Dr Chris Uragoda turns a nonagenarian
Life well lived, career well coursed
Thursday, September 27, 2018 - 01:00
It was not of men who excelled like in the exceptional calibre 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 Chris Uragoda |
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 reached his 90th milestone on September 22.
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 Sri Lanka – from the earliest times to 1948 was authored to mark the centenary of the Sri Lanka Medical Association in 1987 which was republished in 2014. This book was later translated into Sinhalese. His second book Wildlife Conservation in Sri Lanka was authored to mark the centenary of the Wild Life and Nature Protection Society in 1994. This book traces 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 magnum opus, Traditions of Sri Lanka encompasses his Presidential address delivered at the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (RAS) in 1990 on scientific basis for traditional beliefs and practices in Sri Lanka. 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 to 1869.
Dr Uragoda co-edited with G P S H de Silva the Sesquicentennial Commemorative Volume of the RAS. He also co-edited Jungle Journeys in Sri Lanka - experiences and encounters, A Bibliography of Medical publications relating to Sri Lanka (1981-1988). He wrote his memoirs depicting changes during a lifetime titled Sri Lanka Then and Now in 2008. In 2009 his book on Traditional Appliances and Practices was published. This book was also based as a new theme as 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 published in 2011, 2014 and 2015.
In 2013 Camping and Jungle Trips – visits to National Parks before or After Declaration of Status was released. Little Known Wonders of Sri Lanka was published in 2017. He wrote a personal tribute titled Life of Dr Malinga Fernando - By an intimate friend for over 50 years. The book was distributed free of charge amongst friends which is indeed a rare hallmark of a true friend.
As an octogenarian, he published the next book on Elephant Kraals. Presently he is working on 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 December 26, 1958. They celebrated their Golden Jubilee in 2008. He sired four children .Dr. Lalith, Neluka, Dianthie and Dishana and blessed with several grandchildren.
Dr Uragoda’s healing touch as an eminent medical professional is legendary. He treated the then President JR Jayewardene as well as the ordinary plebeians or the coaster in the country.
He was fortunate to celebrate the Golden Jubilee as a medical professional as he entered the profession in 1953 serving the Galle hospital for one week.
In 1985, he served as a member through the 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.
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!
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