Edward Walter Gunatilaka (1864 - 3 September 1930), was a wharf manager for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company in Singapore, a Justice of the Peace, and president of the Sinhalese Association of Malaya.
Biography
editGunatilaka was born in Sri Lanka on 1864, as the son of M. Gunatilaka Mudaleyar.[1] His brother was Piraj Viraj Vejakich.[2] He came to Singapore some years before joining the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company in 1881. He also became the confidential secretary of Sir John Anderson.[3]
Gunatilaka was made a Justice of the Peace in 1924, along with S. Muttucumaru,[4][5] and a Visiting Justice to the prisons in the settlement. He was the president of the Sinhalese Association of Malaya.[6][7][8] He was a committee member of the Raffles College building fund, an honorary treasurer of St. Matthew's Church, and a member of the board of St. Andrew's Mission Hospital.[3]
Gunatilaka retired from his position as a wharf manager for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company on 22 January 1926, after spending 38 years with the company.[9][10][11][12]
Personal life
editGunatilaka married Florence Gertrude.[13] Together, he and his wife had several children.[3] His wife died on 12 August 1923.[14]
Gunatilaka died on 3 September 1930 at his residence on 46 Stevens Road. His funeral was held on the next day in Bidadari Cemetery.[3][15][16]
References
edit- ^ "Malacca Centenary. Interesting Guide to Town And Fort". The Straits Budget. Singapore. 13 June 1924. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ "Johore Reception to Mr. Gunatilaka". The Straits Times. Singapore. 8 July 1924. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Mr. E. W. Gunatilaka". The Straits Budget. Singapore. 11 September 1930. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ "J. Ps Feted". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. Singapore. 5 July 1924. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ "Honouring Two Citizens". The Straits Times. Singapore. 30 June 1924. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ "The Admirals At The Naval Base". Malaya Tribune. Singapore. 18 February 1924. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ "Sinhalese Of Malaya". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (Weekly). Singapore. 26 February 1921. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ "Sinhalese Of Malaya". The Straits Times. Singapore. 25 February 1921. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ "Mr. E. W. Gunatilaka Retires". The Straits Budget. Singapore. 28 January 1926. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ "The Late P. And O. Wharf". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (Weekly). Singapore. 27 January 1926. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ "Mr. Gunatilaka Retires". Malaya Tribune. Singapore. 25 January 1930. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ "Mr. E. W. Gunatilaka Retires". The Straits Times. Singapore. 23 January 1926. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ "Admirals At Naval Base. Warm Welcome by Sinhalese At Seletar". The Straits Budget. Singapore. 22 February 1924. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ "Domestic Occurrence". Malaya Tribune. Singapore. 13 August 1923. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ "The Late Mr. E. W. Gunatilaka". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. Singapore. 5 September 1930. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
- ^ "MR. E. W. Gunatilaka". The Straits Times. Singapore. 4 September 1930. Retrieved 20 June 2022.