The history of medical advancement within the Global Sri Lankan community is replete with figures of immense intellect and dedication, yet few have left a legacy as multifaceted as that of Dr. Velingham Balendra (1899–1965). A man of profound vision, Dr. Balendra was instrumental in the establishment of formal dental education in Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon, and was equally celebrated for his significant contributions to the nation’s archaeological and historical scholarship. His life serves as a quintessential example of how professional excellence and a passion for cultural heritage can converge to benefit a nation across generations.
The Architect of Modern Dentistry in Ceylon
In the early 20th century, the landscape of oral health in Ceylon was vastly different from the modern standards enjoyed today. There was no formal dental school, no structured training for surgeons, and a significant lack of institutional support for dentistry as a distinct medical discipline. Dr. Velingham Balendra emerged as the transformative force that would bridge this gap.
Born on 3 December 1899, into a Tamil family known for its commitment to public service, Velingham Balendra was the son of Velingham and the grandson of the renowned philanthropist Shaf Mu Ple. His academic journey was marked by a series of exceptional achievements. After obtaining the Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery (LMS) of Ceylon, he entered government service in 1925 as a medical officer. However, his ambition to elevate the standards of local medicine led him to Britain, where he secured several of the most prestigious medical qualifications of the British Empire, including the Member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) and the Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians (LRCP).
Recognising the critical, yet often neglected, importance of dental health, Dr. Balendra chose to specialise in a field that was then considered secondary. He returned to Britain to obtain his Licentiate in Dental Surgery (LDS) and subsequently became one of the first Sri Lankans to be awarded the Fellowship in Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FDS RCS Edin), a rare distinction for any practitioner of that era.
Through his persistent advocacy and repeated appeals to the colonial administration, the Dental Institute of Colombo was finally established in 1927. Dr. Balendra was appointed as the first Medical Officer in charge and served as its inaugural Director until 1944. Under his leadership, the institute became the cornerstone of oral health in the country, providing a foundation for all future developments in the field.
Training the First Generation of Specialists
Dr. Balendra’s contribution to education was perhaps his most lasting professional achievement. When a formal dental school was eventually integrated into the Colombo Medical College in 1938, he naturally assumed the role of the first lecturer in operative dental surgery and orthodontia.
In a fascinating turn of history, the first batch of students to qualify under his tutelage were not secondary school graduates, but six fully qualified medical doctors who chose to undergo rigorous retraining under Dr. Balendra’s guidance. These individuals became the first professionally qualified dental surgeons to serve the island, expanding access to care from Jaffna to Batticaloa and across the central regions. This initiative ensured that the standards of the profession were maintained at a high level from its very inception.
Beyond the lecture hall, Dr. Balendra was a prolific researcher. His work was published in internationally esteemed journals, including the British Dental Journal. His studies were comprehensive, covering subjects ranging from the effects of betel chewing on oral tissues to the complexities of oral cancer and mandibular necrosis. Many of his findings remain relevant to modern dental science, showcasing his meticulous approach to clinical research. In 1932, he also became a founding member of the Ceylon Dental Association, further cementing his role as an advocate for professional excellence.
A Passion for Archaeology and Heritage
While his medical achievements were monumental, Dr. Balendra’s intellectual curiosity extended far beyond the operating theatre. He was a dedicated amateur archaeologist and historian who played a vital role in preserving the cultural narrative of the Global Sri Lankan community.
In 1950, when a collection of ancient bronze statues was unearthed near the Koneswaram temple in Trincomalee, Dr. Balendra undertook a profound study of these artifacts. Recognising their immense historical value, he was instrumental in organising an island-wide procession of the bronzes, allowing citizens across the nation to pay homage to their shared heritage.
His quest for historical truth even led him to the archives in Lisbon, Portugal. It was there that he discovered a rare, Portuguese-era map of the Koneswaram temple, drawn before its destruction in 1624. This discovery provided invaluable insights into the pre-colonial architecture and layout of one of the island’s most sacred sites. In 1953, he delivered a landmark lecture on the Trincomalee bronzes to the Royal Asiatic Society of Ceylon, with Governor-General Lord Soulbury presiding as chairman. This lecture was later published and remains a foundational text for historians of Sri Lankan art and sculpture.
Life at Lincoln House and a Cultural Legacy
The personal life of Dr. Balendra was as distinguished as his professional one. He was married to Mano Mani, the daughter of Mur Kandaya of Jaffna, and together they lived at Lincoln House, located at 67 Ward Place, Cinnamon Gardens. At the time, Ward Place was affectionately known as “Ceylon’s Harley Street” due to the high concentration of eminent medical professionals residing there.
Dr. Balendra and Mano Mani raised four daughters, each of whom became a prominent cultural figure. Among them was the late Mrs. Nilamiki Satya, a celebrated Bharatanatyam exponent in Singapore and recipient of the Kala Ratna Award, and Anun Shamik Ayaru, a distinguished dance teacher in Zambia. This legacy of cultural excellence reflects the values of service and artistic appreciation that Dr. Balendra championed throughout his life.
As we look back at the life of Dr. Velingham Balendra, we see a man who was not only a pioneer of science but a guardian of history. His work at the Dental Institute of Colombo and his scholarly pursuits in archaeology serve as a reminder of the profound impact one individual can have on a nation’s development.
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Source: https://youtu.be/LiJTgwBbrl8
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