Prof Carlo Fonseka

It is my great pleasure to have the opportunity of presenting to the distinguished membership of the Institute of Biology, the inimitable, enchanting, delightful and multitalented Professor Carlo Fonseka, whom the Institute is felicitating today in recognition of his invaluable services rendered to Biology and related fields.

However, I feel rather queer in trying to introduce and cite Professor Carlo Fonseka to this audience of Biologists as every one here knows him only too well to sit and listen to my narration. But custom decrees that someone does it and the duty fell on me, and I accepted it with delight.

The Council of the Institute of Biology unanimously agreed and decided to record its appreciation of the great service Professor Carlo Fonseka has rendered to Biology through Medicine and Physiology. In fact it is difficult to miss the indelible mark Professor Carlo Fonseka has left in the field of Biology, and on behalf of the Institute of Biology I congratulate and acknowledge his services and wish him many more healthy and active years to continue his valuable work.

Prof. Fonseka received his MBBS from the Colombo Medical Faculty with a first class with distinctions in Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pharmacology and Forensic Medicine. He was the recipient of the Sir Andrew Caldecott Gold Medal for the greatest competence at the final examination. The Maneckbai Dadaboy Gold Medal for the greatest competence in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The Perry Exihibition for the greatest competence during a three year period.

He obtained his Ph.D from the University of Edinburgh in 1966 for his work on Growth Hormone and the fuel of Muscular Exercise. He is also a Fellow of the Ceylon College of Physicians. That is not all. He also has a Master of Arts from the University of Keliniya, obtained in 1999. Remember, I referred to Prof. Fonseka as being multifaceted.

In the professional sphere he has been successively a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, and Professor of Physiology in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Colombo. Further, he has been Professor of Physiology at the University of Kelaniya from 1991 to 1998 as well as Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya from 1991 to 1997. During the period of 1988 to 1990,

Professor Fonseka was a Senior Fellow of the World Institute of Economics Research, United Nations University.

Prof. Fonseka has about 40 publications both in national and international journals and has authored a book published by the World Institute of Economic Research, United Nations Research titled “Towards a Peaceful Sri Lanka”.

Time does not permit me to list and deal with all his work, but few will forget the work he did related to fire walking, his lectures and talks on science and philosophy on TV and Radio. His activities have won him great recognition not only amongst Biologists, but among all Sri Lankans. I am confident that all you members will applaud the decision of the Council of the Institute of Biology to felicitate Prof. Fonseka, to appreciate and recognize his work.

May good fortune and good health be with Prof. Fonseka for many, many more years to come.

Fellicitation address made by Prof Jayantha Welihinda,
Professor, Department of Biochemicstry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo the 25th Annual Sessions of the Institute of Biology on 30 September 2005.