He was a benefactor to so many

Much loved and admired by many, the benevolent Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage breathed his last on January 21, after a brief illness.

Dr Athula became somewhat connected to me through his marriage to Indira de Silva whose brother Lasantha de Silva, retired DIG, married my sister-inlaw Deanna. If my memory serves me right, my wife and I took Indira to St. Theresa’s Church, Thimbirigasyaya, on the day of their wedding. Indira’s parents were known to us. Athula hailed from Anuradhapura and through his dedication, hard work, honesty and professionalism over the years, he rose to the highest position in the Department of Health as Director General of Medical Services of Sri Lanka.

His efficiency and dedication were recognized by the World Health Organisation when he was appointed as the Regional Representative of the WHO based in New Delhi.

He was ever ready to help those in need. He never said “Sorry, I am not in a position to help” but always willingly attended to people’s needs.

In 1996 I was transferred as DIG North/Western range, based in Kurunegala. My family stayed in the government quarters at Slave Island. I occupied the DIG’s bungalow near the lake and lived on my own with an assistant provided by the Police Department. Athula was MOH Kurunegala and we used to interact almost daily. Indira who was based in Wariyapola used to send home-cooked lunches for him and from the day I took over the N/W Range, they made it a point to send lunch to me too. Whenever any Police Officers or their families had any medical problems, I had only to inform him and they were given priority treatment in all government hospitals. This help extended to our family members too.

When I underwent a knee transplant surgery at the Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital where Athula was Director

General of the Hospital, Athula and Indira would visit me every night. Many attendants and nurses related how helpful he had been to them too and how he had started a fund with part of his salary to help patients who lacked the necessary finances and also members of the clergy who received treatment at the hospital.

A few years ago when I travelled to Delhi to attend a funeral, Athula and Indira met me, brought me back to his official residence as a WHO representative, taking care of everything.

Indira looked after Athula very well during the past few years when he faced some health problems. She never gave up, but fought to the last. On behalf of my family and all friends we express our sympathies to Indira and their son. We have lost a benefactor who did not permit his left hand to know what his right hand did, to help many.

May his soul rest in peace.