Physician, Anatomy Educator and Researcher, Administrator and Advocate for Social Justice.
Background
Ananda Dasan Perera Jayatilaka was born on June 1, 1930 in Galle, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) to Albert Edward Jayatilaka (a lawyer) and Ceceilia (Sita) Jayatilaka (nee Jayasekera).The younger of two siblings and the only son of a well to do family, he grew up in comfortable circumstances. He completed his primary education at Southlands School and Richmind College in Galle and secondary education at the prestigious Royal College in Colombo. In his youth he played cricket and tennis. In 1952, he was admitted to the University of Ceylon Medical School (Colombo) and graduated with an MBBS (MD) degree in 1957. That same year, he married Nalini Nugagoga who he first met when they were both 12 years old and had maintained a friendship.
Jacko (a nickname earned during his medical school years) or Prof, as he was better known, had a great wit and sense of humour. In his younger years he was a master of practical jokes and the live wire of a party. He was passionately political, an excellent orator and an outspoken advocate for fairness, justice, equity and the wellbeing of all. He was a strong Socialist - committed to redistribution of wealth, land reform, free and universal access to healthcare and education. He fought long and hard to prevent privatization of healthcare in Sri Lanka for which he earned many enemies among his medical colleagues.
Education
Primary School: Southlands School and Richmond College, Galle, Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
Secondary School: Royal College, Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
Undergraduate: University of Ceylon Medical School, Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) - M.B.B.S. 1957
Post Graduate: University of Edinburgh Medical School, Scotland, U.K. - Ph.D. 1964 (Thesis: A Study of Arachnoid Granulation http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.652972)
Career
Employment:
Intern Medical Officer, General Hospital, Galle, 1956-1957
Relieving Medical officer, General Hospital, Galle, 1957
District Medical officer Baddegama, 1957,
Tutor/ Resident obstetrician and Gynecologist, University Ceylon, 1957-1959,
Lecturer in Anatomy, University of Colombo,1959 -1961,
Lecturer Grade I, Anatomy, University of Peradeniya, 1964 -1968,
Professor and head of the Department of Anatomy, 1968 to 1982 (retirement),
Vice Chancellor, University of Peradeniya, 1971,
Dean Faculty of Medical, Dental and Veterinary Sciences, University of Peradeniya, 1973-1975,
Professor and Chairman Department Anatomy, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe, 1982-1984,
Visiting Professor of Anatomy, University of California at Los Angeles, 1971-1972 and University Melbourne, 1980 - 1981.
Examiner Primary Fellowship of Royal College Surgeons of England.
Membership and positions held in professional organizations:
Kandy Society Medicine (secretary 1966-1967),
Ceylon Association for the Advancement of Science,
University Ceylon Teachers Association (honorary treasurer 1967),
Warden Marrs Hall (1969-71) and Jayatilaka Hall (1973) Residences, University of Peradeniya,
Ceylon Medical Council, 1969-1972, 80-82,
Faculty of Medicine Teachers Association (president 1976-1977, 77-78),
Council of Sri Lanka Institute Postgraduate Medicine, 1974-1975.
Board, Ayurvedic Institute, University of Sri. Lanka, 1977-1979;
Consultant/Advisor World Health Organization.
Works
Other Work
Editor: The Buddhist, 1959-1961. Contributor articles to professional journals. Vice president National Council for Youth and Child Welfare, 1968-1969.Executive council Lanka Jathika Sarvodaya Shramadana Sangamaya and president Kandy Council of Elders, 1973-1978. Member committee Prisoners Welfare Association, 1974-1975. Member council Royal College Old Boys' Union, 1957-1976.President Sri Lankda Baudda Peramuna-Kandy District, 1975-1978. Advisory board directors Kandy Archaeol. Museum, 1970-1977. World Health Organization fellow, 1971, 75, 78.
Politics
Socialist, committed to redistribution of wealth, land reform, universal and free access to education and healthcare, equity, justice and fairness, health for all and all for health
Views
He worked towards an equitable world where everyone had the opportunity to reach their full potential. He stood up for the marginalized and the oppressed and spoke up when he witnessed injustices and was not popular for it.
