email from Gunsie
In remembrance of a great
teacher - the Best. Jey.
July 16th was the Birth Anniversary of the late Dr. R. S.
Thanabalasundaram, the well known Colombo Consultant Physician. Born in Jaffna
in 1922 he was the eldest in a family of eight children. He was the son of Mr.
Chelliah of Kokuvil who was a Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP), well
recognized at that time in the medical field since qualified doctors were
limited.
The
early education of Dr. Thanabalasundaram was at St. John’s College, Jaffna. For
secondary education he entered the prestigious Royal College in Colombo through
a competitive scholarship examination. He had an excellent academic record at
Royal College winning many prizes including the Turner Prize for outstanding
academic performance.
Pursuing
higher studies he entered the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ceylon
and graduated with first class honours which included distinctions in Medicine,
Surgery, Gynocology and Obstetrics. Joining Government Medical Service he
served in the outstations including Jaffna, Rambukkana and later at the General
Hospital, Colombo. Proceeding to London for Post Graduate studies he was
conferred the Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP) and later
obtained a Doctorate in Medicine (MD).
In
June 1956 he married Pamathy, daughter and only child of N. Sivagnanasunderam,
retired District Judge from Point Pedro. She herself has had a good academic
career with a Is’ class Degree in Sanskrit and thereafter a Masters Degree. For
a short period she taught at Ladies College, Colombo, a well recognized school
for girls, and was also a Visiting Lecturer in Sanskrit at the Aquinas
University in Colombo. She died somewhat pre-maturely with cancer in January
1978.
I
came to know Dr. Thanabalasundaram through one of his sisters, Dr. Gnanes
Selliah, later Balasubramaniam, with whom I was associated in London in 1969/70
when she was pursuing Post Graduate studies in Medicine and I was following a
Diploma in Development Administration while in the Public Service in Sri Lanka.
I came to associate with Dr. Thanabalasundaram very closely after the demise of
Pamathy and his children pursuing studies overseas. I used to visit him very
often in his Horton Place residence where he has treated numerous patients over
the years. I live in Pamankada and often when I come to the heart of Colombo
for Buddhist engagements and other activities .I visit him and engage in long
discussions on a variety of subjects including Buddhism. Although he was a
Hindu, he was interested in Buddhism especially in my work in that field. He
often read my Buddhist articles to the press and Buddhist journals of which I
was editor namely, The Annual Vesak Sirisara and The Buddhist, the quarterly
journal of the Colombo YMBA. Often in the evenings returning from meetings of
the Colombo YMBA, I use to meet him at his home. Moreover, when I had the time
between engagements I visited his home and spoke to him. If he was attending to
patients at home or visiting Nursing Homes I attended to my own work making
myself thoroughly at home at his residence which became a second home to me.
Dr.
Thanabalasundaram retired pre-maturely from Government service when Private
Practice for Government Consultants was withdrawn by the Government and
developed a roaring practice as a Consultant Physician. At that time with limited
Specialists in the Medical Arena, a Consultant Physician treated a large
variety of patients. The hallmark of Medical Consultation was the physical
examination where the Physician carefully observed the reaction of the patient
to pressure exerted on the body. This is in contrast to the situation today
where the side bed to examine patients is hardly used and doctors relying on
medical reports from laboratories. An error or a mix-up of reports could lead
to a wrong diagnosis.
He
visited numerous homes to treat patients and fees at that time in the early
1960s, was Rs.20/- for consultation at the residence of the Doctor and Rs.25/-
for a visit to the home of the patient. In contrast today doctors do not visit
homes and we often have the sad situation of a seriously ill patient’s wife or
husband or close relation consulting the doctor who prescribe treatment without
seeing the patient which to layman appear most unsatisfactory. This aspect is
unfortunately not highlighted in the social media.
I
had been his patient and close friend for over 35 years from early 1970s until
his demise in 2007. I missed him very much as a patient. He so well understood
my medical condition that often for not too serious ailments he prescribed
treatment on information provided over the telephone. To me his treatment was
most often successful.
A
competent Consultant Physician he was so devoted to his profession and the
welfare of his patients. Dr. Thanabalasundarm had three children and all are
doing well overseas. During his last illness for almost three months at least
one of them was in Colombo despite their commitments overseas. His son Sudarman
Thanabalasundaram is in UK while two daughters Suchita Srikanthan and Sumangala
Santiapillai are in the USA and UK respectively.
Dr.
Thanabalasundaram was born as a Hindu, lived as a Hindu and died as a Hindu. So
I wish him Moksha. However, taking in to consideration his interest and
reasonable understanding and appreciation of the Dhamma I wish him the Supreme
Peace of Nibbana.
May
all beings be well and happy. May they all eventually pass away as they must
peacefully without being a burden on themselves or others.
Rajah Kuruppu,
Colombo 6.
The Island 2/08/15
