Mutthu Coomaraswamy was an exceptional person. He came to Ceylon from far away Tamil Nadu and settled down there. He became a citizen of Ceylon and later was al member of the Legislative Assembly. He was a well-known advocate and was the first Asian to receive a knighthood. (Knighthood is an honor conferred upon a person who has distinguished himself in public service. Those who have this honor are entitled to add 'Sir' to their names.)

Mutthu Coomaraswamy met an English girl called Elizabeth Clay-Beevi when he went to England on business. She was captivated by his personality and they decided to get married. They came back to Ceylon. On the 22nd of August 1877 their son was born.

Elizabeth had left her country to come to far away Ceylon with her husband. When she undertook that long journey she was full of enthusiasm and hope. On her voyage back to England Elizabeth had her son with her who was the image of her husband but she was bowed down under the weight of sorrow. She had the responsibility of bringing up the child alone. Motherhood had imparted gravity to her personality. What a difference there was between the two journeys!

Her married life had come to an end in a short time. The child in her arms represented the love and happiness of those years. Elizabeth decided to bring up child to be a worthy son of his father, in spite of the many difficulties that lay in her path.