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Prof. Lamabadusuriya honoured with lifetime achievement award and induction into Hall of Fame of College of Paediatricians

Published

1 year ago

2025/06/12

Prof. Lamabadusuriya receiving the award from Dr. Dumindu Samarasinghe, President of the Sri Lanka College of Padediatricians

(Citation presented by Dr B. J. C. Perera on 08^th June 2025 at the Inauguration Ceremony of the Annual Congress of the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians.)

Ladies and Gentlemen, this year, the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians has commenced a new enterprise. It is the inauguration of a Lifetime Achievement Award with automatic Induction into the Hall of Fame of the college. Our college is the very first medical academic organisation in Sri Lanka to commence such an award of unrestrained splendour.

At the Council Meeting of the College on the 11^th of April 2025, a name was proposed for this award. It was approved unanimously. That laureate is Professor Sanath Punsara Lamabadusuriya. Providing a citation for him is perhaps akin to taking coal to Newcastle, as the man and his achievements are well-known. I will only attempt to provide a bird’s-eye view of the person to suit this formal occasion.

In the year 49 BC, the uncrowned Roman Emperor Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River with his army, and loudly exclaimed in Latin, “Alea iacta est,” which means “the die has been cast.” Sanath, when you were born on the 30^th of December 1942, to a family with the surname starting with “Lama“, meaning ‘child’, the die was indeed cast. Destiny had perhaps decreed that you would become a Paediatrician; a calling which started your long road to undisputed fame.

Sanath Lamabadusuriya, a 20-year-old Royalist, entered the Colombo Medical Faculty in 1962, not as a future prodigy but as a bit of a dark horse. Then, in their final MBBS Examination in 1967, the guy bloomed, overtook everybody else, secured 2^nd Class Honours with Distinctions in Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynaecology and was placed first in the combined order of merit of those who qualified from Peradeniya and Colombo, the only two Faculties of Medicine in Sri Lanka at that time.

The man dreamed big, but he had to prove himself, before others determined that he really belonged. In a glorious career, he has secured DCH(England), MRCP(UK), FRCP(London), FRCP(Edinburgh), FRCP(Glasgow), FRCPCH(UK), Honorary FRCPCH(UK), FCCP, FSLCPaed, Honorary FCGP(SL), and most importantly, PhD (London), and DSc (Ruhuna). The jewel in the crown was the receipt from Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the MBE, the Membership of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. He is the first clinician in Sri Lanka to secure a PhD by a research thesis and the only Sri Lankan domiciled in Sri Lanka in the modern era, to receive a Royal Honour from Great Britain. He was the Chair Professor of Paediatrics in Ruhuna and Colombo and retired on the 30^th of September 2008. However, he did not stop there. He stepped in when there was a lack of teaching staff in the newer universities and continues to teach as a Visiting Professor in the Universities of Rajarata and Sabaragamuwa. This is his 56^th year as a medical teacher. All in all, he has taught in four Medical Faculties in Sri Lanka and one Foreign University in Saudi Arabia while he was on Sabbatical Leave. He gave away his capital freely, not monetary wealth, but the wealth of knowledge. His students would even worship the ground he walks on. To top it all, he was the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, from 2002 to 2005 and the Chairman of the Board of Study in Paediatrics of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine of the University of Colombo, continuously from 1991 to 2002.

Just for the record, he has made numerous scholarly discourses, delivered many Invited Plenary Lectures, presented 3 scientific orations, as well as 2 landmark invited addresses, and published over 140 peer-reviewed research articles in journals. He has not sat back on his laurels even after his PhD.

Professor Lamabadusuriya was the President of the Sri Lanka Paediatric Association, the forerunner of our college, in 1993, and I was the Honorary Secretary under him. The man gave me a free hand to do whatever had to be done. He had a very successful year in office as the President.

In recognition of his services to Paediatrics, the Association of Pediatric Societies of the South-East Asian Region (APSSEAR), which later became the Asia Pacific Pediatric Association (APPA), honoured him with the “Outstanding Paediatrician of Asia” title in 1997. He was the President of the very same Asia Pacific Pediatric Association (APPA) from 2006 to 2009. There are a whole host of other achievements which I am not able to present here, purely due to limitations on time.

