Business

Journey of a Medical Consultant who walked an arduous path to serve the common man

Published

2 years ago

2025/03/21

Dr. Dilkushi Anula Wijesundere

In celebration of Dr. Anula Wijesundere’s 75th birthday, falling today, I, as a family friend, find it fitting to reflect on her remarkable life. She is a devoted, compassionate, and approachable medical consultant who has dedicated over five decades to her profession. Her unwavering commitment to the health of her patients, especially those from ordinary backgrounds, is truly admirable. We extend our warmest wishes for her continued well-being and hope she remains a source of inspiration for many. Dr. Anula Wijesundere possesses extensive medical expertise and is not only an inspiring lifesaver but also a distinguished individual, serving as a role model and mentor to countless aspiring physicians. She is married to Dr. Ajita Wijesundere MBBS(Ceylon), MS(Ceylon), FRCOG(UK), FCOG(SL) Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, and together they are blessed with three children and four grandchildren.

Dr. Anula Wijesundere is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. D. H. Samaranayke. She is an alumna of Visakha Vidyalaya in Colombo, where she was appointed the Head Prefect in 1968. After achieving the highest results among female candidates and securing the third position in the GCE A/L examination in 1969, she enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Colombo. During her time in medical school, she earned six distinctions, one gold medal, and graduated with second class upper division honors in her receiving the MBBS (Ceylon) degree in 1974. She later obtained the MD (Ceylon), MRCP (UK), DCH (UK), and DGM (UK), and was subsequently awarded the FCCP, FRCP, and honorary FRACP.

In 1985, following the appointment of her husband, Dr. Ajita Wijesundere, as the consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Polonnaruwa Base Hospital, Dr. Anula Wijesundere submitted her application for the vacant position of Consultant Physician at the same hospital. Dr Anula Wijesundere was the sole candidate to submit an application for that position during a time characterized by severe ethnic strife, which intensified into a civil war, resulting in multiple assaults on civilians in the border areas of the Polonnaruwa District. The appointment has been made with the stipulation that she will also assume the role of paediatrician. In addition to her responsibilities as the consultant physician and her temporary position as the consultant paediatrician, she has also been delivering care to the patients requiring the expertise of a dermatologist and a psychiatrist, as those positions remained unfilled.

Out of eight doctors at the hospital six had been trained in Russia, and thereby each afternoon Dr. Anula Wijesundere had to teach the Russian qualified doctors Tropical Medicine focussing on diseases prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, encompassing both infectious and non-infectious conditions, often linked to poverty, poor sanitation, and environmental factors and also on managing medical emergencies in a Sri Lankan context.

Simultaneously, the nation experienced political turmoil marked by extensive violence and population displacements. Amidst these difficulties, she played a crucial role in addressing severe outbreaks of malaria and Japanese Encephalitis. She mentioned that the shortage of doctors necessitated she and her husband, Dr Ajita Wijesundere as VOG, consultant surgeon Dr Gamini Goonetilleke, and other doctors had to work around the clock. She said by that time the Polonnaruwa hospital had served as a central hospital treating injured soldiers during the civil war which was more focussed in liberation of the East at that time.

She stated that Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke, the consultant surgeon at the Polonnaruwa Base Hospital during that period, demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to treating severely injured soldiers defending our motherland, as well as hundreds of civilians. She noted that, during that period, consultants were required to make independent decisions in managing circumstances that are not encountered today. She noted that during this period, when consultants bravely worked in peripheral hospitals with limited logistical resources, ministry officials provided her with the necessary support to fulfil her responsibilities. She specifically acknowledged Dr. Joe Fernando as one of the exemplary medical administrators who assisted her in delivering care to patients in Polonnaruwa.

To be continued…

By Dharshan Silva
CEO, Abans Finance PLC

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Business

USA–Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce plans New York campaign to promote Tourism and Business

Published

20 hours ago

2026/10/19

Thilina Walpola

The initiative will provide Sri Lankan businesses with a vital platform to introduce their products and services to the American market

Timing aligns with national policy discussions

By Sanath Nanayakkare

The USA–Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce is exploring an innovative promotional initiative to showcase Sri Lanka’s tourism, cultural heritage, and commercial opportunities in the heart of New York City during the upcoming Christmas and holiday season.

The proposed campaign aims to bring Sri Lanka’s unique identity to one of the world’s most internationally recognized cities through a mobile digital billboard featuring high-quality photographs and videos highlighting the island’s natural beauty, rich heritage, and diverse commercial offerings. Designed to capitalize on New York City’s significant holiday-season foot traffic, the initiative will reach American consumers, international tourists, and potential business partners.

