STOP PRESS: Lakshman Abeyagunawardene passes away

 STOP PRESS

Lakshman Abeyagunawardene passes away

Mahendra "Speedy" Gonsalkorale

I just received the sad news from Pram in this text message:-

"Dear friends, our dearly beloved colleague Lucky Abeygunawardene passed away peacefully this afternoon surrounded by his family

His remains will lie at the Respect Home tomorrow from 6.00pm to 9.00pm & again from the morning of the 16th December. Cremation at the General Cemetery Kanatte at 10.30am.  Pansakula to be offered at 2 pm and final rites with cremation, Borella New Cemetery at 4pm

May his soul rest in peace".

I shall publish more details and some recollections from friends. Please send me anything about Lucky you want to be included.

The photo was taken at Lucky's house when I met him in March this year.

ND summed him up beautifully- see below.

“Lakshman is a quiet man, yet gregarious, always charming. He is well known for his intense loyalty to his friends. His anecdotes, wonderful sense of humour and that ‘wicked’ grin are an integral part his charm.  I remember from long ago his courtesy and kind ways which he has carried through all his life. I am greatly privileged to have met him in my life’s journey.” 

Lucky was admitted as a Fellow of the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka at the Inauguration of its Annual Scientific Sessions on Thursday, 20th September 2012, in recognition of services rendered to Public Health/Community Medicine.

This citation, read by Dr. Santhushya Fernando, is a fitting initial tribute to a man who achieved so much but always remained humble. He started the Blog and valued friendship and lasting memories of our time together as batch mates. I shall miss him, and his memory shall always live deep within me.

Dr. Lakshman Abeyagunawardene was born in Hikkaduwa on October 22^nd, 1941 at the height of the Second World War. He was educated at Ananda College, Colombo, and passed the University Entrance examination held in December 1960. Having entered the Science Faculty of the University of Ceylon to follow the 1^st MB course in June 1961 when such course was conducted for the last time, he was then admitted to the Colombo Medical Faculty the following year in June 1962. Dr. Abeyagunawardene graduated with the MBBS degree in March 1967. Following his Internship at the General Hospital, Colombo South, he worked in the clinical field for two years before opting voluntarily for a career in public health long before being called up for mandatory service as a Medical Officer of Health. Starting as an MOH at Matara in 1970, he later joined the Health Education Bureau (HEB) of the Ministry of Health before leaving for the United States on a World Health Organization (WHO) Fellowship in March 1974.

He specialised in public health and health education and obtained the degree of Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of California, Berkeley, USA in 1975. On his return, Dr. Abeyagunawardene continued his service in the HEB as a Health Education Specialist. In 1986, he was certified as a consultant in community medicine by the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) following conferment of the degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD) in community medicine (by research) by the University of Colombo.

While serving the Health Education Bureau of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Abeyagunawardene was in charge of the Community Health Education sub unit and in later years, the Training sub unit as well. In that capacity, he directed the highly successful Family Health Education Action Programme mobilising village level volunteers for health action throughout the length and breadth of the country. Apart from his involvement in his own research studies, Dr. Abeyagunawardene has supervised research projects and dissertations of MD and M SC candidates of the PGIM. Dr. Abeyagunawardene has the distinction of coordinating the M SC course in Health Education when the PGIM doors were thrown open to non- medical and non-dental health professionals. He has also served as a member of the Board of Study in Community Medicine of the PGIM over an extensive period until he left government service in 1990.

Having served the Government of Sri Lanka for 23 years, he opted for early retirement to join the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in 1990. As a National Professional Officer in UNICEF, Colombo, he continued to work closely with his national counterparts, notably the Health Education Bureau. Apart from other duties, Dr. Abeyagunawardene was responsible for the planning, implementation and evaluation of UNICEF-funded mass media programmes to promote oral rehydration therapy, iodised salt, child immunisation, and breastfeeding under the Baby Friendly Hospitals Initiative.

Dr. Abeyagunawardene has also served the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Commonwealth Secretariat of London as a short term consultant with assignments in Indonesia and Malaysia. In 1998, he retired prematurely from the UN to emigrate to the United States where he served the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control as a Health Education Specialist for a further period of ten years before final retirement in January 2009. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control recognised Dr. Abeyagunawardene’s services when he was presented with the Award for Excellence in 2006 for his contribution in the state’s highly successful Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Programme.

Dr. Abeyagunawardene joined the Sri Lanka Association of Community Medicine as a life member soon after he opted for a career in Public Health in 1970, and later served as a Committee Member. With the establishment of the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, he continued to serve as a Council member until he left the country in 1997. He has also served as a Council Member of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) for several years.

