DR CHRIS URAGODA STEPS INTO THE MIGHTY NINETIES By Hematha Situge and Dr. P. D. Kumaradasa

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 90^th milestone in life on the 22^nd 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 26^th 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!!!.