Dr. Lakshman Attygalle passes away

Distinguished surgeon Dr. Lakshman Attygalle died peacefully at his residence. The funeral will take place today. 

Having earned his FRCS Eng in 1963 and qualified as a genito urinary (GU) surgeon in 1966, Dr. Lakshman Attygalle was, at one time, the only GU surgeon in the country. Posted as GU Surgeon to Kandy in 1968, he was appointed to Colombo General Hospital in 1972, where he served in the same capacity until retirement in 1993. 

His illustrious career was marked by the positions he held as former president of the Ceylon College of Surgeons and President of the Vidyalankara Sabha until his passing. He was also a trustee of the Sinhalese Sports Club.

Born in 1933, Lakshman hailed from a distinguished family of medical professionals and generations of hela veda healers from Madapatha. He was the son of the late Sir Nicholas (FRCS Eng) and Lady Attygalle. His father was the first ENT surgeon in Sri Lanka as well as the first obstetrician and gynaecologist. 

Together, Lakshman and Sir Nicholas were a rare father-son combination to both have the FRCS (Eng) qualification at the time. Lakshman was also the great grandson of Dr. John Attygalle, MD Aberdeen, Colonial Surgeon of Ceylon, the first Sinhalese to qualify in Western Medicine. 

Having been educated at Royal College, Colombo, Lakshman’s illustrious career in medicine began with an education at the Colombo Medical Faculty where he graduated with a first class. 

Lakshman is survived by his wife Dr. Deepthi (nee Mendis), retired consultant anaesthesiologist; and his children, American Express Saudi Arabia Chief Executive Priyan, Royal Marsden London Consultant Pathologist Dr. Ayoma and Amila, Attorney-at-law. 

Cortege leaves residence (108, Horton Place, Colombo-7), at 10 a.m. today. Cremation at 10.30 a.m. at the General Cemetery, Kanatte (New Crematorium).