Dr. Abeyagunawardene has many publications to his credit and has been a regular presenter of scientific papers at the annual sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association and the Sri Lanka College of Community Physicians. He won the P.H. Wilson Peiris Memorial Award at the 99^th Anniversary Academic Sessions of the SLMA in 1986 for his paper entitled “Factors Influencing the Defaulter Rate of Leprosy Patients in a Hyperendemic Region in Sri Lanka”. A paper entitled “Mobilising Mass Media for Health” which outlined an evaluation of the HEB’s very first series of media seminars was published in the prestigious international health journal “World Health Forum” of the WHO in 1988. Dr. Abeyagunawardene published his Memoirs in 2009 with his book entitled “From Hikkaduwa to the Carolinas – Memoirs of a Reluctant Expatriate”. Dr. Abeyagunawardene returned to Sri Lanka on a permanent basis in 2009 and straightaway involved himself in CCP activities by sharing his US experience in childhood lead poisoning and prevention with the general membership at the College’s scientific sessions in 2010. Dr. Abeyagunawardene now lives in Battaramulla with his wife Mangala. They have a son and daughter and three grandchildren.

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Tributes to Lucky

(1) This was posted in the Blog on May 2^nd, 2022.

Lakshman Dias Abeygunawardene – Community Physician par excellence

By Dr Nihal D Amerasekera

    “Lakshman is a quiet man, yet gregarious, always charming. He is well known for his intense loyalty to his friends. His anecdotes, wonderful sense of humour and that ‘wicked’ grin are an integral part his charm.  I remember from long ago his courtesy and kind ways which he has carried through all his life. I am greatly privileged to have met him in my life’s journey.” 

Lakshman (L.N.D) Abeygunawardene had his education at Ananda College Colombo.

I first met Lakshman in the “Block” when we were freshers at the Faculty of Medicine in Colombo in 1962. Then we both lived in Nugegoda. There were times he gave me a lift to the faculty in his Honda 50 motor-cycle. Our surnames being at the beginning of the alphabet we sat near to each other at lectures, walked the long corridors of the General Hospital together and worked in the same wards. Friendship blossomed as we did most of the demanding tasks together for the full five years.

The examinations in the faculty were many and each one of them challenging in the extreme. Therewas a need to commit vast amounts of facts to memory. Lakshman had a most remarkable memory and the ability to recall in such great detail. He spent less time studying than many of my mates in the year but sailed through the years with ease. On many occasions, he gave me the impression Lakshman merely wanted to pass the examinations with minimum effort while enjoying student life. I have no doubt that he could have been in the top tier in the order of merit if he just made the effort. Lakshman was intelligent and had the wonderful ability to think fast and think rationally while on his feet. This was a great gift which he used to good effect in later life and career.

Lakshman loved faculty life and enjoyed it to the full, more than most. He was a fine billiards player. Taking part in the faculty competitions he fared very well indeed becoming one of the top players. Carrom was his forte. Lakshman was one of the best players of the game and won the faculty tournament a couple of times. He was a great follower of the University cricket team and was ever present at the Sara Trophy games lending his support. Watching Rugby was another of his passions and never missed an important club game. He was always there for the Colours Night and Block Night dances at the University’s King George’s Hall, jiving the night away. Ever-present at the evening booze-ups in the faculty common room, Lakshman was there to take me home after the event. Although he enjoyed a drink Lakshman never exceeded the sensible limits he set for himself. He never smoked. With him good sense always prevailed.

I remember he was always polite and had the great ability to be calm, discreet and diplomatic. He had the skill to hide his anger so very well. Beneath his gentle demeanour, Lakshman has a steely core. He is intelligent and astute and played his cards close to his chest. Lakshman was never in a hurry to make important decisions which he did after careful thought. This stood him in good stead throughout his career and in his life.

I recall with nostalgia a trip we made with Sanath de Tissera, Bernard Randeniya and Lakshman Jayasinghe (who joined us on the spur of the moment, at the Fort Railway Station). We were off on a trip to Kandy. Sanath arranged for us to stay in a house on a hill in Watapuluwa, overlooking the Mahaweli river. We pounded the streets of Kandy during the day and enjoyed a chat and a drink in the evenings by the river. This was a memorable holiday which brought us closer together. 

After the final year examination came the great dispersal. We all went our separate ways. 

Following his Internship at Colombo South General Hospital, he worked in a clinical field for two years. He then set his eyes on a career in public health. Lakshman began his journey into public health as a Medical Officer of Health at Matara in 1970. That was also a momentous year for Lakshman when he married Mangala.  I made an official trip to Matara while working at the Central Blood Bank in Colombo.  It brought me great joy to meet my old pal again. I was entertained most lavishly by Lakshman and Mangala in a grand and elegant house at Brown’s Hill in Matara.

Remaining in the Public Health Services, he joined the Health Education Bureau (HEB) of the Ministry of Health.  In March 1974, Lakshman was awarded a World Health Organization (WHO) Fellowship and proceeded to the USA. Specialising in public health and health education, in 1975, he obtained the Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) from the University of California, Berkeley, USA. On his return to Sri Lanka, Lakshman pursued his keen interest in serving the HEB as a Health Education Specialist. In 1986, he received his certification as a consultant in community medicine by the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM). Lakshman was conferred the prestigious Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in community medicine by the University of Colombo.

