Guilford not Guildford

Till recently, I have been under the impression that Guildford Crescent where the Lionel Wendt Theatre is situated was named after the family name of Lord North, who was the first British Governor.

Lord North’s statue is placed close to this road in the premises of the Colombo Museum. After reading the British Governor’s of Ceylon by H. A. J. Hulugalle which has been reprinted recently, I find that the family name of North was Guilford and not Guildford. In fact, North ended his days as the Earl of Guilford.

If this road is named after him, it would be correct to put the record straight by spelling his name correctly.

Dr. C. B. Yahalawatta
Boralesgamuwa