for his five sons.

His daughters were married to Sir James Peiris, C.E.A. Dias, ARH Canekeratne,Charles Peiris, Henry Peiris, Dr JSR Goonewardene, AFR Goonewardene, W.L. P. de Soysa, and ???? De Soysa. His five sons included Henry de Mel, FB de Mel, and. Frank de Mel, and they all built their homes in Horton Place. Henry de Mel in “Elsemere”, FB de Mel in “Villa de Mel” the patriarch’s own home, and Frank in “Trentino”,also in Horton Place. All the daughters of Jacob de Mel built their residences on Turret Road and adjacent areas such as Hyde Park, and Park Road..

Grand Homes such as “Rippleworth”, “Canela Villa”, “Fincastle”, ” Elscourt Manor” all on Turret Road were built by the daughters and their spouses on land originally part of the Jacob de Mel prime holding.At the turn of the Twentieth Century, Turret Road was a narrow gravel road. Yet, it was one of the principal thoroughfares in the fast growing metropolis of Colombo, linking the Western seaboard with the semi urban hinterland comprising, Borella, Kotte, and Rajagiriya areas. Turret Road was widened as part of the Colombo Municipal Council’s road development scheme in 1922.

The Nine Daughters Of Jacob De Mel At A Family Wedding In 1924

It was in the late 19th Century that the shift from popular residential areas like Mutwal and Hulftsdorf took place. The southward shift was largely to uninhabited areas of Kollupitiya and Cinnamonn Gardens. Wealthy families associated with the political, social, and economic development of Sri Lanka in the 20th Century were resident in homes along Turret Road. Some of the better known homes include Calverly House, the home of the famous lawyer Frederick Dornhorst.

Rippleworth, the home of Sir James Peiris (son in law of Jacob de Mel), legislator and pioneer social reformer, Turret House built by FW Bois, company Director, and later owned by Col TG Jayewardene, Sudassana, the home of Sir Gerard Wijeyekoon, President of the Senate, Canela Villa, owned by CEA Dias ( son in law of Jacob de Mel, and sometime tenanted by Alistair Ferguson, owner of the. Ceylon Observer, newspaper), Fairlight, the home of Felix de Silva, partner of the legal firm De Silva and Mendis, Vijjayantha, the home of EW Jayewardene, father of JR Jayewardene, Elscourt Manor, owned by Henry A Pieris ( son in law of Jacob de Mel) and one time home of the Orient Club, were all homes on Turret Road.

The commercial part of Turret Road was then largely confined to the western end at the intersection with Galle Road, where the first traffic lights in the country were in operation from about 75 years ago. At this junction facing Galle Road was the showrooms of Hemachandra Bros, the long standing firm of jewellers. Adjoining it was New Coop, the prominent store in Colombo, then, for artist’s materials, canvasses, atlases, and prints. Next door was the Bombay Sweet Mart famous for its sherberts and faludas.The Kollupitiya Cooperative Store stood next, followed by the Municipal market. The ” Colpetty Market” as it was then known among Colombo’s diplomatic corps, was then the place in Colombo to buy a good fillet , pork chop, or lingus (spicy sausage) or “bangers” as expats called it!.

On the opposite side, at the corner with Galle Road stood Turret Court a large two storied commercial building owned originally by Justice VM Fernando and later inherited by his son JLM Fernando, one time Chairman of Air Ceylon. Turret Court housed the Colombo Dye Works, run by the Jilla family, Albert Edirisinghe, the optician, Wijaya Stores, the only independent motor spare parts shop outside of Panchikawatte-( the auto alley of Ceylon), and Victory Silk Stores well known for its sarees and Arrow shirts.

Next to Turret Court stood another building also owned by Justice VM Fernando and inherited by his other son, the former Chief Justice HNG Fernando. Gabriel Perera, the legendary gentleman’s barber of the time, operated out of this building. Prime Minister DS Senanayake was a regular patron at Gabriel’s in the days when national leaders went about their daily chores like any other member of the community. Gabriel, like most barbers was very chatty with his clients, and DS was no exception. It has been said that as a result of Gabriel’s seemingly innocent but incisive probing of the PM amidst the snip and snap of his scissors, had led to DS unwittingly baring inside information relating to matters of state. It was no surprise therefore to see hardened journos ( including bald ones) lining up for haircuts on the day that DS was scheduled for his regular “tonsorial tussle.”

