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by Stanley E. Abeynayake

Thirty four years ago, on September 3, 1969, there passed away at 'Wicherly', Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 at the ripe mature age of 88 years. Dr. R. L. Spittel, FRCS (London), the pioneer surgeon of Sri Lanka during the British colonial era, the sole supreme voice of the aborigines of our country, the Veddhas, well-known author on wildlife and anthropologist of no mean repute.

Of course, the first FRCS (surgeon) was Dr. S. C. Paul, the second was Dr. A. M. de Silva and the third was Dr. R. L. Spittel. Dr. Richard Lionel Spittel hailed from a respectable, educated Dutch Burgher family in Colombo and was born on December 9, 1881. His father was Dr. F. G. Spittel, Provincial Surgeon who was himself a wildlife enthusiast - and was married to one Miss Jansz from Galle also of sturdy Dutch origin.

Dr. R. L. Spittel

After his bright secondary education, where he also did well in cricket and sports, young Spittel joined the Ceylon Medical college and obtained the then available medical qualification of LMS (Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery), a diploma equivalent to the present day MBBS degree.

He then proceeded to England and got the higher qualifications of MRCS (Eng.), LRCP (London) and FRCS (London). On his return he was appointed the Surgeon, General Hospital, Colombo in May 1905. In 1910, he was appointed as the lecturer in Anatomy at the Medical College.

Of him, it could be most reasonably asserted thus:

"The heights by great men reached and kept
Were not obtained by sudden flight
But they while their companions slept,
Were toiling upwards in the night."

As a lover of nature, wildlife and environment, he became interested in the aborigines of our country - the 'Veddhas' and whenever he found time as a respite from his busy life as a surgeon he travelled with his daughter to their far off settlements in Bintenne, in the Uva Province. They affectionately called him 'Hudu Hura' (white blood brother').

His monumental works on wildlife were 'Wild Ceylon', first published in 1924, the second in 1930, the third in 1945 and the fourth edition in 1951. 'Far Off Things' (1930), 'Savage Sanctuary' (1939), 'Vanished Trails' (1939), 'Where the Sambur Roams', 'Wild White Boy', a book of lovely poems, 'Brave Island' an excellent and exhilarating book.

The latter work was authored by Dr. R. L. Spittel and his daughter Christine Wilson. In the field of medicine, he authored 'Framboesia Tropical', 'Preliminary Course Surgery' and 'Surgical Ward Work'.

With his daughter Christine he highly appreciated the company of well-known Veddah chieftain Tissahamy and his compatriots such as Waida, Kaira, Kombuwa, Hauduna, Tikiri Wanniya, Gombira, Randunna, Kalukumi, Ranmenike, Neela etc.

His visits to them included then secluded such places like Mahiyangana, Bandaraduwa (Off Gal-Oya valley), Bokkebedda, Pollebedde, off Maha-Oya, Dambana and Henanigala.

'Gam Veddhas', the off shoots of the 'Gal-Veddhas' now reformed attracted his attention when he visited them even at the age of 82 years.

The former clan at the very outset lived in caves in the forests and were hunters, whilst the latter in course of time cleared jungles and took to farming as well besides engaging in hunting. They also abandoned dwelling in caves and put up thatched, wattle-daubed huts to live in. Their chieftain Tappal Bandiya was also a specimen of the much changed aborigines to him and he observed that they have adopted pure Sinhala names getting used to that mode of living. Veddah dances and rituals for example, 'Kirikoraha' dance fascinated him.

Besides being a stalwart of the Dutch Burgher Union, he was also the President of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society. He functioned as the honorary editor of that institution for 30 years.

For his excellent services as a surgeon and untiring efforts in the uplift and interests of the aborigines of our country, he was conferred with the imperial honour of KBE. 'Eighty Club' was the brain child of Dr. Spittel - a unique literary club with Professor Marrs Reed, principal of the Royal College and others of similar calibre.

He got married to Claribel Van Dort, daughter of Dr. W. G. Van Dort, one of the foremost medical practitioners of his day, also a nominated member of the Legislative Council.

The couple was blessed with two children, both daughters. The elder child died at the age of two. The younger daughter Christine, also an authoress on wildlife and lover of same, married a Scottish engineer. Her publications are 'The Bitter Berry', 'The Mountain Road', 'Tea Plantations', 'Brave Island' co-authored with her father, 'Surgeon of the Wilderness'. At present they live in Nairobi, Kenya. No wonder they have settled down in the most suitable place to foster their first love - nature coupled with their enthusiasm for environment protection.

He lived a full life as a medical professional, - surgeon who fulfilled his cultural and literary tastes too.

May Dr. R. L. Spittel, a unique gentleman of diverse and manifold activities and pure-hearted humanitarian rest in peace.

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