Chittampalam Abraham Gardiner

Sir Chittampalam Abraham Gardiner, KSS (1896-1960) was a Sri Lankan businessman.

Biography

Early life

Chittampalam Abraham Gardiner was born on January 6, 1899 or 1896, son of Samuel Vairamuttu Gardiner and Salomapillai Vairamuttu Gardiner, daughter of Gabrielpillai Bastiampillai. The family was originally from Atchuvely and Manipay in Jaffna; later, they lived in Colombo. Chevalier Sir Chittampalam Abraham Gardiner was a Law student when he became interested in business ventures.

Career

Gardiner was in control of several prominent business establishments in the Island. Besides being the pioneer cinema promoter in the country, he was the first ceylonese Chairman of other undertakings including Cargills,Millers and Tuckers (Autodrome). His most successful venture was the Ceylon Theatres Ltd. He chose entertainment as his field of business and founded Ceylon Theatres on 29 September 1928, for which he is remembered today. The concern holds interests all over Ceylon. He was a keen Rotarian, helped many, and made generous endowments to charitable organisations.

In recognition of his valuable services to the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope made him a Knight of St. Sylvester (KSS) in 1947. He was appointed to the Senate of Ceylon, the Upper House of the Parliament in 1947. He was also a keen racehorse owner and his horse won the much-coveted Governors Cup in 1947.

Marriage and children

Sir Chittampalam Abraham Gardiner married Miss Angeline Casie Chetty, daughter of Aloysius Mount Casie Chetty. They adopted a son named Cyril Aloysius Gardiner who was the biological son of Anne Aloysius (née Gardiner) the sister of Sir Chittampalam Gardiner and Santhiapillai Aloysius. Cyril Gardiner married Mavis Henry, daughter of Henry.

Death and afterward

Sir Chittampalam A. Gardiner remained Chairman of Ceylon Theatres until his death in 1960. Tribute was paid to him and his service in the field of entertainment was recognised when Parson’s Road was named “Sir Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha” in his honour.

External links

• http://www.jaffnaroyalfamily.org/chittampalam.php

Persondata
Name	Gardiner, Chittampalam Abraham
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1896
Place of birth
Date of death	1960
Place of death