Mr President, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am 5 years younger and 3 years junior to him in service. We have been virtual contemporaries and know each other very well. Behind his back, of course, I call him “The King”, or “Raja Thuma“. Sanath and I have been close friends, but that rapport is kind of a quaint but strange alliance, thriving in accord, as well as in discord. We have openly argued about many things, even in public, but we have never raised our voices against each other, as we believe that reasoning and courage do not have to reach higher decibel levels. If I provided evidence to support a stance I took, he would accept it, and I reciprocated in the same manner. Over the years, we have tacitly and implicitly, agreed even to disagree, without being disagreeable.

Mr President, Ladies and Gentlemen, Professor Sanath Punsara Lamabadusuriya, by his supreme contribution to child healthcare in Sri Lanka, undeniably deserves this honour. It is the ultimate accolade, designed and commissioned to reflect our respect, symbolise our admiration, and convey our superlative appreciation for his commitment to Paediatrics in Sri Lanka. It is also a notable feather in the cap of our college to have someone like him as the inaugural recipient of this award.

Mr President, I am definitely over the moon to present my close friend, the Good Professor, for the conferment of this unique, pivotal and priceless tribute.

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News

Theft of USD 2.5 mn from Treasury: CoPF accused of complicity in NPP cover-up

Published

21 hours ago

2026/06/15

Thilina Walpola

Harsha rejects what he called frivolous accusations

Chairman of Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) Dr. Harsha de Silva dismissed Free Lawyers’ claim that his Committee had helped delay a proper investigation into the theft of USD 2.5 mn (nearly Rs 1 bn) from the Treasury.

The Colombo District SJB MP said that he wouldn’t comment on frivolous accusations against his Committee. “We conduct ourselves in keeping with the highest standards of professionalism and responsibility.”

Dr. de Silva said so when The Island raised the Free Lawyers’ allegation that the Treasury and the Central Bank were using the CoPF as a tool to prolong investigations into the unprecedented theft of funds. Free Lawyers targeted the CoPF in a statement issued by Maithri Gunaratne, PC, and civil society activist Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon.

The other members of the CoPF are Harshana Rajakaruna (SJB), Ravi Karunanayake (NDF), Nimal Palihena (NPP), Wijesiri Basnayake (NPP), Thilina Samarakoon (NPP), Lakmali Hemachandra (NPP), Chathuranga Abeysinghe (NPP), Kaushalya Ariyaratne (NPP), Akram Ilyas (NPP), Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanikkyam (ITAK), Champika Hettiarachchi (NPP), Sunil Rajapaksha (NPP),

M. K. M. Aslam (NPP), Ajith Agalakada (NPP), Rauff Hakeem (SLMC), Chitral Fernando (SJB) and Nishantha Jayaweera (NPP).

Tennakoon said the theft of funds happened over eight months ago and the Parliament owed the country a clear explanation regarding the disappearance of USD 2.5 mn. The CoPF, instead of expediting the process, has conveniently granted time for those responsible for the loss to cover up their tracks. “Free Lawyers pursue the issue at hand vigorously as we were the first to reveal the loss of USD 2.5 mn. Those who knew it remained silent until our disclosure,” he said, alleging that Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne was yet to respond to their letter regarding the USD 2.5 theft.

Responding to queries, Tennakoon said that political parties represented in the CoPF should be held responsible for the developing situation. “The Committee on Public Accounts Committee (CoPA) headed by SJB MP Kabir Hashim too, should explain its failure to deal with the USD 2.5 mn theft. Both CoPF and CoPA led by two SJB MPs should act now. Dr. de Silva and Hashim are answerable to the public, particularly because they represent the main Opposition.”

The CoPA consists of Kabir Hashim, Maj. Gen. Aruna Jayasekera (NPP), Sugath Thilakaratne (NPP), Anton Jayakody (NPP), Chandana Sooriyaarachchi (NPP), Ruwanthilaka Jayakody (NPP), Nalin Hewage (NPP), Oshani Umanga (NPP), Manjula Suraweera (NPP), Sagarika Athauda (NPP), Janaka Senarathna (NPP), K.Illankumaran (NPP), Dinidu Saman Henanayake (NPP), Susantha Kumara Navaratna (NPP), Lal Premanath (NPP), Aravinda Senarath (NPP), Thushari Jayasinghe (NPP), T. K. Jayasundera, Ajantha Gammeddage (NPP), Sundaralingam Pradeep (NPP), Kavinda Jayawardena (SJB), J.C. Alawathuwala (SJB),Hector Appuhamy (SJB), Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran (ITAK), Chamara Sampath Dassanayake (NDF), Rohitha Abeygunawardena (NDF), M.L.A.M. Hisbullah (SLMC), M.A.M. Thahir (ACMC), Chanaka Madugoda (SLPP) and Sunil Ratnasiri (NPP).

