April 27, 2013, 6:20 pm

I recall vividly my last visit to Dr Lakshman Fernando. He had just returned from his morning constitutional walk looking fresh, hale and hearty. This was a couple of days before his sudden passing away on April 26, 2007. There was, that day, no indication whatsoever of the imminent end of an illustrious career and life of an exemplary human being. He is mourned by his family; and remembered by his friends and relatives for his gentle ways, simplicity, dignified humility, and total lack of desire for wealth if not earned by the rules he set himself. Sadly such committed doctors are rare among medical consultants of today.

His academic qualifications and professional achievements are no less impressive. He was an outstanding product of Ananda College and in his final year was head prefect of the school. He was a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and was an external examiner for the British MRCOG examination. Lakshman served the Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (SLCOG) as secretary from 1985 to 1987 and as president from 1993 to 1995. One of his major contributions to the College was his editorship of the history of SLCOG. He contributed the first chapter: "Origin and Progress of SLCOG" which was rich in detail and conveyed his devotion to his profession, respect for his peers and affection for his colleagues.

The beneficiaries of Lakshman’s impressive qualifications and long experience were the thousands of his patients in the non-paying wards of government hospitals in Kurunegala, Galle, Ratnapura and Colombo, and in nursing homes. He worked for short periods abroad. All those patients, wherever they are, bear testimony to his selfless service given with sympathetic commitment.

He was a man of few needs and these were satisfied in abundance with giving his profession his undivided attention. He was also happy enjoying his retirement in comfort. Very unfortunately this period of living a life of ease with his family was short.

May Lakshman’s journey through Samsara be short and may he attain Nirvana.

A friend