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S.P. Lamabadusuriya
Prof. Sanath. P. Lamabadusuriya who joined the Faculty of Medicine Colombo as a lecturer in Paediatrics on April 1, 1969, this month marked his 50th year as a medical academic. He has worked in this field both here and abroad and in 1992 was conferred an MBE by Queen Elizabeth.
Afetr taking his MBBS degree, he went abroad in 1972 on a Colombo Plan scholarship for post graduate training and returned three years later with a Ph.D. (London), MRCP (UK) and DCH (London). He was trained at the Hospital for Sick Children Great Ormond Street, London and at the Institute of Child Health, London.
Prof. Lamabadusuriya I was the first Sri Lankan clinician to obtain a research degree which he achieved after two years and three months of research. Later he worked at the Faculty of Medicine of the Colombo University as a Senior Lecturer until he went to the Faculty of Medicine Ruhuna as the Foundation Professor of Paediatrics.
In 1980 he returned to Colombo when the Chair in Paediatrics fell vacant in 1991. He retired in 2008 and now serves as an Emeritus Professor of the Colombo University.
He was the Dean of the Colombo Medical Faculty from 2002 to 2005 and since April 2015, been working as a Visiting Senior Professor in the Faculty of Medicine in the University of Rajarata.
Over a year ago he was invited to be the consultant to establish a Medical Faculty in the Sabaragamuwa University to which 70 students were admitted in January this year. This faculty is based in Ratnapura.
During sabbatical leave, he worked as a Locum Consultant in Paediatrics at the Pilgrims Hospital in Boston, Lincolnshire, England in 1979. From 1987 to 1988, he worked as a Professor in Paediatric Gastroenterology at the King Faisal University in Dammam,,Saudi Arabia. From 1996 to 1998 he worked as a locum Consultant Paediatrician in Worthing, West Sussex. England.
He was awarded an MBE in 1992 by Queen Elizabeth in recognition for his contribution to the Sri Lanka Cleft Lip and Palate project – probably the first Lankan domiciled here to be so honored..
This project was instrumental in setting up a diploma course for the training of Speech Therapists in the University of Kelaniya, with a donation of 200,000 pounds sterling. Prior to that there was only one speech therapist in Sri Lanka and she was in the private sector. At present there are over 80 speech therapists working in Sri Lanka.
It is unusual to have the chance to comment on the Blog on the same day recognising and appreciating two of our colleagues one after the other. Sanath, you are someone who has put our Batch on the map, all over the world. Your contributions are unique. Reading the admirable array of positions you have occupied around the world in medicine and paediatrics, we all have to be truly amazed. No higher honour than MBE from H M Queen Elizabeth! We are truly proud of you! I remember your dear little family in Ruhuna Faculty when you were Foundation Professor of Paediatrics, where you did your valuable work on ‘Cleft lip and palate’. The news that you established a Medical Faculty in Ratnapura and that you are also credited with increasing the number of Speech Therapists from 1 to 80 caps all your achievements. ‘May your tribe increase’! All the best from Zita
ReplyDeleteSanath
ReplyDeleteWell done my friend and many congratulations. You are a remarkable academic, philanthropist and a genuine and helpful friend. I can’t think of a person who has done more for paediatrics in SL than you.
I wish you a long and happy life
Look forward to seeing you again in the summer
Dear Zita and Nihal,your very generous comments are well appreciated as always !
ReplyDeleteSanath
Sanath
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your achievements and contribution to medical education island wide.A brilliant career and well done.
Enjoyed the Poker games at the main quarters GHC with Sodium,Russell,Marius etc.Apologies for the Salmonella poisoning.Do you keep in touch with Don Indran,how is he?.