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A great son of Galle-by Ruhunu Puthra Source:Island Dr. P. D. Anthonisz Dr. Pieter Daniel Anthonisz’s father was Leonadus Henricus Anthonisz who was the Chief Clerk of the Galle Customs. His mother was Susanna Dorthea Deutrom. And, Dr. Anthonisz was the eldest of their 10 children, and was born in 1822. At the time, there was no Civil Medical Department, or Medical School, in the island. But there were military hospitals which trained local young men as assistants. Dr. Robert Sillery, in Galle, gave young Anthonisz an opportunity to become a doctor. In 1838 when Anthonisz was only 16 years, Dr. Sillery made him a 3rd class Medical Sub Assistant. One year later, young Anthonisz, along with four others, formed the first batch of medical students, sent to Calcutta, to qualify at the Bengal Medical College. Four years later, they passed out as doctors, with Anthonisz heading the list. ...