Arthur V. Dias
Encyclopedia
Arthur Vincent Dias commonly known as Arthur V. Dias, was a philanthropist, temperance movement member and an independence activist of Sri Lanka
(then known as Ceylon). A planter by profession, he is known for the jackfruit
propagation campaign he pioneered throughout the country, which earned him the name "Kos Mama" (Sin. 'Uncle Jack
'). A national hero of Sri Lanka, Dias also helped a number of educational establishments in the country. Before Sri Lanka gained independence from British rule
, he was imprisoned by the colonial government and sentenced to death, although he was later released.
. His father was P. Jeremias Dias, a plantation owner and a franchiser of arrack. His mother was Selestina Rodrigo
, a philanthripist who later helped found the isakha Vidyalaya] Dias received his primary education from the Cyril Jansz Vidyalaya of Panadura, which was then called St. John's College, and his secondary education from St Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia. His father died in 1902. After completing his education, Dias took over his family's plantation businesses. He later married Grace Salgado. The couple had nine children; five daughters and four sons. Dias died on 31 July 1960.Birth and death anniversaries |
issued a decree in 1912, that permitted taverns to be opened throughout the country. This prompted a temperance movement, which was pioneered by some prominent personalities in the country such as Anagarika Dharmapala
, D. S. Senanayake, F.R. Senanayake and D. B. Jayatilaka
. Dias was also a leading member of this group, which became the basis for the independence movement of the country.
When riots broke out in the country in 1915 between Sinhalese and Moors
, Dias, along with the leaders of the temperance movement, was arrested on suspicion of supporting the riots. Dias was sentenced to death, which was later reduced to imprisonment for life. However, he was later fined and released, as were the others. After being freed from prison, he pledged to dedicate himself for gaining independence for Ceylon from British rule. Dias continued his temperance activities after the country gained independence as well, and strongly objected to Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake about serving liquor at the official independence day celebrations.
, as well as a seat in the senate in 1957, offered to him by Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike.
He also contributed significantly to education in the country. Dias was a member of the first board of governors of Visakha Vidyalaya, and helped Ananda College
financially. Other schools that received help from Dias include the Nalanda College
, Dharmaraja College and Dharmasoka College
. He also donated a plot of land for the Sri Sumangala College
in Panadura, on which the school was built.
, mango
, sapodilla
, durian
and golden apple. This campaign earned him the name "Kos Mama" or "Kos Ata Mama".
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
(then known as Ceylon). A planter by profession, he is known for the jackfruit
Jackfruit
The jackfruit is a species of tree in the Artocarpus genus of the mulberry family . It is native to parts of Southern and Southeast Asia. It is the national fruit of Bangladesh, . The jackfruit tree is believed to be indigenous to the southwestern rain forests of India...
propagation campaign he pioneered throughout the country, which earned him the name "Kos Mama" (Sin. 'Uncle Jack
Uncle Jack
Uncle Jack was a children's TV show which aired on BBC1 in the early 1990s. The show's hero, Jack Green, and his family are on a mission to save the planet...
'). A national hero of Sri Lanka, Dias also helped a number of educational establishments in the country. Before Sri Lanka gained independence from British rule
British Ceylon
British Ceylon refers to British rule prior to 1948 of the island territory now known as Sri Lanka.-From the Dutch to the British:Before the beginning of the Dutch governance, the island of Ceylon was divided between the Portuguese Empire and the Kingdom of Kandy, who were in the midst of a war for...
, he was imprisoned by the colonial government and sentenced to death, although he was later released.
Personal life
Arthur Vincent Dias was born on 10 February 1886 to a wealthy family in PanaduraPanadura
- History :The historic debate 'Panadura Vadaya' was held in this place which is a milestone of the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka with the initiative of the ven. Migettuwaththe Gunananda Thera.- People and Culture :Panadura is home to about 100,000 citizens...
. His father was P. Jeremias Dias, a plantation owner and a franchiser of arrack. His mother was Selestina Rodrigo
Celestina Dias
Celestina Dias , also known as Mrs. Jeremias Dias, was the wife of Jeremias Dias of Panadura, who is known for beginning the premier Buddhist School for girls in Sri Lanka, Visakha Vidyalaya, located in Bambalapitiya, Colombo.- References :* H. L. Seneviratne...
