A Splash of Honey by Christabelle Corea-Aturupane A heartfelt journey through a mother’s eventful childhood

Christabelle Corea-Aturupane in her youth (Source: Corea Family Website)

By Dr. Chonira Aturupane

“Books are the windows to the soul, and a long life is the library” (Author unknown).
My mother, Christabelle Corea-Aturupane launched her book, A Splash of Honey, on August 16th, 2025, at 90 years of age. In addition to being a writer with published writings and poetry, she is also a talented musician and artist. She plays the piano, organ, and piano accordion, and has participated in two art exhibitions at the Lionel Wendt Gallery in Colombo.
My mother is an avid reader and storyteller par excellence, with an unparalleled gift for the art of the narrative. Books and our mother’s stories were a constant presence throughout my brothers’ and my childhood. When our young cousins visited, our favourite pastime was to huddle together on a bed, hanging onto her every word as she brought enchanting tales to life. She wove tales of magic and adventure reminiscent of Enid Blyton and transported us to magical realms and fantasy worlds. As we grew up, my mother often shared vivid stories of her childhood and the people who shaped her world. There was enchantment in her ability to bond generations through tales that never seem to grow old. It is only fitting that my mother’s stories will now forever live in her book.
My mother was born in 1935 in Chilaw and hails from the eminent Corea family. Her book, A Splash of Honey is a book of memory, a “kaleidoscope of reminiscences and ‘olden day stories’ of the people who inhabit her childhood memories. The book also provides a glimpse into the culture and customs of a bygone era when Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon.” The inspiration for the title of the book was a legend about how the Sinhalese name for Chilaw - Halawatha - was derived. The story goes that King Kavan Tissa’s courtiers were transporting honey from Negombo to Anuradhapura, when “they shook off the bees from the honeycomb, spilling some honey in the process” at the place now known as Chilaw. This led to the name Halawatha, “the garden (watha) where the honeybees were shaken (hala) off the honeycomb!” and to the title of my mother’s book, A Splash of Honey.

A Splash of Honey’ comprises engaging stories of fame, romance and tragedy

‘A Splash of Honey’ is a heartfelt journey through my mother’s childhood eloquently unfolding through various chapters that not only depict significant events, but also reflect the emotions embedded in each memory. The first chapter sets the scene by describing Chilaw, the town where my mother was born and spent her childhood. Some of her paintings that were inspired by the natural beauty of the flora in Chilaw and surrounding towns are reproduced in her book. The next chapter relates the story of my mother’s immediate family – her parents, Ashley and Ena Corea, and her seven siblings – growing up together in a household filled with the sounds of music. Subsequent chapters discuss the Corea families that lived in Chilaw during my mother’s childhood and their dwellings. These include the famous Ceylonese freedom fighters Charles Edgar (C.E.) and Victor Corea (my mother’s granduncles), the renowned diplomat, Sir Claude Corea (my mother’s uncle), as well as the ornate Corea home, Sigiriya, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed when he visited Chilaw in 1927. Interwoven throughout her narrative are engaging stories of fame, romance, and tragedy.

Wedding group of Ashley and Ena Corea: bridesmaids seated from left, Autley Corea (Bridegroom’s sister) and Ira Corea (Bride’s sister), groomsman standing far right, Hershel Pandittesekera

Sigiriya-The house that Mahatma Gandhi stayed at when he visited Chilaw in 1927

A couple of chapters hilariously detail the antics of a favourite uncle of my mother’s and her brother, who was the embodiment of the mischievous William Brown, a fictional character by Richmal Crompton. The remaining chapters unfold a halcyon time of playmates, pen pals, pastimes, and treasured moments in a world devoid of digital distractions. The final chapter shares my mother’s journey into adulthood, and her marriage to my father, Herbert Aturupane, leading to a new phase of her life. The book also documents the lineage of several Corea families and collects dispersed photographs of Corea families in one location. It is my mother’s “legacy to her children, grandchildren, relatives, friends and generations to come.”
With each page of my mother’s book, I hope readers find the same joy that I have experienced all my life in my mother’s stories. Like the golden sweetness of honey, my mother’s words are a reminder of the warmth of family and friendship, and the nostalgia of memories.

The author’s paintings which were inspirited by her childhood in Chilaw. On left is the painting of a Nelum Mal (lotus) and on right a Nil Manel (Blue water lily) 

(The writer is the author’s daughter)