B.P. de Silva: The legacy of Asia’s finest jewelers

Abstract

B.P. de Silva is a heritage classic family of Sri Lanka. Balage Porolis de Silva, a Sinhalese Buddhist of Magalle on the South Coast of Sri Lanka, founded the company. In 1872, he landed in Singapore and rented a shop for twenty dollars for a month in High Street, and started a business of selling jewelry, carvings, and lacquerware. According to the information collected through a survey of literature and according to the pre-interviews of later generations, when Mr. Silva started his business, he had only two showcases, three tables, and three cupboards. Eventually, he became famous among European and Chinese customers for his honesty and integrity. Because of guaranteed authenticity, he got many chances to serve under several Royal patronages included King Chulalongkorn of Siam, Sultan Ibrahim of Johore, the Duke of Connaught, King Edward VII and Queen Victoria of Great Britain. Therefore, no doubt B.P. de Silva has become a legacy as one of Asia's finest jewelers. In 1930, after B.P. de Silva passed away, the business down to his daughters through their husbands and a group of trusted managers. Under the consultancy of the 5th generation, shareholders, and dedication of the staff members, the business grew more widely and become a renowned purveyor of luxury goods known as B.P. De Silva Holdings in Singapore and De Silva in Malaysia. Today, the classic techniques and craft have combined with the latest technology to create pieces. Ten Percent of the company group’s profits were deposited into a fund that used to benefit people at all levels. Therefore, the government should invite companies like this to join their hands with the motherland and it will help to attract more and more foreign exchange businesses to the country, which has a growing local presence.