Victoria stores, the liquor merchants were in the same building next to Gabriel’s. Also in the same building was Dr Sam Gunawardene’s Dental Surgery. Further west were the premises of John and Co photographers, and then the Shell Service Station. These buildings have been replaced by the Liberty Plaza a large shopping and apartment complex which came up in the late 1970s.Opposite the Shell Service station and beside Duplication Road were some shops which were demolished in the 1950s to make way for the Liberty Cinema built by the Abdul Cader family. At the time it was constructed, there was some controversy around allegations that the new building encroached on public land. This however was investigated and cleared by the Municipal Council. Art enthusiasts especially George Keyt afficianados would be interested to know that when the Liberty Cinema was built, there were two stained glass images created by George Keyt and set on either side of the stage.

The residential sector of Turret Road on its northern side commenced with No: 41, the early home of Dr Noel Bartholomeusz, the well known surgeon of the day. Adjoining his home was Fairlight, the single storied but sprawling home of Felix de Silva, partner of the legal firm De Silva and Mendis. Henry Peiris a son in law of Jacob de Mel owned it earlier. He also owned the homes Elscourt and Fincastle, further west on Turret Road. Fairlight stood on a large block of land, the house standing well behind its spacious front lawn. Shaw Wallace and Hedges leased out premises No 49 for many years, using it as the home for its Managing Director, Garry Shattock and later Prema Fernando.

Twainway, which stood at the conjoining point of Turret Road with Greenpath was the home of Gordon E W Jansz who was Chief Accountant of the Ceylon Government Railway. Beside it stood the home of LN Joseph Chief Clerk of the Senate. His son Moritz lives in Melbourne. A few homes away was Roshanara the home of NK Choksy QC, a leading civil lawyer of the time and father of Kasi Choksy, a former Minister of Finance. A couple of houses away at No 60 lived Christie Ferdinando, a businessman. Next door was Carlton Lodge the home of Carlton Corea. This home was constructed on the grounds of Turret House, which belonged to Carlton Corea’s father-in-law Col TG Jayewardene. The Colonel’s other son-in-law Fairlie Wijemanne also had his home built on the grounds of Turret House.

Carlton Lodge has been for over 40 years the home of the Capri Club. Prior to its tenancy, the Ambassador for Burma in Ceylon, H.E Sao Boon Waat lived there. His wife Shirley was shot and killed in this house allegedly by the Ambassador over a clandestine affair she had. He was recalled to Burma where he was charged with her murder and imprisoned. No charges were laid in Sri Lanka as the ambassador claimed diplomatic immunity and on the grounds that the woman died of a heart attack, a claim that was supported by a Sri Lankan doctor!!

During the Second World War, Turret House was the home of the Upper School of Royal College, Carlton Lodge housed the lower school. The Principal’s office and administration block

was housed in Sudassana, the home of Sir Gerard Wijeykoon which stood opposite to Turret House . The science laboratory was in Firdoshi also on Turret Road beyond Carlton Lodge. School assemblies were held in open air on the spacious grounds of Turret House. The school moved back to its own home in Racecourse Avenue in April 1946.

On the northern side of Turret Road at No 51 lived GL Cooray the son in law of Sir James Peiris. Next door was Savitri the home of CEA Dias, son in law of Jacob de Mel, and a prominent tea and rubber planter. His son Stanley Dias lived there later. Stanley’s son Michael Dias captained the Royal College cricket team in 1960, and now lives a retired leisurely life in Colombo. Savitri was previously known as Canela Villa the home of Alistair Ferguson, a former proprietor of the Ceylon Observer newspaper, and founder of Fergusons Ceylon Directory. The house was a spacious single storied building.

Alvis Place named after Arthur Alvis, a well known resident, led from Turret Road to the Polwatte area where Arthur Alvis lived in his home Newlands on Alvis Place, over a hundred years ago. He was a member for the Kollupitiya Ward in the Municipal Council, and a respected member of the local community.

Next to Alvis Place was Rippleworth, the home built by Sir James Peiris and which was the location for many political and reformist meetings during colonial days. After the death of Sir James in 1930, his son, Leonard, lived in this home till his death in 1954. It was since the venue of a school, but its present use not known. The younger son of Sir James, Herbert, or better known as Devar Surya Sena lived in a separate house adjoining the grounds of Rippleworth on Alwis Place. Next door to Rippleworth was Haslemere the home of DP Cooray. Two doors next was Firdoshi the home of Dr Rustomjee. At the intersection with General’s Lake Road was Sudassana, the home of Sir Gerard Wijeyekoon. On the opposite side facing Sudassana was Shanthi the house then occupied by TSV Tillekeratne, an electrical engineer.

