He believed in taking care of orphans

Singha Weerasekera a renowned business personality and a philanthropist passed away at the age of 91 years on May 26, 2021.

He was the founder of Peter Weerasekera Children’s Home, Dambuwa in the Gampaha district. The home is managed by the Trustees of the Peter Weerasekera Foundation under the supervision of the Government’s Department of Probation and Childcare Services. 

Singha firmly believed that taking care of orphans and giving them their much needed resources is a huge part of societal values. Realizing that homes for such kids are a pressing need in Sri Lanka, the doors to the Peter Weerasekera Children’s Home were officially opened in 1959.

His efforts in managing this home had been appreciated and encouraged by his family and hundreds of other donors and voluntry workers.

He was born as Jagathsingha Chandrawansa Weerasekera on August 1, 1930 at the Dambuwa Walawwa, Pilikuttuwa. This is a property owned by his parents Mudliyar Peter Paul Weerasekera and Dona Francina Jayakody. Singha grew up in this beautiful and spacious Walawwa. Unfortunately both his parents passed away when Sinha had just turned 6 years.

Little Singha became the sole survivor of the family. Neil Hewavitharne, a member of the State Council during this time, was appointed as Singha’s guardian.

His wife Piyasoma was Singha’s cousin. With their six children, Singha started a new journey in his life. He began his first school days at Visakha Vidyalaya and soon entered the Royal College Colombo. From Royal College he enrolled at Trinity College Kandy. 

At Trinity College Singha played as flanker of the Trinity College First XV Rugby Team in 1949.
Singha went to Australia in 1952 as a Colombo Plan Scholar. Later he obtained a degree in Agriculture at the Gatton College of Agriculture in Australia. 

After returning from Australia Singha married Mala Hewavitharne in 1956.

Later he joined H. Don Carolis and Sons Ltd. He worked as a Marketing Executive. Later Singha became its Managing Director and the Chairman.

He also served as the Chairman of the National Lotteries Board and as Chairman of Ceylon Match Company. He was the Founder Chairman of Parquet Ceylon Ltd, Founder Chairman, Metal Pressing and Engineering Company,  and Founder Chairman Mitsui Construction Co Ltd. 
Singha had travelled the globe widely.

Singha had written in his Memoir, since he lost his parents at the age of six, that he had only a faint memory of them. However, he was every grateful to them for what he got in his life through a trustee. Therefore, he wanted to donate their ancestral home – the sprawling walawwa – in honour of his parents. On the anniversary of his mother’s passing on March 5, 1959 the Peter Weerasekera Children’s Home was opened by Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike.  Singha was also the Vice President Mahabodhi Society, Board Member Dharmapala Trust and Board Member Mudliyar Don Carolis Hewavitarne Scholarship Trust.
May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.
A well wisher