A brief Appreciation on Dr Nihal Thenabadu my cousin – By Sunil Thenabadu

Nihal Thenabadu was born to humble unsophisticated parents, father was a Mudaliyar while mother was a teacher. He was the eldest of three siblings, Sarath was his younger brother and Gnani was his younger sister dwelled at Ratnakara Place Dehiwala .Nihal and Sarath were educated at St.Peter’s College Bambalapitiya while Gnani was a student at Visakha Vidyalaya Bambalapitiya.All three were very studious and bright students while in the respective schools. Nihal entered the Medical College in year 1965 where he excelled throughout his career. His brother Saratn took wing to England while sister Gnani to Sydney. He lived with his family at Hyde Park residencies.Nihal has had a prolific private practice when he predominantly practiced at the Nawaloaka hospital.His name was a household name among all heart patients in native Sri Lanka.

The pioneering and visionary Cardiologist Dr. Nihal Thenabadu passed away peacefully on the 14th and was cremated at Borella Kanata yesterday, 17th Saturday. He leaves behind wife Shiranie de Silva ( daughter of Dr. B.K. De Silva was the Director of Health when he got married & Evelyn Manomani who died in May 2003). Nihal & Shiranie’s daughters are; Shiyana and Dinushi. Grandchildren Renesh, Roen and Kira, Nihal’s siblings are Dr Sarath Thenabadu and Dr Gnanalatha,

Dr. Nihal Thenabadu whose contributions revolutionised the cardiology field had been appointed to the General Hospital Colombo in 1971 as the Physician-in-Charge of the Cardiac Investigation Unit and in 1987 he had taken up the post of Consultant Cardiologist at the Institute of Cardiology and served in that capacity until his retirement in 2001.

A true visionary, he brought cardiology into the 21st century through his innovative approach and unwavering commitment to excellence. He pioneered the  utilisation of cardiac devices including coronary stenting, and other interventions in both adult and paediatric cardiology. He was also instrumental in introducing the specialties of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Paediatric Cardiology.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Thenabadu had not only been a trailblazer in cardiology but also a dedicated mentor who trained several generations who are now interventional Cardiologists. His passion for teaching and sharing knowledge influenced countless medical professionals and helped shape the future of cardiology in Sri Lanka.

Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane email sthenabadu@hotmail.com