Recapitulating my learning experience in treating battle casualties The origin of the North-East conflict can be traced to the explosion of a landmine in Thirunvely, Jaffna on the 23rd July 1983. By 1985, the violence had spread to the Eastern Province. I was the only surgeon at the Base Hospital in Polonnaruwa at that time. Treating casualties became my responsibility. There was no help from anywhere. I had no option but to do my best for the injured and undertook…

Read More Read More

‘Prisoner of War’ undergoes surgery at the Sri Jayewardenapura General Hospital The Staff in the ward await my arrival and an exciting day ahead! 29th November 1994 I wanted to make a surprise appearance in my ward at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital (SJGH) on the 29th morning. However, that was not possible. I had to call the ward on the 28th on arrival from Jaffna by aircraft informing them that I was sending a patient for admission. That was…

Read More Read More

A true-to-life account of high-risk adventure and “acrobatics” at sea I left Colombo on the 16th November 1994 and reached Jaffna on the 17th November after a devious journey which took me and the others, first, from Colombo to Trincomalee by bus. Then it was by ICRC ship Flamboyan from Trincomalee to Point Pedro Jetty. From there it was in a kerosene-driven old Austin Cambridge to the city of Jaffna. No doubt the journey took a considerable length of time…

Read More Read More