Sunday Times 2
Raising a toast to the grand old Colombo Medical School
In the year 2020, the month of June,
Heralds 150 years of the Colombo Medical School!
The diseased and depopulated Vanni, in the 1860s
Lead to the birth of the medical school in 1870.
During governor Hercules Robinson’s reign,
In the surgical ward of Colombo General, the school became,
The colonial Northern Province surgeon, Dr James Loos,
Was the first principal of the Colombo Medical School.
The names of the first teachers three,
Were doctors Loos, E.L. Koch and R. Andree
Initially the course was a mere years three
Was extended to four, in the year 1873.
In 1875, the school moved to its new abode,
To land gifted by Samson Rajapakse on Kynsey Road,
J.W. Charles de Soysa, Simon Fernando & Wimala Gunawardana
Were generous donors who joined the benefactors role.
Mr. C. H. De Soysa, the great benefactor with much philanthropy,
Built in 1879, the lying – in – home, for mothers to be,
And for students to be taught practical midwifery.
Lipton Circus statue stands as public gratitude to his memory!
The early buildings of the school exist no more,
As landmarks change & new structures galore!
All that remains of the oldest stock,
Is the towering Dr. Edwin Kock memorial clock!
In 1870, beginning with 25 students on roll,
In 2020, bursting at seams, over 1250, will be the toll!
In 1870, which began as an elementary medical school,
In 1880, was raised to dignity of college status, we were told.
In 1873, the course from 3 to 4 years was extended,
In 1885, the LMS title with pride was appended.
In 1892, women were admitted to the medical school,
Miss de Boer, was the first female licentiate to bloom!
Doctors E. L. Kock, Vandersarten, were the second and third principals
For twenty years, Dr Vandersarten remained invisible
The book – “Diseases in children” he was the author,
To outstation students, he was almost a father!
The early requirements to enter the school,
English, native language, arithmetic; were needed as a rule:
In the present date, to enter the gate,
Needs a minimum of 3 high ‘A’s, my mate!
From 1898 to 1915, Sir Allan Perry, took over the reins,
In his period the school flourished in stature and fame!
Doctors Spittle, Aldo Castellani and Garvin Mac
Dr Lucian Zilwa, Marcus Fernando, glittered at the top of the rack!
In 1920, heralded the golden jubilee,
Celebrated at home with much pomp and glee!
The chief guest on that day was Governor Henry Manning,
Who awarded prizes and diplomas to doctors winning.
In 1924, the medical school, to college status flowered,
In 1942, the college to university status towered!
The rise of the Medical Faculty of the University of Colombo, owes gratitude
To Sir Ivor Jennings, for his attitude and great fortitude!
With university status the faculty acquired,
The L M S degree, to the MBBS soon transpired.
Professor W A E Karunaratne was the first to the deanery,
He pioneered the subjects of public health and pathology.
In 1945, the medical school was seventy five,
Sir Nicholas Attygalle, the dean was well in line,
The Chancellor of the University, the Governor – was the chief guest
An exhibition by medicos was held with much zest!
The medical course in 1945, was extended to years five,
In 1945, there were professors five,
P. B. Fernando, W. A. E. Karunaratne and Milroy Paul,
Sterling and C. O. Hill were the professors – five in all.
Sir Nicholas Attygalle, during his period as dean,
Commenced the M.S and M.D – the post graduate degrees
As V.C of the University of Colombo he initiated,
Four new subjects for third MBBS, were then created
Professor O.E.R Abeyratne, was the 3rd Dean,
From 1954 to 1967, for years thirteen,
He was the first professor of public health,
To purchase the electron microscope, he generated much wealth.
From 1967 onwards, Prof Dissanayake was our dean,
The first faculty professor to be awarded the D.Sc
With pioneering work on filariasis and echinococcosis,
He blossomed as a world authority on parasitic zoonosis.
In 1970 June, our glorious century was a great celebration,
An event of great magnitude, that deserved commemoration
Mr. William Gopallawa, the governor general unveiled,
A tablet from the first 1870 building proclaimed!
In October 1969, we were the hundredth intake,
I was the hundredth student among one – fifty mates
In the medical exhibition held for one week,
I explained the DNA model of Watson and Crick
Of our teachers who played a significant role,
Professor Rajasuriya and Dr. Samarasinghe are of special note,
Professor Carlo Fonseka combined physiology with fire,
While Professor Lester’s Anatomy was a study to admire
Professors Lionel and Kottegoda – pharmacology teachers of great stature
While Professor Nava, Jeri and Sherifdeen taught us surgical matter,
Professors Priyani and Jasmine trained us in paediatrics,
While Professor Ranasinghe and Thavarasa were our masters in obstetrics!
In the coming century, may our school continue to soar,
Realize the aspirations of our founders and continue to roar!
May our medicos emulate wisdom, generosity and zest,
May our medical school by all faiths – forever be blessed!
The Motto of the Colombo Medical School – Competence, Compassion, Care
“Chirang Jayathu” – Long Live the Colombo Medical School!
(Acknowledgements: the late Professor Carlo Fonseka
The poem was composed by me based on the History of the Colombo Medical School written by Professor Carlo Fonseka).