Of Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera

by Dr. Reggie Goonetilleke


(December 06, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) When I heard that Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera was to be feted on his 80th birthday, I felt that as a dental surgeon I should not let the occasion pass by without some reflections from us, the professional dental surgeons.

I believe very few know that he is a highly qualified dental surgeon; it is perhaps his very professionalism that makes him make little, or often no reference to his professional career. I have known incidents where patients who have been treated by him, have hung around gingerly to find out whether he, Dr.G.S.Amarasekera is related to the famous writer Gunadasa Amarasekera. Their jaws drop when they learn that it is the one and the same person. A little known fact is that when he was a student learning dental surgery at the Dental School, his contemporaries in the Arts Faculty were reading his books for their examinations!

As a schoolboy, I too had read his books.In fact my choice of a profession was, unknown to him, much influenced by him. When I sat the University Entrance Examination, I was selected for dental surgery, I did not care for it, and like that of many others my ambition too was to do medicine. However, when I discussed the options with a friend of mine,’ study science’,’ or attempt to do medicine’, he happened to tell me that Gunadasa Amarasekera is a dental surgeon. Almost inspired, I opted to do dentistry, and have never looked back since, enjoying every minute of it.

Why it is necessary to talk on Dr. Amarasekera as a dental surgeon is not just because he represents a rarity - a combination of two ‘unrelated’ careers, but because of his contribution to the field of dentistry. He did not leave dentistry as he found it, but contributed to enhance its image.

Let me explain. At the beginning, dentistry was a department under the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo; basic sciences were taught in Colombo and clinical training was at the Dental School Peradeniya. There was no provision for Dental Surgeons to do Post Graduate Training abroad. Fellowship in Dental Surgery was considered beyond the natives at the time, and perhaps unnecessary, so much so that S. B. Dissanayake of the Dental School Peradeniya was sent to England for a Diploma. He returned with FDSRCS, the first Sri Lankan, opening the door for possibilities in the profession. Colombo was the Examination Centre in the region for Part I of the Fellowship – then known as the Primary Examination. Young hopefuls as well as veterans followed the fates of candidates sitting Part I. When I was in Colombo, on my internship in 1966, we were agog with the news that Dr. Amarasekera was the only candidate to pass the Primary Examination.

There was still no scholarship or leave to pursue Post graduate training. I believe it was Dr. Amarasekera who was instrumental in convincing the authorities that this facility was a necessity. The procedure was put in place, and Dr. Amarasekera was the first to go on a government scholarship for Post Graduate training. On his return, his salary was yet that of a grade dental surgeon. He fought by himself to obtain his right.

Soon, with the post of Surgeon in Charge of the Dental Institute, Colombo, falling vacant on the retirement of Dr. FAL Fernando, Dr. Amarasekera was appointed to the post. I had meanwhile got through the Part I Examination, but the scholarship did not come to me by way of course. Certain ‘interested parties’ objected to it, but Dr. Amarasekera stood right by me and his support was most instrumental in getting me my scholarship. On my return to the country during the many years I have worked with him at the Dental Institute, I have had many occasions to witness his humanity and his fearless adherence to what is right.

During this period, Dental Surgeons did not enjoy the privileges enjoyed by the medical colleagues. Many were the times we fought for our rights. I, as the President of the Dental Surgeons’ Trade Union and Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, the current Minister for Lands and Land Development as Secretary. The Minister we had to tackle then was Mr. Felix Dias Bandaranaike, held in awe, known to be not for his total lack of arrogance. Our delegates included Dr. Amarasekera. We were called for a meeting at the minister’s residence. The minister could see the justice of our demands; then one highly placed treasury official started ridiculing dental surgeons and the profession. In an instant, Dr. Amarasekera was on his feet. He lambasted the official, and told the minister that such officials would be sufficient to bring down any government. The minister adjourned the meeting, and almost the following day we were called to the ministry, and almost all our demands were granted. Such was Dr. Amarasekera’s courage. This was in 1976.

Then again in the early 80s, we were confronted with a crisis. The government decided to conduct all Post Graduate training locally. This was opposed by the GMOA and the GDSA of which I was the President. The government took the decision because many, if not all who went on Post-Graduate scholarships never returned to the country. Local training was started under the able leadership of Dr. S. A. Cabraal; Dentistry was not included. In convincing the Director of the PGIM, Dr. Amarasekera’s role was crucial; he was the first President of the College of Dentistry and Stomotology and I was its first Secretary. We faced opposition from the Dental School, refusing to cooperate. However, Dr.Amarasekera managed to convince the Board of Management of the PGIM which was then headed by Dr. R. P. Jayawardene; and finally we managed to convince everyone concerned and Post Graduate Training in Dental Surgery was started. Dr. Amarasekera took a keen interest in the activities of Post Graduate Training and within a very short time, reciprocal recognition of Post Graduate Training was approved by the Royal College of Surgeons England and by the Edinburgh College. As a matter of fact, one external examiner mentioned in his report that "a candidate who sits for MS (Dental Surgery), has to know more than a candidate who sits for FDSRCS England." Such was the devotion, dedication and achievement of Dr. Amarasekera as the Chairman of the Board of Study in Dental Surgery of the PGIM. Our trainees had no difficulty in finding placements for overseas training.

I feel at this juncture I will be failing in my duty if I do not put these on record, for as I said earlier, he did not leave the profession as he found it, but gave lustre to it.

Dr. Amarasekera is a friend to everyone whom he comes across. In the hospital, everyone from the labourer to the consultant went to him when they were in trouble. He helped everyone, irrespective of position and status, and guided them all in the correct path. I have disagreed with him on several occasions; now thinking back I feel it must have been due to my inability to understand what he meant at the time, but for him an event was an event, over and done with. He was a ‘Friend, Philosopher and Guide’ to all who came across to him. He had time for anyone who came to see him. Everyone of us who have achieved any success owes something to this Colossus of a little man.

On this 80th year, we celebrate our association with you, and wish you good fortune and long life. - Sri Lanka Guardian