Thome Rodrigo (prince)

Thome Rodrigo (born around mid-1500s), of the Karava caste, was one of the three local nobles who signed the Convention of Malvana in 1597, which was an agreement between the Portuguese and the Sinhalese chiefs.

The descendants of Thome Rodrigo were the Rodrigo Family of Panadura, who were one of the wealthiest families in Sri Lanka. They created the 'Rodrigo Family Friend in need Society', which is the oldest family society of Sri Lanka. It was founded in 1823. His notable descendents include Celestina Dias, the main female philanthropist of Ceylon, sportsmen Mahesh Rodrigo and Aravinda de Silva and many independence activists including Arthur V. Dias, Wilmot A. Perera, Cholomondeley Goonewardene and Leslie Goonewardene. All of whom were born to wealth, and gave much, if not all of it away by death.[1]