A Message from Prof. Vajira Weerasinghe
Prof. Carlo Fonseka is a legend in Physiology in Sri Lanka. From the time of obtaining a PhD in Physiology from the University of Edinburgh in UK in 1966, his contribution to the field of Physiology has been colossal. He is considered as one the best lecturers in Physiology because of his innate ability to articulate the most difficult physiological concepts in a manner any layman could understand taking examples mostly from his own experiences and also from everyday observations. He was the Professor of Physiology of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo since 1982. He then became the Founder Dean of the newly established Faculty of Medicine of the University of Kelaniya at Ragama. He fervently assisted Professor Valentine Basnayake to inaugurate the Physiological Society of Sri Lanka (PSSL) on the 29th of May 1987 at the New Building Lecture Theatre of the Faculty of Medicine in Colombo. The Inter- medical Faculty Physiology Quiz organized by the PSSL among the medical students for the Carlo Fonseka Challenge Trophy is a tough competition. The trophy was generously donated by him. He immensely contributed to uplift the scientific principles at PSSL meetings as well as among a large number of undergraduate and postgraduate students, and followers of him. In his charismatic way, he was extremely successful in popularizing science and in particular, physiological principles among the general public. He was one of the most sought after speakers in any meeting on any topic ranging from science, physiology, medicine, music, songs, drama, philosophy, politics etc. He was a prolific writer too.
Speaking at the A.C.E. Koch Birth Centenary Memorial Symposium held on the 20th of Nov 2003, Professor Fonseka quoted a eulogy written by an anonymous medical student about Professor A.C.E. Koch who is the first Sri Lankan Professor of Physiology and who is considered by Prof. Fonseka as his fairy godfather.
“…. He still lives with us. He is not dead – for to live in the hearts of those who truly love and revere is not to die”.
I am sure, this eulogy is equally applicable to the great physiological legend of our times, Professor Carlo Fonseka. The void created by the demise of this Physiological icon of Sri Lanka will never be filled.
Prof. Vajira Weerasinghe
Senior Professor of Physiology. Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya
and former President of the Physiological Society of Sri Lanka
