During Dutch and British rule, members of the family were officials serving the state in various ways and rewarded with titles.

His sister Missie, married Cyril Gilbert Alahakoon Wijesiriwardana De Alwis, who was a Gate Mudaliyar.

[3] James Alfred's grandfather was a justice of the peace and succeeded his brother Johannes as Mudaliyar of Alutkuru Korale after his death in 1835.

Writing in 1907 about Mohandiram James Alfred Corea, the English author, Arnold Wright in 'Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon,' said: ' Mr. J.A.Corea, a descendant (eleventh generation) of Wickremasinghe Bandara, chief of the Seven Korales under the Kandyan emperor (1520–1560) is the son of Henry Richard Corea, Mudaliyar of Alutkuru Korale North....' Wright goes on to state that in '1899 he became Mohandiram of Madampe.'

'[5] James Alfred Corea died on 11 July 1915, he was buried in Marawila, leaving behind his wife, Eugenie Matilda Attygalle and his two children Henri and Amybelle.