Dr. P. R. Anthonis dead

Eminent surgeon and one of Sri Lanka's most illustrious sons Deshamanya Dr. P. R. Anthonis passed away yesterday one month shy of his 99th birthday.

A legend in his lifetime for his healing touch and skills and dexterity as a surgeon Dr. Anthonis was until very recently the oldest active practitioner of his craft in South Asia. Born on January 11, 1911 young Anthonis showed early promise of what he was to achieve later in life as the country's most talked about medical practitioner.

At his Alma Mater St. Peter's he carried away almost all the class prizes at annual prize givings of the school. Entering Medical College in 1930 he excelled as a student topping his batch virtually in almost all subjects and winning the Loos Gold Medal for Pathology, the Mathew Gold Medal for Forensic Medicine, Rockwood Gold Medal for surgery and Government diploma level.

Passing out of the Medical College in 1936 he took up appointment as a Medical Officer in the Public Service.In 1945 he proceeded to the United Kingdom where he was successful in the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, passing both primary and final examinations in the first sitting thereby not only creating a record at the Royal College of Surgeons but also by becoming the youngest Fellow of the College.

Returning to Sri Lanka in 1947 turning down a lucrative appointment in the UK (an example to today's doctors going on scholarships) he embarked on his star studded career at the Colombo General Hospital.

A devout Buddhist Dr Anthonis was also a member of the Board of Governors of the YMBA and a member of the Board of Trustees of Vajiraramaya. He was conferred the highest National Honour Deshamanya in 1986 and was also bestowed with the title Vishwa Prasadini.