The digital showcase will feature pristine beaches, scenic mountains, waterfalls, tea plantations, wildlife, ancient cities, Buddhist heritage, traditional arts, authentic cuisine, and modern attractions, positioning the country as a premier international travel destination. An interactive QR code linking to comprehensive tourism information will also be incorporated, allowing viewers to directly explore travel opportunities.

Beyond destination promotion, the initiative provides Sri Lankan businesses with a vital platform to introduce their products and services to the American market. Enterprises representing Ceylon tea, spices, food products, gems and jewellery, apparel, handicrafts, wellness, hospitality, and tourism will have the opportunity to showcase their brands alongside the broader national campaign.

The Chamber notes that this effort will be particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking greater international exposure, brand recognition, and commercial partnerships in the United States. By integrating tourism promotion with commercial visibility, the project aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s international image while supporting trade, investment, and business development.

Operating under the central message of “Discover Sri Lanka. Experience Sri Lanka. Visit Sri Lanka,” the campaign presents the island as a destination defined by natural beauty, cultural richness, distinctive products, and entrepreneurial potential. More information on the initiative is accessible at www.usaslcc.org.

Tourism sector stakeholders have welcomed the move, noting that private-sector-led initiatives of this nature bypass cumbersome bureaucratic procurement procedures and complex tender processes typically associated with state-run promotional campaigns abroad.

The timing aligns with recent national policy discussions regarding tourism promotion. Participating in a Fireside Chat at the inauguration of the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026, organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized that a proper procurement mechanism needs to be established before acquiring tourism promotional concepts, recommending a performance-based system where agencies are compensated according to verified growth in tourist arrivals.

Business

Seylan Bank partners Colombo Motor Show 2026 as official banking and leasing partner

Published

20 hours ago

2026/10/19

Thilina Walpola

For 10th consecutive year

Seylan Bank PLC, the Bank with a Heart, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s automotive industry by partnering with the 20th edition of the Colombo Motor Show 2026 as the Official Banking & Leasing Partner for the 10th consecutive year. This makes Seylan Bank the longest-standing partner of the Colombo Motor Show, further reflecting its longstanding association with one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent automotive exhibitions. The four-day exhibition is scheduled to take place from 20th to 23rd November 2026 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), marking the first time the Colombo Motor Show will be held as a four-day event.

As one of Sri Lanka’s leading international motor and motor accessories exhibitions, the Colombo Motor Show will bring together vehicle enthusiasts, prospective buyers, industry professionals and automotive service providers. The 2026 edition is expected to feature over 200 trade stalls covering motor vehicles, accessories, spare parts, lubricants, tyres, batteries, leasing facilities and other motor-related services.

Through its continued partnership, Seylan Bank will showcase a comprehensive range of financial solutions designed to support customers in meeting their personal and business needs, with a particular focus on Seylan Leasing facilities. Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to receive on-the-spot leasing evaluations and expert guidance from Seylan Leasing Specialists, helping them explore vehicle financing options conveniently during the event.

Business

WCIC sharpens focus on scaling women-owned businesses

Published

20 hours ago

2026/10/19

Thilina Walpola

WCIC Office Bearers

The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) is sharpening its focus on helping women entrepreneurs move beyond business creation towards sustainable growth, as it expands its membership, partnerships and advocacy footprint.

WCIC Chairperson Gayani de Alwis, concluding her second tenure, highlighted the Chamber’s efforts had increasingly centered on creating pathways for women to translate entrepreneurial ambition into viable enterprises and, importantly, build those businesses for the longer term.

“Ultimately, our impact is not measured by the number of programmes we conducted, but by the women whose businesses grew, whose voices became stronger, whose horizons expanded and whose contribution to the economy became greater,” she said addressing the WCIC 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 22 September for which the Chief Guest was Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Isabelle Martin.

The focus has included a special initiative for female university students with an entrepreneurial mindset, regional chapter initiatives in the Northern Province, capacity-building programmes and the inaugural ‘Beyond Ramp Up’ workshop.

The Chairperson said these initiatives were designed to move women “from aspiration to enterprise, and from enterprise to sustainable growth”, signaling a broader focus on strengthening the progression of women entrepreneurs beyond the initial stages of business formation.

WCIC recorded a 20 percent increase in membership during the period with membership crossing 460 and expanded its ecosystem through a series of strategic partnerships.

Internally, WCIC moved to strengthen its governance framework, revising its Articles of Association to ensure regulatory compliance and introducing a Code of Conduct and Board self-assessment. Clearer organisational roles, job descriptions and performance targets were also introduced as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and professionalise its operations.

Reflecting on her tenure, the Chairperson said the period had been about building a stronger, more connected and professionally governed organisation, while converting its wider ambitions into tangible opportunities for women in business.