Jacob De Mel

For the related same name, see Lakdasa De Mel.

Lakshapathiya Mahavidanalage Jacob De Mel
Born19 August 1839 (1839-08-19)
Moratuwa
Died1 April 1919 (1919-05) (aged 79)
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationS. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia
Royal College, Colombo
Occupation(s)business personality, entrepreneur
Known forPhilanthropy, Entrepreneurship
Spouse(Dona) Helena Ferdinando (m. 1869-1906)
Children14 (9 daughters & 5 sons including Henry De Mel)
RelativesJames Peiris (son-in-law)

Lakshapathiya Mahavidanalage Jacob De Mel (1839–1919), also simply known as V. Jacob De Mel, was a pioneering Ceylonese mining magnate and philanthropist who is still regarded as one of the finest entrepreneurs to have emerged in Sri Lanka.[1][2] His 100th death anniversary was remembered in Sri Lanka on 1 April 2019, coinciding with April Fools' Day.[3]

  1. ^ Allister MacMillan, ed. (1928). Seaports of India and Ceylon. Asian Educational Services. pp. 439–40. ISBN 978-8120619951.
  2. ^ Wright, Arnold (1999). Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon: Its History, People, Commerce, Industries, and Resources. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 9788120613355.
  3. ^ "Remembering Jacob De Mel, a century later". Daily News. Retrieved 1 April 2019.