Tennakoon said that both CoPF and CoPA were dominated by the NPP though the SJBers headed them. However, as heads of the two parliamentary committees, Dr. de Silva and Hashim, should be held responsible for lapses on the part of the committees or any deliberate omissions, Tennakoon said, questioning the rationale behind giving the Treasury and the CBSL six weeks to submit their findings to the CoPF.

Free Lawyers alleged that USD 2.5 had been released in spite of JP Morgan Chase and the Federal Reserve in the United States warning Sri Lanka about the suspicious nature of those foreign transactions via SWIFT messages. Tennakoon emphasized investigators should closely inquire into the decision taken to release funds regardless of such high-profile warnings.

Tennakoon said that the integrity of two key parliamentary committees is at stake. The civil society activist said that the country was in a highly critical phase of debt restructuring following a severe economic crisis. Tennakoon pointed out in terms of a condition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programme, the government’s debt management functions, previously carried out by the CBSL, were recently transferred to a new institution established under the General Treasury—the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO).

by Shamindra Ferdinando

News

Viral diseases on the rise

Published

21 hours ago

2026/06/15

Thilina Walpola

The number of patients hospitalised due to viral illnesses, including dengue fever, had increased significantly, health officials said yesterday, adding that there had been a rise in daily dengue-related admissions.

Acting Director of the National Dengue Control Unit Dr. Kapila Kannangara said Sri Lanka had recorded 41,144 dengue cases as of Saturday (13).

He said more than half of the reported cases—around 51 percent—were from the Western Province.

According to Dr. Kannangara, the number of dengue patients admitted to hospital daily had reached 750, but it had declined to around 630. However, he cautioned that infection levels remained “very high,” despite the slight drop in hospital admissions.

The dengue death toll has risen to 24, prompting several hospitals to issue red alerts amid continued pressure on wards treating incoming patients.

Health officials warned that the situation could worsen if case numbers continued to rise. Dr. Kannangara noted that the growing burden on healthcare facilities could eventually exceed system capacity.

The public has been urged to take preventive measures to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and to seek prompt medical attention if dengue symptoms develop.

by Chaminda Silva

News

Ranil warns of another economic crisis, calls for Opposition unity

Published

21 hours ago

2026/06/15

Thilina Walpola

Former President and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has warned that Sri Lanka is heading towards a severe economic crisis, alleging that the current administration is steering the country towards “total collapse.”

Addressing a meeting of the UNP Working Committee at the party headquarters on Flower Road on Thursday, Wickremesinghe claimed that the government was facing mounting difficulties on multiple fronts, with the economy continuing to deteriorate.

He also accused the administration of pursuing policies that, he said, marginalised war heroes and Buddhist monks.

Wickremesinghe expressed concern over what he described as an erosion of fundamental and legal rights, citing the arrest and alleged ill-treatment of former State Intelligence Service Chief Suresh Sallay as an example. He said the rising cost of living had emerged as one of the main concerns of the public.

Commenting on the political situation, the former President said the Opposition had not been able to forge unity among the anti-government forces and called for greater coordination among Opposition parties and groups. He advocated a phased mobilisation strategy, beginning at village and electorate level, instead of attempting to address all issues simultaneously.

Wickremesinghe also announced a series of political campaigns and rallies aimed at strengthening the Opposition movement. The programme is scheduled to commence in Kandy this weekend, with subsequent events planned in Kurunegala and Kalutara.

He said the UNP was engaged in discussions with several political parties and organisations, including those led by Minister Jeevan Thondaman, with a view to forming a broader political alliance.Wickremesinghe urged party members to expedite discussions and arrive at a collective decision on the way forward to address the country’s challenges.