Dr. Sarath Abeykoon

Dr. Sarath Abeykoon who sadly passed away whilst still in his prime was an exemplary product of S. Thomas’ College where he excelled all round as one of the top academics, was the recipient of The Victoria Jubilee Gold Medal for the Best All round student, captain of the Fives team, member of the hockey, athletics and basket ball teams and Head Prefect.

He went on to be a senior Oncologist and Director of the Maharagama Cancer Hospital. He retired and joined Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited as a Medical Director of the Radiation Treatment Centre.

He was a human-being of the highest quality and was a brilliant oncologist who shunned private practice, and his mission in life was healing Cancer patients afflicted with this deadly illness. He once remarked that he leads his life according to the teachings of the Buddha, “healing the sick is my fervent duty, not an opportunity to amass wealth”.

He never aspired to have a luxury house in Colombo 7 or expensive cars but he chose to work for a monthly salary which was equivalent to what he could have made in a day if he went into private practice for a Doctor of this high caliber.

He was a selfless unassuming person and leaves behind his wife and daughter who are also medical doctors.

I hope his daughter will take over the unfinished part of the mission which her great father started.

May a thousand Dr. Sarath Abeykoones proliferate in our troubled land and provide the healing to our nation to lift up the once noble profession from the dismal depths to which it has fallen.

“Great men are they who see spiritual is stronger than the material and noble thoughts and deeds should rule the world” with apologies to Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Dian Jayasuriya