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

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