From the Bat of Skanda Kumar – Australia’s Former High Commissioner’s Tribute to Dr K N. Balan – Four Score Milestone

From the Bat of Skanda Kumar – Australia’s Former High Commissioner’s Tribute to Dr K N. Balan – Four Score Milestone

As a compassionate retired General Practitioner wakes up in his comfortable London Road bed on 9th August 2026 ,I will take a brief walk down memory lane to reflect on a remarkably successful and  rewarding journey of four score and none. 

A thorough bred Jaffna Johnian, he changed course to a new life at the Colombo  University to spend  five challenging years from 1967 pursuing a medical degree.  Then in the internship that followed his graduation he served it out in Galewela leaving a legacy for his medical care before a marriage made in heaven to Kalyani Strong took him to London.

I still recall our first meeting there in the summer of  1979….and his comment as we hugged each other ” Did  we ever dream that we would be standing on the streets of London speaking loudly in Tamil !”

And so began an eventful life with his devoted  soulmate in his newly adopted country that took him from Hithergreen , to Ipswich , to  Abercorn Gardens/ Preston Road and finally to their very prestigious home at 17 London Road in 1995. An abode  which over the next two decades became my London home for my annual vacation as well.

His practice was not confined to medical prescriptions only. He soon became a trusted confidant to numerous Tamil refugees who had huge emotional scars fleeing the brutal conflict that raged in Sri Lanka. His patience and understanding  not only gave many hope and confidence, but also inspired their success. 

In 2011 following the end of the conflict ,  along with a colleague from his University days Dr Dan Muthuveloe he pioneered a daily feeding programme for the destitute children in the north and east of  Sri Lanka . Together they  named it Oru Paanai. 15 years later  that project has expanded to embrace destitute elders, support education , empower agriculture  and livestock farming for the poor and will remain a tribute to his early initiative and vision.  

I have had the privilege of chairing the Srilankan branch of that UK based charity since its inception.

Blessed with a devoted wife, Kalyani his pillar of strength,  children Meera and Prashath, making significant strides in the medical field in the UK and five lovely grand children , Dr Nandhabalan can look back with great pride on his 80  years and say with contentment ” It has all been well worthwhile “

Congratulations on a remarkable journey my very dear cousin and friend and many happy and healthy returns of the day.

May God ‘ s  blessings  continue to be with you

Skanda