On behalf of The George Keyt Foundation, it is only apt that we say a few words in appreciation of the tremendous effort that Cedric De Silva, together with his wife Sita, has done to establish The George Keyt Foundation and to bring it to where it is today – recognised as one of the premier organisations of the art world in Sri Lanka. The George Keyt Foundation was established in 1988 to promote Sri Lankan art.  

Cedric and Sita, together with Ian Goonatilleke and Prof.  S. B. Dissanayake, all of whom were close friends of George Keyt, together with others of their ilk, decided to establish this organistion to promote the works of our emerging artists.

While the ‘43 Group had already established itself both locally and internationally, there were many young aspiring artists who had nowhere to go to and no way of promoting their work.

Cedric and his mates decided that something needed to be done to correct this situation and so The George Keyt Foundation was established. Named after George Keyt the Foundation’s task was in no way meant to promote
Keyt’s work. 

In fact, the Foundation, while hosting works of international standing including the “South Asian Art Exhibition of Paintings” to coincide with the SAARC conference in 1991, and the exhibition ”Modern Sri Lanka Painters”  to coincide with the Sri Lanka EXPO in 1992, has hosted only three exhibitions of Keyt’s work to coincide with significant events in the artist’s life.  

The George Keyt Foundation has held several presentations over the years, including the annual ‘Kala Pola’ open air art fair, the ‘Young Contemporaries’ or ‘Nawa Kala Karuwo’ and the ‘Sri Lankan Art Exhibitions’ held each year.  
In fact the Kala Pola, which began with just 35 artists has now expanded to over 350 participants. An exhibition titled “Moods and Modes” was held in 1998 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Independence; featuring works by 90 leading artists including that of the ’43 Group.  

Cedric has always had a passion and drive to promote and help those in need or those less fortunate and has been involved in many public charities and humanitarian organisations where he has brought his professional skills and knowledge to bear.

Cedric has been a leading Chartered Accountant with over 50 years professional practice. In fact in 2015 he celebrated his 50th year as a Chartered Accountant with a special Service of Thanksgiving at the Anglican Cathedral.

In 1981 he was appointed as a Director of the ETF Board and the Insurance Corporation of Sri Lanka and was appointed as Chairman of the ETF Board in 1982.  He was involved in assisting to set up Sampath Bank in the late 1980s, and later in helping to establish
Pan Asia Bank.  

Cedric was also involved, through the Insurance Corporation in helping to set up the Robinson Club in Bentota, and the Trans Asia Hotel in Colombo. He went on to serve as the Managing Director of the Trans Asia Hotel, better known as the Ramada Rennaissance Hotel (now Cinnamon Lakeside) in the late 1980s. In fact, in the early 1990s, he was instrumental in arranging for the hotel to host a series of month-long Art Exhibitions grouping together the paintings of 4 to 5 of our leading contemporary artists of the time.  

There is much, much more that we all at The George Keyt Foundation and the Sri Lankan art world are grateful for, in the vision and leadership of Cedric de Silva, ably assisted by his wife Sita, over the many, many years that they guided the fortunes of our art fraternity. 

An Appreciation by the George Keyt Foundation