Dr. Nirmala M. Pieris on the Abeyesundere Family of Galle

Every family has a story tucked between generations, some stretching so far back that they slip into obscurity, like a pearl beneath the tides, waiting for someone to notice its glow. When Dr Nirmala M. Pieris decided to trace the path of the Abeyesundere lineage of Galle, she was stepping into a narrative that demanded to be remembered.

- BY KAVYA THATHSARANI

Her new book, The Abeyesundere Family of Galle, launched on the 14th of November 2025, becomes the first deep and carefully woven account of a family whose notable influence shaped communities, churches, and countless lives across more than two centuries (1805-2025). What began as a simple curiosity evolved into a journey that bridges the past with the present and reminds us why heritage still matters.

To step closer to the soul of this story, we turned to Dr Nirmala's reflections, as she unfolded the discoveries and quiet truths that shaped this timeless project.

WHAT FIRST INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THE ABEYESUNDERE FAMILY OF GALLE?

The inspiration came from the many Abeyesundere family gatherings we had in recent years. Despite these get-togethers, most of us knew very little about our own heritage beyond the fact that Pemyano William Abeyesundere, my great-great-grandfather, was a key ancestor and a well-known philanthropist in Galle. I became increasingly curious to learn more about the family's history, especially because my maternal grandmother was an Abeyesundere, and her father, Fred Abeyesundere, was the son of William Abeyesundere. This personal connection motivated me to explore and document the family story more deeply, especially since the Abeyesundere legacy had never been formally recorded before.

GALLE HAS SUCH A RICH CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND. HOW DID YOU CAPTURE THAT SPIRIT IN YOUR STORYTELLING?