Lakshman Kadirgamar Gold Medal for Peradeniya University’s Best MBBS Finalist

The Lakshman Kadirgamar Foundation together with the University of Peradeniya launched the ‘SriLankaabhimanya Lakshman Kadirgamar Gold Medal for Excellence for the highest achiever in the Final MBBS exam for Medical Degrees at a function at the University’s Medical Faculty on Friday.

The event coincided with the ninth death anniversary of the former Foreign Minister who was assassinated by the LTTE on the night of August 12, 2005, at his residence.

A donation of Rs. 1 million was made on behalf of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Foundation by the late Minister’s widow, Suganthie Kadirgamar, to the Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Athula Senaratne, as a startup for the award.

The award will be given annually to the student who records the best performance and obtains a 1st Class Honours at the Final MBBS exam, and has shown commendable performance in extra-curricular activities during his/her undergraduate medical career.

Seeds were planted for this prestigious medal in 2012, at the 34th Annual Academic Sessions of the Kandy Society of Medicine, states a release from the Medical Faculty of Peradeniya University.

At the inaugural Session, the late Minister Kadirgamar was symbolically honoured as the Chief Guest. Moved by the act of honour bestowed on the late Minis- ter, Mrs Kadirgamar and the members of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Foundation decided to offer this Gold medal to honour the medical profession. This news was announced at the annual sessions, followed by the letter of offer to the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. Thereafter, criteria were laid down, title of the medal decided, and the proposal went through the usual university procedure until final approval was obtained, the release further states.

Faculty of Medicine Dean, Prof M.D. Lamawansa welcomed the guests at Friday’s function. In his speech, he acknowledged the importance of this medal to the university and briefed the guests on what is happening at the Faculty.

Former president of the Kandy Society of Medicine, Prof Chandrika Jayasinghe, referred to the academic brilliance, athletic radiance and eloquence in speech of this extraordinary son of Lanka. She made special reference of how the late Minister projected his vision for a new Sri Lanka, which went far beyond the parochial boundaries of race, caste, creed and religion.

She further said, “This remarkable act of generosity by the Kadirgamar Foundation would remind us, at every convocation, of this most worthy fellow alumnus that Peradeniya University produced in its illustrious history.”

Mrs Kadirgamar explained to the audience how the process commenced and how grateful she is to the members of the Medical profession who were involved, and to the members of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Foundation who made the donation to establish this annual award.

H.M.G.S. Palihakkara, former Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, another alumnus of the Peradeniya University, emphasised the value of this award to the University and to the student community.