, a philanthripist who later helped found the isakha Vidyalaya] Dias received his primary education from the Cyril Jansz Vidyalaya of Panadura, which was then called St. John's College, and his secondary education from St Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia. His father died in 1902. After completing his education, Dias took over his family's plantation businesses. He later married Grace Salgado. The couple had nine children; five daughters and four sons. Dias died on 31 July 1960.Birth and death anniversaries |
Temperance movement
The British colonial government of CeylonBritish Ceylon
British Ceylon refers to British rule prior to 1948 of the island territory now known as Sri Lanka.-From the Dutch to the British:Before the beginning of the Dutch governance, the island of Ceylon was divided between the Portuguese Empire and the Kingdom of Kandy, who were in the midst of a war for...
issued a decree in 1912, that permitted taverns to be opened throughout the country. This prompted a temperance movement, which was pioneered by some prominent personalities in the country such as Anagarika Dharmapala
Anagarika Dharmapala
Anagarika Dharmapala was a leading figure of Buddhism in the twentieth century. He was one of the founding contributors of Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalism and Protestant Buddhism...
, D. S. Senanayake, F.R. Senanayake and D. B. Jayatilaka
Don Baron Jayatilaka
Sir Don Baron Jayatilaka was a Sri Lankan educationalist, politician and diplomat....
. Dias was also a leading member of this group, which became the basis for the independence movement of the country.
When riots broke out in the country in 1915 between Sinhalese and Moors
Sri Lankan Moors
The Sri Lankan Moors are the third largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka comprising 8% of the country's total population . They are predominantly followers of Islam. The Moors trace their ancestry to Arab traders who settled in Sri Lanka some time between the 8th and 15th centuries...
, Dias, along with the leaders of the temperance movement, was arrested on suspicion of supporting the riots. Dias was sentenced to death, which was later reduced to imprisonment for life. However, he was later fined and released, as were the others. After being freed from prison, he pledged to dedicate himself for gaining independence for Ceylon from British rule. Dias continued his temperance activities after the country gained independence as well, and strongly objected to Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake about serving liquor at the official independence day celebrations.
Nationalism and philanthropy
Dias wore a white banian and cloth instead of western clothing, and encouraged writing and signing in Sinhala. He became a national hero after the country gained independence. He had declined a knighthood offered by Governor Andrew CaldecottAndrew Caldecott
Sir Andrew Caldecott, GCMG, KBE was a British colonial administrator.-Early Life, Education:Sir Andrew Caldecott was born on 26 October 1884 in Kent, England. His father was a cleric...
, as well as a seat in the senate in 1957, offered to him by Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike.
He also contributed significantly to education in the country. Dias was a member of the first board of governors of Visakha Vidyalaya, and helped Ananda College
Ananda College
Ananda College , Colombo which is considered as the leading National school in Sri Lanka, was established on November 1, 1886, by the Buddhist Theosophical Society led by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott...
financially. Other schools that received help from Dias include the Nalanda College
Nalanda College
Nalanda College is a Buddhist school in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The college was established by P. de S...
, Dharmaraja College and Dharmasoka College
Dharmasoka College
Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda, is a leading mix school in Sri Lanka. The college was established in 1913.It is one of the educational institute supported by the Buddhist Theosophical Society led by Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, and accordingly is one of Sri Lanka's oldest schools...
. He also donated a plot of land for the Sri Sumangala College
Sri Sumangala College
Sri Sumangala College, in Panadura, Sri Lanka, was founded on March 3, 1909 at in memory of Ven.Weligama Sri Sumangala Thero, who played an important role in Sri Lankan Buddhism. It is one of the oldest schools in the country. It is a national school, i.e., it is controlled by the central...
in Panadura, on which the school was built.
Jackfruit propagation campaign
Dias started a jackfruit propagation campaign on 11 June 1918, with the aim of planting a million jackfruit trees. Having imported jackfruit seedlings from Johore, Malaysia, he proceeded to distribute packets of seedlings and plants free of charge. Although his campaign mainly focused on distributing jackfruit seedlings, he also distributed other plants such as papawPapaya
The papaya , papaw, or pawpaw is the fruit of the plant Carica papaya, the sole species in the genus Carica of the plant family Caricaceae...
, mango
Mango
The mango is a fleshy stone fruit belonging to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous tropical fruiting trees in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The mango is native to India from where it spread all over the world. It is also the most cultivated fruit of the tropical world. While...
, sapodilla
Sapodilla
Manilkara zapota, commonly known as the sapodilla, is a long-lived, evergreen tree native to southern Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. An example natural occurrence is in coastal Yucatan in the Petenes mangroves ecoregion, where it is a subdominant plant species...
, durian
Durian
The durian is the fruit of several tree species belonging to the genus Durio and the Malvaceae family . Widely known and revered in southeast Asia as the "king of fruits", the durian is distinctive for its large size, unique odour, and formidable thorn-covered husk...
and golden apple. This campaign earned him the name "Kos Mama" or "Kos Ata Mama".