Prof. Carlo Fonseka: Inspirational ingenuity
Sri Lanka has lost one of her most reputed academics and a patriot. Thousands of medical students who were tutored under him have lost an exemplary teacher of medicine. Prof. Fonseka died at the age of 86 years. He was born in Colombo on March 4, 1933. He hailed from the salubrious climes of Divulapitiya, a fair distance from Colombo. The young Carlo Fonseka showed much maturity and intelligence from young age. Initially, he was admitted to Maris Stella College, Negombo, and thereafter entered St.Josephs College, Colombo. True to its motto ‘In scientia et Virtute’, young Carlo grew up with the inculcation of knowledge and virtue.
From his formative years, he showed interests in Medicine, Philosophy, Arts and Economics. His preference for medicine made him enter the medical college of the University of Colombo in 1955. He was a brilliant student in Medicine showing excellence in Physiology. In 1960, he obtained a first class MBBS and joined the General Hospital in Colombo as an intern. He was posted to the Mirigama Base Hospital. Prof. Fonseka later joined the Department of Physiology of Colombo University as a lecturer before proceeding to the University of Edinburgh for his doctoral studies. He was a longstanding member of the Lanka Sama Samaja party politburo and was a political activist for his party from Kotte. He has written many books and intellectual essays over a long period of time.
Prof. Fonseka is also a well known composer with lyrics, such as ‘Kalochitha Gee’. During the 1980’s, he was vociferous against the Ragama Private Medical College until it is amalgamated to Kelaniya University. He was the first Dean of the new Medical Faculty. Later, the University of Kelaniya conferred on him an M.A. for his academic achievements. He was known to excel in Buddhist studies as well.
He fought for the cause of those who opposed the SAITM. He was made the President of the Sri Lanka Medical Council under much controversy. He was also Chairman of the Board of Management of the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine at the University of Colombo, where he was made Emeritus Professor in July 2000. He was also the President of the Arts Council of Sri Lanka, Chairman of the Vijaya Kumaratunga Hospital and also Chairman of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol.
The life and work of Prof. Carlo has inspired many. Devoted to Christ, Prof. Fonseka guided thousands of those who followed him. May his soul rest in peace eternally with Christ our saviour!
Miran Perera, Kandy.