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The Dutch Burghers in Sri Lanka Today-by Michael Roberts Source:Thuppahis PRABATH DE SILVA, IN DAILY MIRROR, 21 JANUARY 2021, WITH THIS TITLE “THE DUTCH BURGHERS IN SRI LANKA”  “WE ARE A VANISHING TRIBE IN SRI LANKA. THE FIRST PATERNAL ANCESTOR OF MY FATHER’S FAMILY WHO ARRIVED IN SRI LANKA IN 1774 WAS PIETER SCHARENGUIVEL. HE WAS A QUARTER MASTER IN THE SERVICE OF THE UNITED DUTCH EAST INDIA COMPANY WHICH RULED THE MARITIME PROVINCES OF SRI LANKA FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE 17TH CENTURY TO 1796. THE DUTCH BURGHER IDENTITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS WITHIN THE FAMILY I GREW UP IN WAS EXTREMELY SIGNIFICANT. IT PLAYED A ROLE  IN THE CONVERSATIONS, TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS, FOOD, PERCEPTIONS AND SOCIAL INTERACTIONS. DURING THE BRITISH COLONIAL RULE, OUR COMMUNITY PRODUCED EMINENT SURGEONS, DOCTORS, LEGAL LUMINARIES, JUDGES, ENGINEERS, SPORTSMEN, MUSICIANS , HISTORIANS AND ARTISTS ETC.” , SAID ANNE-MARIE SCHARENGUIVEL (65), A MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT AND A MEMBER OF SRI LANKA’S TINY  ...