JAMES ALFRED COREA (Mudaliyar) was a proprietory planter, who was appointed Mohandiram of Madampe (Pitigalkorale Central) in 1899. Born at Negombo on the 23rd of November 1871, he was the only son of Henry Richard Corea, (Mudaliyar of Alutkuru Korale North) and Cornelia Wilhelmina Perera. He was the grandson of Simon Corea JP, Mudaliyar of Alutkuru Korale and Cornelia Dias Bandaranaike. He had three sisters, Agnes who married John Amarasekera, Annie who married James Dias Bandaranaike and, Missie who married Cyril Gilbert Alahakoon Wijesiriwardene De Alwis, a Gate Mudaliyar.

He was educated at S. Thomas’ College, Mutwal (which later became S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia) and thereafter learnt planting under his father. He was a member of the Chilaw Society and Agricultural Society. A landed proprietor, he owned the large coconut estates, Mugunuatuwan and Pottuwille. He also owned houses and properties in Madampe and Colombo.

He married Eugenie Sarah Matilda, the third daughter of Dr. John Attygalle, retired Colonial Surgeon of Ceylon and Charlotte Karunaratne on the 7th of June 1906, and lived at 'Corea Court', Madampe. They had two children, Amybelle and Henri.

Exposing himself to the elements, walking the length and breadth of the area under his jurisdiction in trying to stop communal clashes, he contracted pneumonia and passed away on the 11th of July 1915. He was laid to rest in the family graveyard at Marawila.