ASHLEY COREA was born in Kurana, Negombo on the 1st of July 1896. His parents were Alfred Windsor Corea and Sarah Herath. He had three brothers (Percival, Claude and Bertram) and three sisters (Pearl, Myrle and Autley).  He was educated at Wesley College during the era of one its most distinguished Principals, the Rev. Henry Highfield. After completing his secondary education he taught at Carey College and attended the Law College, Colombo. Qualifying as a lawyer, he moved to Chilaw and commenced his legal practice in partnership with his brother, the late Sir Claude Corea. A keen sportsman, he played tennis and cricket.

He married his third cousin Ena Merlin Corea, the daughter of Jeamaux Arthur Christobelle Corea and Adelline Beatrice Lucy Amarasekera of 'Fairline' Chilaw on the 30th June’ 1930 at St. James' Church Chilaw. He had eight children, Sabrina, Roxina, Christabellm, Ariya, Brenda, Jeyaranjan ( Ranjit), Nirmali and Manorani. A family man he devoted his life to the well-being of his wife and children and developing his legal practice and family estates. He and his wife Ena owned estates at Puliyankandarawa, Puliyankara and Wilathawa on the Chilaw-Kurunegala Road and rice fields at Madabawita on the Colombo-Kandy Road.

He was a devout Christian and a man of exceptional integrity, serving for many years as Vicar’s Warden of St.James Church Chilaw. During this period he modernized the Vicarage of St. James' Church. The Bishop of Colombo, whenever he visited Chilaw was a regular visitor to his home. Serving as the Vice Chairman of the Chilaw Urban Council he was of assistance to the Public. He was also a Justice of the Peace and Unofficial Magistrate. He passed away on the 25th of October 1972.