Maurice de Mel

Colonel Maurice Ann Gerard de Mel is a Ceylonese army officer.

Born to a wealthy Roman Catholic family, he was educated at Saint Joseph's College, Colombo, where he excelled in athletics and cricket.

He had five brothers, which included Royce de Mel, later a Rear Admiral and Captain of the Royal Ceylon Navy and Reverend Joseph de Mel, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Colombo and Rector of the National Seminary, Ampitiya.

He was promoted to colonel, and appointed Chief of Staff of the army on 17 February 1956 and served till 13 November 1959.

In 1964, the trial at bar, found Royce De Mel along with eleven of the 24 accused guilty and sentenced then to ten years in jail and confiscation of property.