W.F.De Silva & CO. Ltd. has survived for generations as a family owned business. Its longstanding success is attributable to the dedication of its owners and especially its founder, Mr. W.F.De Silva.

Born in Galle, Wimalasundera Fronis de Silva (W.F. de Silva) was a quick witted businessman. He discovered the tremendous market potential for jewellery & curios in Colombo, the capital city of British Colonial Sri Lanka. He premiered the gem & jewellery business in 1902 at a prime location in Chatham Street, Colombo and his continued vision took him to Dalada Vidiya, Kandy, a few years later where he opened a second shop. Situated in the heart of the primary business centers in the country, W.F.De Silva's shops were conveniently accessible to the general public including the British Forces who would often drop by with much eagerness & curiosity.

His untimely death brought his young son to manage the businesses. Yet in teens, Piyatilleke de Silva Wimalasundera shouldered his father's business uninterruptedly while taking over the responsibilities of the family. However, the times were not so friendly because of the Second World War that was ensuing. And in a striking move the British Army had established the South Asian command in Kandy with a heavy fortification of soldiers. Mr. Wimalasundera's nerves directed him to concentrate more on the Kandy shop which paved dividends immediately. The Kandy shop was a favorite place to hunt for mementos for the ocupying British soldiers. Mr. Wimalasundera never failed to identify the needs of the customers and replenish the stocks with new designs and items of jewellery and curios. The Admiral of the Royal Navy and Head of Combined Operations, Lord Louise Mountbatten, was among the many distinguished customers that frequented the Kandy shop. His fondness of Mr. Wimalasundera was such that not a single vacation began without a visit to the shop at Dalada Vidiya, Kandy. W.F.De Silva & Co. Ltd. jewellery and curios were swiftly but elegantly making their way in to the hearts & homes of British and Sri Lankans alike. Meanwhile, he closed the shop at Chatham Street and started a shop in 1959 at Main Street which is closer to the port.