DR CHRIS URAGODA STEPS INTO THE MIGHTY NINETIES
By Hematha Situge and Dr. P. D. Kumaradasa
That eminent medical physician, pre-eminent
scholar, a prolific writer , an avid researcher
and an indefatigable nature lover
Christopher Gunapala Uragoda popularly alluded as “ Chris “ or “ CG” who carves
a niche in the annals of medical history as he reaches his 90th milestone in life
on the 22nd September this year , in the arduous journey of samsara.
Dr. Uragoda hails from Hikkaduwa
initially schooled at the local boys school secondly at the Richmond the reputed Methodist school, thereafter
at Mahinda and Ananda both leading Buddhist schools. Living adjacent to the sea
in ‘ Sandfield’ as the youngest of the
three boys where two were destined to be medical professionals and the other a lawyer , would
have seen his life through the kaleidoscope of his
father’s being a reputed surveyor - from the stock of the Woodward days
Mahindian.
Dr. Uragoda is not a mere’
physician of the wilderness’ who enjoyed a lucrative practice, a rare
bibliophile who also aspires to document
literary pursuits for posterity on novel themes. His maiden book titled: ‘ A
History of Medicine in SriLanka – from the earliest times to 1948 ‘ was
authored by him to mark the centenary of the Sri Lanka Medical Association
Colombo in 1987 which was republished in 2014’. This book was later translated
into Sinhalese .His second book titled : ‘Wildlife Conservation in Sri Lanka
was authored by him to mark the centenary of
the Wild Life and Nature Protection Society in 1994.In this book he was
in a position to trace the formative days of the Society through other
sources as the minutes of the early days
which were irretrievably lost in the
whirlgig of time.
His third opus was released as a
Sridevi publication titled: ‘Traditions of Sri Lanka’ in 2000 which was
initially his Presidential address which was delivered at
the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka( RAS) in 1990 where his topic was “ A
Scientific basis for some traditional beliefs and practices in Sri Lanka “
which ran into the a second reprint in 2008. Dr. Uragoda had the rare
distinction of being the second medical
professional to hold office as the
President of RAS; the first was Dr. J
Frazer from 1855-1869.
Dr. Uragoda co-edited with G P S
H de Silva the Sesquicentennial
Commemorative volume of the RAS of Sri
Lanka 1995 he also co-edited’ Jungle Journeys in Sri Lanka- experiences and
encounters’ published by the Vishvalekha in 2004 , ’ A Bibliography of Medical
publications relating to Sri Lanka (1981-1988)’ in 1991 ,co-edited with
Kamalika Pieris. He edited ‘ Bibliography of Medical publications
relating to Sri Lanka 1811- 1976) in 1980, he also edited ‘A Bibliography of Health 1977- 1980 in 1983 and ‘ A Bibliography of
publications on Neurosciences relating to Sri Lanka 1811-1982’ was co-edited
with J. B. Peiris and Kamalika Pieris in
1983.
He wrote his ‘ memoirs depicting
changes during a life time’ titled: ‘ Sri Lanka Then and Now ‘ in 2008
published by Vishvalekha publishers .In
2009 his book on “ Traditional Appliances and Practices “ was published as a Sridevi Publication . This
book was also based as a new theme like his other past publications. Thereafter
he embarked on series of books in three volumes titled : ‘Authors of Books on
Sri Lanka 1796-1948 Their Short Biographies in Alphabetical Order volume1’
1949-1975 volume 2 , 1976-1990 volume 3 –all were Sridevi publications
published in the years 2011,2014 and
2015 respectively which were indeed
culled from his personal rare collection.
In 2013 a book titled ; “ Camping and Jungle Trips – visits to
National Parks before or After Declaration of Status “was released as a Sridevi
publication which was published last year.
The book titled “ Little Known Wonders of Sri Lanka in 2017 was also a
Sridevi publications. In the year 2017 he wrote a personal tribute titled : “ Life of Dr. Malinga
Fernando - By an intimate friend for
over 50 years – published by Sridevi publications Dehiwela which was distributed free of charge amongst friends which is indeed a rare hallmark of a
true friend. As an octogenarian he has given the next book on “Elephant
Kraals”to the printer working on his personal computer .A snippet on the Madara
tree growing in his garden donated by Sam Elapatha Jnr. Which were regaled by
him to these writers standing under the
shade of this tree as a remedy for an attack by any pachyderm . Presently he is working on a another
thumbnail sketch or a pen sketch on the medical professionals, who have excelled in other fields.
Dr. Uragoda’s whirlwind romance
with Padma Rambukpotha bore fruition when they tied the nuptial knot on 26th
of December 1958. They celebrated their Golden jubilee in 2008. He sired four
children .Dr. Lalith, Neluka, Dianthie and Dishana and blessed with
several grand children.
Dr. Uragoda’s ‘healing touch ‘ as
an eminent medical professional is legendary.He treated the top most then the
President “JRJ’ and the ordinary plebeians or the coaster in the country . He
was fortunate to celebrate the Golden Jubilee as medical professional as he
entered the profession in 1953 serving the Galle hospital for one week .In the
year 1985 he served as member through distinction of the Faculty of
Occupational Medicine of the Royal college of Physicians of London claiming as
the only Sri Lankan to be appointed to serve so.
Dr. Uragoda was awarded the
Guinness Award of the Common Wealth Science in 1980, Peter Pillai award and the Sir S C Obeysekera Medal awarded by Lady Hilda Obeysekera of the
RAS in recognition of the distinguished
services rendered by him, where he over
five decades serves as a life member of
the society .Dr. C G Uragoda has had won unending accolades from both the
medical profession and the public . Naming two orations by the prestigious Sri
Lanka Medical Association and the College of Chest Physicians whilst he is
alive is an extremely a rare honour which is bestowed on the recognition for
his exceptional ability.
It was not of men who excelled like in
the exceptional caliber of Dr Chris Uragoda that Alexander Pope who
wrote :” One science shall one genius
fit; so vast is art so narrow is human wit .“It is a lamentable fact that as
Henry Taylor said ( Artvelde , Part 1 , Act 1 Sc. 5), “ the world knows nothing
of its greatest men “ which impelled us to write on Dr Chris Uragoda the
onerous task , as he is an intensely a ‘private ‘ person who made no public
pronouncements and did not / and do not wish to be in the limelight.
Dr. Uragoda – a distinguished
literati, a medical luminary ,an erudite scholar –sui generis – above all an
unassuming gentleman of par excellence . We wish him AD MULTOS ANNOS!!!.
