Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena praised the professional contribution made by Colombo University’s Medical Faculty. Speaking at the 150th anniversary celebration of the Medical Faculty held recently Minister Gunawardena said even though progress was slow in constructing the new 34-storey faculty building, steps will be taken to expedite the construction activities. Below are excerpts of his speech: “The Medical Faculty traces its origins to the establishment of the Colombo Medical School founded in 1870, within the Colombo General Hospital premises, and within the span of a few years it was upgraded to become the Ceylon Medical College.

This was done with the genuine intention of providing a professional form of organised medical education and health services to the Sri Lankan people,” he said. “The nation is proud of this faculty which has produced our nation’s best skilled medical professionals. During the past 150 years, men and women who committed themselves to the practice of medicine have walked through corridors not only here in Colombo, but while serving in all corners of the country, and going further beyond our shores to bring even greater honour and recognition to our country, its people, and of course, to the profession,” the Minister said.

“I wish to remember the philanthropy of Mudaliyar Samson Rajapakse, Sir Charles Henry de Soysa, Mudaliyar Susew de Soysa, Muhandiram Simon Fernando Wijegooneratne and Mudaliyar Vimala Gunawardana for their immense contribution to the establishment of this faculty, not only for higher education but also for the medical profession.” “Allow me to mention few greats from your long distinguished alumni such as, Sir Prof Nicholas Attygalle, Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, Prof. P.R. Anothnis, Prof. Sheriffdeen, Prof. Rizvi Sheriff, Prof. Nandadasa Kodagoda, and Prof. Carlo Fonseka among other distinguished names.”

The Colombo Medical Faculty is the most demanded, not just in medicine but out of all disciplines. This clearly speaks of the high standard maintained and achieved, even when compared within the region. From its earliest times it has maintained esteem to be recognised by the General Medical Council of the UK, and to collaborate with the John Hopkins University’s School of Medicine in the US, to develop the free health system in Sri Lanka. It has also gone further by playing pivotal roles in the international arena by developing world-class scientists, experts, and administrators in the medical profession to work with the World Health Organisation.” “The nation remembers the great commitment rendered by the Colombo Medical Faculty and its professionals during the most difficult times of war and terrorism that lasted for three long decades. Your professionals served 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days of the year in the front-lines with soldiers, and they saved innocent civilians from suicide attacks carried out in Colombo,” the Minister added.