Having served the Government of Sri Lanka diligently for 23 years he took early retirement in 1990 and joined the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). He has also served the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Commonwealth Secretariat of London working on consultant assignments in Indonesia and Malaysia. In 1998, he took early retirement from UNICEF.  Lakshman then emigrated to the United States and served the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control as a Health Education Specialist for a further period of ten years. He finally retired in December 2008 as a Consultant Community Physician in the USA. Although South Carolina left a strong impression on Lakshman he had a deep longing to return home to his roots.

For many years I lost contact with Lakshman. Marriage, careers and caring for our children took precedence. On a brief visit home in 1998, I met up with Lakshman and the irrepressible J.C Fernando at the Singhalese Sports Club which was a memorable event. We kept the spirit alive bringing back a bit of that old faculty magic of long ago.

Lakshman initiated a Weblog (now also called a Blog), specifically for the Colombo Medical Faculty entrants of 1962. The creation helped to shape the way we communicate as a year group and became a forum for conveying our skills, news, humour and friendship. This became an instant hit with the batch and has been a friendly platform, riding the ether since 2011. He had a pragmatic approach to its rules. Not wanting it to be an online battleground, he discouraged and virtually excluded politics. As the manager of the Blog he maintained its dignity and remained fair and impartial. His willingness to listen to the feedback improved the Blog enormously. After many years in the hot seat he has now passed on the onerous task of managing the Blog to Mahendra Gonsalkorale.

On retirement Lakshman and Mangala returned to Sri Lanka and made their home in Battaramulla. They now maintain a splendid house with a delightful garden in the posh part of town. An utterly charming couple, they became well known for their friendship and lavish hospitality. By his relaxed style and affable manner, he made wonderful company. Their generosity was extended to the many expatriate medics who returned home on their winter getaway.

I recall Lakshman’s father was a regular contributor to the national newspapers. Lakshman continued this tradition by contributing articles of value to the daily papers mostly on topics in his field of expertise in healthcare. He has dipped deep into the archives of his memory to write a most readable, extensive and far-reaching memoir. 

I never joined in the many Batch reunions in Sri Lanka and never had the opportunity to meet Lakshman. He made a brief trip to the UK. Although I hoped very much we could meet but that was not to be. I was in Sri Lanka in 2012 and we were able to enjoy a meal together at the plush Indian restaurant at the Cinnamon Grand in Colombo. In the relaxed ambience of its dining hall we retraced our time together, reminisced and remembered mutual friends. We did make up much for those lost years.

Lakshman is a quiet man, yet gregarious, always charming. He is well known for his intense loyalty to his friends. His anecdotes, wonderful sense of humour and that ‘wicked’ grin are an integral part his charm.  I remember from long ago his courtesy and kind ways which he has carried through all his life. I am greatly privileged to have met him in my life’s journey. Lakshman and Mangala have a son and daughter and enjoy the love and affection of three grandchildren. 

I wish them a long and happy retirement.

(2) From Pramilla Senanayake

Lucky was a dear friend and colleague. He really enjoyed keeping in touch with his "batch mates" Hence the birth of the blog. Lucky contributed frequently to the blog. Whenever overseas colleagues visited SL, Lucky & Mangala played hosts to them and produced some super lunches and dinners. Lucky & Mangala were a very devoted couple. She kept no stone unturned to ensure that Lucky got the best medical treatment and the best care at home.  

I was frequently in touch with Mangala and got regular updates on Lucky's health & progress. I was delighted when Mangala joined us at the last "Forever 62 " get-together which was a high T at the Ahasa restaurant on the 27th floor of the new Ratnadipa Hotel. 

Lucky loved Cricket, and so did I.  We had many cricket-related discussions when time permitted 

He was very close to his two children. Always looking forward to the visits of their daughter from the USA. His grandkids meant a lot to him, and he looked forward eagerly to their visits. 

I am so pleased that Speedy will continue keeping the blog alive. 

May Lucky's soul rest in peace.

(3) Mahendra "Speedy" Gonsalkorale (He always called me Speedy!)

Lucky was a true friend and a most sincere person. He felt very strongly about his duty to serve his Motherland, and I salute him for this. But he was magnanimous enough to recognise that returning to live and serve in Sri Lanka, as honourable as it is, is not the only way to do this. 

I always made it a point to visit Lucky and Mangala when I visit Sri Lanka and the genuine welcome and expression of their pleasure to see me was very special. 

This photo was taken early this year when Srianee, too, was visiting. The ever-generous and wonderful Pram was kind enough to pick me up from Nawala, take me there and drop me back.

My heartfelt condolences go to Mangala and their children. 

I am proud of the fact that I was able to assist in adding many innovations to the blog from the early days, which he readily accepted. When he handed the reins to me, I was honoured. I am even more determined to maintain the blog, Lucky's Brainchild. May he, as a devout Buddhist, attain his ultimate goal of Nibbana