Commencement lecture 2024, for the 33rd batch of medical students was held on the 1st of March 2024 at the Anatomy auditorium. It was delivered by Dr. Shantha Indralal Dewage (MBBS, MD, MCCP, MRACP) a distinguished alum of the 3rd batch of medical students of Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He was welcomed and ushered into the hall by a ceremonial procession graced by the dean and the Heads of departments, following which, the 33rd batch of students took their oath as medical students.
Prof. Manori Gamage, Dean of the faculty introduced the speaker to the audience.
Dr Indralal initiated his speech by placing his gratitude for the invitation and welcoming the new batch of students to the faculty. While congratulating their success in getting selected for the MBBS degree programme, he emphasized on the importance of realizing that they are ‘reading for a degree’ rather than ‘studying’.
He spoke of his humble beginnings at Ayagama, Ratnapura and his time at the SOS Village, Piliyandala as a scholar following his G.C.E. O.L. examination results, which has enabled him to enter the FMS, USJ. He mentioned that the time in the university was the best time of his life. Following his graduation and postgraduate training, Dr. Indralal has served as a consultant physician at several peripheral hospitals in Sri Lanka before moving to Tasmania, Australia. He is employed as a prestigious stroke physician, consultant general and a senior lecturer, at present.
Dr Indralal explained that it is extremely important for medical professionals to learn the art of medicine since it is a known fact that” once a medical student is always a medical student”. Earning the respect should be practiced rather than seeking respect, is what a good doctor should practice. Passion, purpose, resilience, adaptability, determination, continuous education, empathy and targeting the highest were stated as the qualities a good doctor should try to achieve. He advised that it is essential to know the best to do the best; and to “live like you die tomorrow but to learn like you live forever”!
His speech was met with loud cheers and heartiest congratulations and a token of appreciation was presented to him by the Dean, FMS. The proceedings of the commencement lecture came to an end with the vote of thanks proposed by Prof. Sugandhika Suresh. Coordinator of the Orientation programme.
