Ernest Corea

Ernest Corea (1932–11 May 2017) was a Sri Lankan journalist and diplomat noted for his work to maintain a free and independent press and for negotiations involving Sri Lanka's development programs.

Early life Corea was born in 1932 to Rev. Ivan Corea and Ouida Corea. His brother, Vernon, was a pioneering broadcaster with Radio Ceylon/SLBC and Ethnic Minorities Adviser to the BBC. His father was Rural Dean of Colombo in the Church of Ceylon, Vicar of St. Luke's Church Borella and St. Paul's Church, Milagiriya. His family hailed from the west coast town of Chilaw in Sri Lanka and were direct descendants of King Dominicus Corea, who was crowned King of Kotte and Sitawaka in 1596.

Corea was educated at Royal College, Colombo and the University of Peradeniya.