He epitomised what an ideal physician should be

Dr. Chandra Dissanayake, a senior member of the expatriate Sri Lanka community in Los Angeles, passed away on August 8, 2022, at the age of 83.

After obtaining his secondary education at Nalanda College, Chandra entered the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo in 1960 and graduated from the Colombo Medical School in 1965. He did his internship at General Hospital, Ratnapura and served as house officer at the National Hospital Colombo, General Hospital Colombo South and General Hospital Kandy.

In 1974 Chandra migrated to the USA. From 1974 to 1979 he did his orthopedic residency at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, NY and paediatric orthopedics at Albert Einstein Hospital in the Bronx NY. After obtaining Board Certification in orthopedics, Chandra practised in New Jersey until 1983.

In 1983 Chandra moved to Cerritos, California and practised as an orthopedic surgeon at Kaiser Hospital South Bay from 1983 until his retirement in 2006.

Orthopedics is one of the most demanding specialties in medicine and Chandra was on call 24/7 for weeks on end, leaving him little time for personal activities. He was a highly skilled and ethical surgeon, held in the highest esteem by his patients and colleagues. In addition, friends, acquaintances and members of the Sri Lankan community, used to call him at all odd times of the day and night for free orthopedic advice, which he generously gave with no complaints.

I am ten years junior to Chandra. As a senior colleague, Chandra was a role model to me, as he epitomised what an ideal physician should be.

At a personal level I came to know Chandra when he moved to Cerritos in 1983. Chandra had many acquaintances, but only a very few close friends and I was lucky to be one of them. He was a private man, but with his close friends, he opened up about contemporary issues and had a superb sense of humour.

Following retirement, Chandra was able to spend quality time with his beloved wife of over 50 years Ramani and with his three daughters and four grandchildren whom he adored. He travelled the world with Ramani, and indulged in his passions -- reading, gardening and photography.

He was a philanthropist who donated to the local temples and to charity, though these acts were never publicized.

Chandra departed this world on August 8 after a productive and exemplary life. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and the Sri Lankan community in Los Angeles.

Farewell dear Chandra, you played your part well. Thank you for the memories and may you attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana