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Month: July 2020

Military ward opened in Polonnaruwa – 1986

Military ward opened in Polonnaruwa – 1986

Casualty Management at the Base Hospital in Polonnaruwa was going on smoothly. I promoted the idea of establishing a Military ward to the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army. That was accepted and a special ward was built adjoining the main hospital. This was opened in November 1986. An Intensive Care Unit with two beds was also set up mainly for the service personnel injured in the conflict. As the war intensified more and more services personnel injured in conflict…

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First exposure to war injuries

First exposure to war injuries

Treating war victims: a learning experience As a medical student or as a doctor, I was never taught nor did I study about War injuries, their implications or the principles of their management. We grew up and learnt medicine and surgery during peaceful times when these were not seen. The initial exposure to these gruesome circumstances was dreadful and horrendous. It was my duty to attend to these casualties as they were brought to hospital. Suddenly one morning in July…

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Reminiscence of Six Exciting Years as a Surgeon

Reminiscence of Six Exciting Years as a Surgeon

Base Hospital, Polonnaruwa (1982-1988) My first posting I was 32 years old, just returned after qualifying as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) and a post graduate training in the UK. After a short spell as the Resident Surgeon of the Accident Service of the General Hospital Colombo, I asked for a transfer from this unit. I was offered the post of Consultant Surgeon at the Base Hospital, Polonnaruwa. I was in two minds. I had never…

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Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of Lanka, from the eleventh to the end of the first quarter of the thirteenth century A D occupies an eastern location in the dry zone of the North Central Province.  The ancient rulers built vast irrigation reservoirs. With the development of irrigation works and agricultural activities Polonnaruwa became a flourishing city with an agrarian economy. The famous Kings who ruled Polonnaruwa include Vijayabahu 1, Parakramabahu and Nissankamalla.  Polonnaruwa  considered one of the best preserved historic…

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