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The Roberts Memorial Fountain stands in the S. de S. Jayasinghe Park in Allen Avenue, Dehiwela, but it is not where it should be and neither is it working. The fountain was opened by the British governor of the day in honour of Dr. Emmanuel Roberts, shortly after Dr. Roberts died in 1934.

Dr. Emmanuel Roberts was an eminent Western qualified physician who did his post-graduate studies in London and Glasgow. A product of Royal College, he spent his leisure hours researching Ayurveda and wrote 'The Materia Medica of India and Ceylon,' one of what are believed to be the only two books on Ayurveda written in English.

The fountain was installed in Kalubowila, which was originally the hometown of Dr. Robert's father. Roberts Road, adjacent to the People's Park, was named in honour of Dr. Emmanuel Roberts who did yeoman service for poor patients of Kalubowila as well as later in Colpetty where he lived and practised.

The Memorial fountain has been displaced several times in past years due to park maintenance work largely because little is known about the origin of the fountain.

The fountain was meant to be functional and to beautify the area which was a popular recreational spot in Dehiwela but has now been relegated to stand on the periphery of the park in a state of desrepair.

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