Charles Henry de Soysa

(1836-1890)

Ceylonese businessmen and philanthropist

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Charles Henry de Soysa, JP (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, establishing infant-maternal healthcare and secular education for girls in the country. He would have been the island's first to be awarded the honor of Knight Bachelor. Having died prior to be knighted, his widow was given the rare honor of the use of the style and dignity of wife of the Knight Bachelor and was known as Lady Catherine De Soysa.