Beyond General’s Lake Road was the Montessori School run by Carmen and Joyce Gunasekera.It was probably the first Montessori school in Ceylon and operated for many years. Aunty Joyce and Aunty Carmen, as they were fondly called by the hundreds of tiny tots that were catered for by these two ladies have been responsible for laying the foundation to many a brilliant career of children of the time. Many have since reached eminence in all walks of life in Sri Lanka.

Further away were the showrooms and workshops of Rowlands Ltd, and British Car Co standing on property leased from Justice ARH Canekeratne, a son in law of Jacob de Mel. Thereafter were the homes of the Macan Markars including Sir Muirburn in which the patriarch Sir Mohamed Macan Markar lived in, having moved from Villa Istanbul on Galle Road, earlier. Sir Mohamed’s grandson Hussain captained the Royal College cricket team in 1965.The son AV Macan Markar lived in the house called Park View, suitably named, as it fronted Victoria Park. On the opposite side of Turret Road between the areas bounded by Flower Road in the west, and Edinburgh Creascent on the East were homes that included that of Dr RB Lenora, later appointed to the Senate. Alongside was Mr Donald Obeysekera’s house Ascot. VA de Mauny son of Count de Mauny of the island of Taprobane, off Weligama, lived in his home Broxmead. Which was next to to the Macan Markars. De Mauny was a director of Rosehaugh and Co, which had its stores adjacent to his home.

On the eastern side, the grounds of Victoria Park fronted Turret Road. On the opposite side was Park Road leading from Turret Road towards Slave Island. Beyond the entrance to Park Road at 185 Turret Road was the home of  JLM Fernando. Two doors away was Vaijayantha, home of EW Jayewardene brother of Col TG Jayewardene of Turret House. EW’s son JR was of course the first elected President of Sri Lanka. During World War 2 it was the headquarters of Radio Seac and later rebuilt into a larger building used for the Chinese Embassy for many years.

Further away were two renowned palatial homes Fincastle and Elscourt Manor belonging to Henry Peiris, son in law of Jacob de Mel, and descendent from Jeronis Peiris. Elscourt Manor was home to the Orient Club, before it moved back into its premises on Racecourse Avenue.It was also a recreation centre for service personnel during the Second World War. Its facilities were described thus: ” main lounges and sun lounges,smoke room and bar, billiard room and two shops, one for necessities, and one for gifts.There is also a barber’s shop, a fine valet service, and an information bureau”

The activities in Elscourt Manor by servicemen during the war years probably irked the neighbours to the point that a high brick wall up to roof level was constructed, preventing sight of any activity from either inside or out. Elscourt was demolished in the nineteen fifties, and on part of its grounds, two eminent surgeons of the day, Drs P.R. Anthonisz, and MVP Peiris built their homes. Fincastle was later the office of the Lady Lochore Fund established by Rev CEV Nathanaielsz to assist government and mercantile service employees in financial difficulties.

Almost at the end of Turret Road on the northern side, facing the Town Hall, stood Calverly House, for many years the home of leading lawyer Frederick Dornhorst, QC. On the porch of the house was the inscribed figure 1868, which suggests that the house may have been built in that year. If so, Calverly House may be one of the first buildings on Turret Road. It is today the home of the Buddhist Ladies College, established by Mohandas de Mel.

Perhaps the last building on that side of the road was the pharmaceutical branch of Cargills Ltd, later taken over by the Ceylon Pharmaceutical Company, as its key outlet Osu Sala. The Cinnamon garden Baptist Church, and the manse on the opposite side mark the end of Turret Road. The Ferguson Memorial Hall named after Mr and Mrs Alistair Ferguson, and erected by their sons, son in law, and nephew in around 1910 stands within the grounds of the church property.

It is not known whether Turret Road derived its name from Turret House, or vice versa. It has since lost its residential character, and is a mix of commercial sprawl and residential sub divisions of land which was part of the many stately homes that lined this wonderful thoroughfare. Gone are the spacious gardens and lawns that typified lifestyles of the wealthy in an era characterised by opulent and gracious living.

*( Based on an essay written by the writer for The Ceylankan, the Journal of the Ceylon Society of Australia #17 of February 2002)