Overview & History
The Ceylon College of Physicians is a Non-Profit Oriented academic body established for the purpose of enhancing the knowledge of Medicine, promoting postgraduate education in Medicine, and ensuring that the highest quality of medical care is delivered to the patients by educating future physicians of the country. At present, the CCP consists of more than Seven Hundred members who have come together to encourage continuing professional development (CPD), a high degree of standards in clinical practice, and lobbying for good governance. We are leaders in the field of CPD and have a biannual journal and a newsletter for our membership. CCP is currently recognized as an International Centre for MRCP (UK) Part 1, Part 2 and PACES Examinations.
The Ceylon College of Physicians came into being after an informal meeting of eleven Physicians on the 25th of July 1967 in the Consultants’ Lounge of the General Hospital Colombo (now the National Hospital of Sri Lanka) and has since then remained true to the inspired vision of its founders: to promote the dissemination of up-to-date medical knowledge, promote research and thereby foster postgraduate education in medicine. The 1967 get-together included Professor K. Rajasuriya, Dr. O.R Medonza, Dr. E. Mirando, Dr. W.D.L Fernando, Dr. W. Wijenaike, and Dr. N.D.W. Lionel. The Inaugural Meeting of the College held on the 26th of September 1967 at the Clinical Lecture theatre of the General Hospital, Colombo, considered and adopted the draft constitution presented by the Chairman. All those present at that meeting, as well as those applying for membership within a month, qualified to be founder members of the College.
Dr. E.M. Wijerama held the office of President of the College for three consecutive years. The official College Emblem, approved during his tenure of office, consisted of a circle of petals of the Nelum flower enclosing the medicinal pot in which are displayed the traditional oil lamp (representing spread of knowledge) and of course, the healer’s snake-and-staff, the international symbols of the profession. The name of the College appears above the pot, while the motto in Sanskrit, “Arogyam Shanthi Sukham”- meaning Cure Relief and Comfort appears below it. The emblem was designed by Prof. N. Kodagoda. The College colours – maroon, black and silver – are displayed on the Banner of the College designed by Dr Lakshman Ranasinghe. The College was incorporated by statute in its very first year of existence, the Bill being presented to Parliament by Dr Lenora and ratified by the Senate in 1971, thus making history by becoming the first College in the country to be so incorporated. Dr Satkurunathan, elected the first Treasurer of the College, worked indefatigably to obtain “approved charity” status and establish a Board of Trustees. A College Trust was set up to finance approved research projects. The promotion of research has remained an important function of the College. Several grants have been made for approved research projects. The College awards prizes for outstanding papers presented at its annual Scientific Sessions and at the Young Physicians’ Forum.
Dr E.M. Wijerama delivered the first foundation lecture on the 19th of February 1968, his subject being “Physicians, ancient and modern”. The lecture was followed by dinner at the Hotel Samudra, where covers were laid for 119 members & guests. The cost of the dinner was an unbelievable Rs.l5/-per person. In keeping with the objectives of the College the Council decided to organize scientific meetings, they being restricted to the presentation of original research papers by members, and to lectures by visiting professors.
- Dr. K. Dharmadasa – The ECG in healthy young Ceylonese
- Dr. I. S. M. Fernando – The role of the physician in road safety
- Dr. D. R. Laurence – Topics in cardiovascular pharmacology
Dr. E.M. Wijerama held the office of President of the College for three consecutive years. The official College Emblem, approved during his tenure of office, consisted of a circle of petals of the Nelum flower enclosing the medicinal pot in which are displayed the traditional oil lamp (representing spread of knowledge) and of course, the healer’s snake-and-staff, the international symbols of the profession. The name of the College appears above the pot, while the motto in Sanskrit, “Arogyam Shanthi Sukham”- meaning Cure Relief and Comfort appears below it. The emblem was designed by Prof. N. Kodagoda. The College colours – maroon, black and silver – are displayed on the Banner of the College designed by Dr Lakshman Ranasinghe. The College was incorporated by statute in its very first year of existence, the Bill being presented to Parliament by Dr Lenora and ratified by the Senate in 1971, thus making history by becoming the first College in the country to be so incorporated. Dr Satkurunathan, elected the first Treasurer of the College, worked indefatigably to obtain “approved charity” status and establish a Board of Trustees. A College Trust was set up to finance approved research projects. The promotion of research has remained an important function of the College. Several grants have been made for approved research projects. The College awards prizes for outstanding papers presented at its annual Scientific Sessions and at the Young Physicians’ Forum.