EDWARD COREA was a son of Gate Mudaliyar James Edward Corea and his wife Frances Eleanor Terentia Ameresekera. He grew up in Chilaw and became a lawyer.

On the 19th of October 1944, Edward married Dagmar Wijekoon. They had three children: Devasiri, Malini and Jayantha. Devasiri married Ayoma, Malini married Lakshman Goonetilleke, and Jayantha married Indira Elikewela.