75th birthday of Dr. Dilkushi Anula Wijesundere The memorable journey of a remarkable medical consultant

Dr. Dilukhshi Anula Wijesundare

By Dharshan Silva

In celebration of Dr. Anula Wijesundere’s 75th birthday, I, as a family friend, find it fitting to reflect on her remarkable life. She is a devoted, compassionate, and approachable medical consultant who has dedicated over five decades to her profession. Her unwavering commitment to the health of her patients, especially those from ordinary backgrounds, is truly admirable. We extend our warmest wishes for her continued well-being and hope she remains a source of inspiration for many. Dr. Anula Wijesundere, MBBS (Ceylon), MD (Ceylon), MRCP (UK), DCH (UK), DGM (UK), FCCP, FRCP, FRACP, possesses extensive medical expertise and is not only an inspiring lifesaver, but also a distinguished individual, serving as a role model and mentor to countless aspiring physicians. She is married to Dr. Ajita Wijesundere MBBS(Ceylon), MS(Ceylon), FRCOG(UK), FCOG(SL) Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, and together they are blessed with three children and four grandchildren.

Academic career 

Dr. Anula Wijesundere is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. D. H. Samaranayke. She is an alumna of Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo, where she was appointed the Head Prefect in 1968. After achieving the highest results among female candidates and securing the third position in the GCE A/L examination in 1969, she enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Colombo. During her time in medical school, she earned six distinctions, one gold medal, and graduated with second class upper division honors in her receiving the MBBS (Ceylon) degree in 1974. She later obtained the MD (Ceylon), MRCP (UK), DCH (UK), and DGM (UK), and was subsequently awarded the FCCP, FRCP, and honorary FRACP.

Contributions in the Polonnaruwa era

In 1985, following the appointment of her husband, Dr. Ajita Wijesundere, as the consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Polonnaruwa Base Hospital, Dr. Anula Wijesundere submitted her application for the vacant position of Consultant Physician at the same hospital. Dr Anula Wijesundere was the sole candidate to submit an application for that position during a time characterised by severe ethnic strife, which intensified into a civil war, resulting in multiple assaults on civilians in the border areas of the Polonnaruwa District. 

Simultaneously, the nation experienced political turmoil marked by extensive violence and population displacements. Amidst these difficulties, she played a crucial role in addressing severe outbreaks of malaria and Japanese Encephalitis. She mentioned that the shortage of doctors necessitated her and her husband, Dr Ajita Wijesundere as VOG, consultant surgeon Dr Gamini Goonetilleke, and other doctors had to work around the clock. She said by that time the Polonnaruwa hospital had served as a central hospital treating injured soldiers during the civil war which was more focussed in liberation of the East at that time. She stated that Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke, the consultant surgeon at the Polonnaruwa Base Hospital during that period, demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to treating severely injured soldiers defending our motherland, as well as hundreds of civilians. She noted that, during that period, consultants were required to make independent decisions in managing circumstances that are not encountered today. 

After her tenure at the Polonnaruwa Base Hospital, she held the position of Consultant Physician at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital in Ragama, where she conducted extensive research on alcohol and drug dependence as well as leptospirosis. Thereafter she dedicated 22 years of her career to the Sri Jayawardenepura General Hospital before retiring in 2015, after 42 years of service to the government of Sri Lanka. She is currently practicing as a senior consultant physician at Asiri Medical Hospital in Colombo. As of now she has dedicated over fifty years to her career in the medical field. 

Malaria eradication from Sri Lanka 

She was chosen to present six medical orations and made history as the first woman to deliver the S.C. Paul oration with her talk titled “Malaria – The Scourge of Polonnaruwa.” Additionally, she received the Wijerama award for the best scientific paper at the centenary congress of the SLMA for her presentation on “Neurological Complications of Malaria in the Polonnaruwa District.” In this paper she noted febrile fits, acute cerebellar syndrome, toxic confusional state, cerebral malaria, Guillain-Barre syndrome, extra pyramidal tremor, delayed psychosis, as reversible myopathy neurological complications due to malaria. 

