Condolence Speech read by Prof. Vajira Weerasinghe, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya

Madam Varagunam & Family members of late Prof. T. Varagunam

Dear Friends

Let me express my deepest sorrow and condolences on behalf of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya where Prof. Varagunam spent his academic days as one of the most respected and popular teachers of the golden years of the Peradeniya Medical Faculty in the 1960s and 1970s. He has been instrumental in developing the Department of Medicine and has contributed significantly to the upliftment of the Faculty in the early days of the Faculty. He pioneered the first ever national Medical Education Unit at Peradeniya which has given a major impetus for the curriculum reforms and the highest standards achieved by the Faculty at present. He also pioneered establishing the Eastern Medical Faculty and had the “unique distinction” of being the President of the Kandy Society of Medicine twice.

Having been a clinician for 60 years, “with first-hand knowledge” not only in Sri Lanka but also elsewhere, his “uniqueness” as spelt out as never losing his passion to learn and then impart that knowledge to his students in particular his firmness in upholding the evidence-based medicine and evidence based practice and inculcating research culture in the minds of all of us.

It is a great loss for the medical profession of the country and worldwide.  

Let us all remember forever this dear and great friend and gentleman.