Sir James and Lady Peiris
Sir James Peiris was born on 20 December 1856. A brilliant student, he studied at Colombo Academy, now Royal College, before attending St John’s College, Cambridge where he achieved first-class results in Law and Moral Sciences.
In 1882 he became the first Asian President of the Cambridge Union. On returning to Ceylon, he built a successful legal and public service career.
Social service as a family commitment
Sir James married Grace, the eldest daughter of Jacob and Helena de Mel. Together, they supported a wide range of social services including milk centres, a medical clinic, crèches, an industrial school, night schools and a workmen’s resort.
The Siripala Road property
The couple purchased a spacious property at Siripala Road, Mount Lavinia and used it for charitable purposes, including as a convalescent home for children. After later serving other community functions, the property became the Sir James and Lady Peiris Cheshire Home in 1966.
National contribution
Sir James was a prominent constitutional reformer and public figure. At the time of his death on 5 May 1930, he was Vice President of the Legislative Council of Ceylon.