I had the privilege of attending the Deshabandu Dr. C.G. Uragoda MBBS(Ceylon), MD(Ceylon), Honorary D.Sc (Colombo), FRCP (Edinburgh) and FRCP (Glasgow) Oration on the History of Medicine, titled “History of Malaria in Sri Lanka: The Scourge of Nine Centuries,” delivered by Dr. Anula Wijesundere on February 26, 2025, at the Lionel Memorial Auditorium, Sri Lanka Medical Association. 

During the Deshabandu Dr. C.G. Uragoda Oration, Dr Anula Wijesundere  commented that malaria could be, a potentially fatal disease, if diagnosis and treatment are delayed.  Dr. Anula Wijesundere provided a comprehensive overview of malaria’s history from a global perspective, detailing its spread. 

She presented a statistical analysis demonstrating that poor decision-making during certain periods in Sri Lanka which contributed to the resurgence of malaria epidemics in the country. 

Other notable contributions 

In 2001, she held the position of President of the Ceylon College of Physicians. In 2013, she was appointed as the Founding Professor of Medicine at Kotelawala Defence University, where she served for five years. In 2019, she assumed the role of President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, and in 2022, she became the President of the Colombo Medical School Alumni Association. Through her leadership during this time, these associations effectively advocated to the government whenever action was needed and tackled numerous deficiencies within the health sector.

Currently, she serves as the Patron of the Ceylon College of Physicians, the Vice President of the Sri Lanka Temperance Association, and the Chairperson of the SLMA expert committee focused on control of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs.

Her academic contributions include 64 peer-reviewed publications in medical journals from Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom, along with over 70 scientific presentations at annual congresses in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Japan. Additionally, she was awarded a fellowship in Sweden to instruct medical personnel in the art of clinical examination.

Upliftment and conservation of the cultural, economic and social standards 

She is a devout and dedicated Buddhist who generously contributed her entire retirement gratuity to the construction of the Cheithya at Prathibimbaramaya in Medawachchiya.

Dr. Anula Wijesundere serves as the President of “Success Colombo,” an organization focused on enhancing and preserving cultural, economic, and social standards. This society has made significant strides in promoting the Buddha Sasana by facilitating the construction of Bana halls, Cheithyas, and Budu maduru. To date, “Success Colombo” has organized over 1,900 free medical clinics in previously underserved villages such as Weli-oya, Mannar, Trincomalee, Vavuniya, and Ampara. Additionally, the society has completed numerous water projects and provided bicycles, agricultural tools, and sewing machines to elevate the economic conditions of residents in these areas. Educational grants and medical support are also extended to low-income families.

During the 30-year conflict, “Success Colombo” supported the Sri Lanka Army by supplying an ambulance, a tractor and trailer, as well as millions of rupees worth  medical and surgical equipment to the Sri Lanka Army hospital. They also provided rehabilitation equipment to the Ranaviru Hospital in Ragama. The organization boosted the morale of the Ranaviru soldiers during the war by visiting them in their bunkers and supplying them with water, sweets, insect repellents, and other necessities.

Recognition of social service

Dr Anula Wijesundere has been honoured with ten awards for her contributions to social service. Notably, she received the Zonta Award for “Woman of Achievement” in 2000 and the International Women’s Day Award in 2013. 

In 2019, she was recognised with the National Award, “Sri Lanka Shikkhamani,” for her dedicated services to the nation.

She also has been appointed as a member of the Constitutional Council of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. The Constitutional Council (CC) is a 10-member constitutional authority in Sri Lanka tasked with maintaining independent commissions and monitoring its affairs. The Constitutional Council is aimed at depoliticizing the public service. Dr. Prathap Ramanujam, Dr.  Anula Wijesundere and Dr. (Mrs) Dinesha Samararatne were appointed as the three persons as non members of Parliament. The aforesaid names were approved by Parliament on 18.01.2023 in keeping with the provisions of the Article 41A (5) of the Constitution and on the nomination of the Hon Speaker as per the Article 41A (1)(e)(iii) of the Constitution, the Hon President appointed the aforesaid persons as members of the Council.

May the Triple Gem bless and reward Dr.  Dilkushi Anula Wijesundere for saving lives. Have a wonderful day, doctor.

(The writer is the Chief Executive Officer of Abans Finance PLC, is also the son of the late Dr. D.V.H. Silva FRCOG(UK), who served as a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist)