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In 1969, I returned to Sri Lanka with my fellowship degree as Senior registrar at Queen Mary's Hospital Orthopaedics in London.
My dream was to return and serve my people and I aspired to be atop surgeon. After returning from the UK, I served as Resident Surgeon in the accident service, Colombo, followed by a short period as locum Surgeon in Kandy before I transferred to Badulla Provincial Hospital as General Surgeon in 1970.
In 1971, theJanatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) insurrection began and I attended to the injured patients. This was a difficult period for everyone but especially the medical field as the hospitals were ran short of disposable items. As life became more difficult, I made the decision to leave the country.
In February1975 my wife and I settled in the suburb Jannali, in New South Wales.
The former Mayor of Sutherland Shire, Keith Bates very kindly helped us out as we landed at the Sydney airport. He took us to Jannali and ensured that our settling in process was smooth and comfortable. Mr Bates was pleased with me as I had previously attended to a medical emergency his partner faced, while inSingapore on holiday.
Afterwards, I commenced work at the Sutherland hospital as the surgical registrar to two surgeons.
At that time, we were registered as specialist surgeons with the right to private practice. Sutherland Hospital staff was friendly, and my time there was enjoyable.
A retired Professor of Surgery from the Sydney Hospital in the CBD was assigned to perform the surgery. I was requested to assist this professor and was introduced as the best registrar to assist with the surgery. One piece of advice the professor gave me was to get into private practice. I accepted his advice and got a position in a private practice group in the suburb of Cabramatta.
I did my surgery in Fairfield Heights private Hospital, and everything was smooth. The staff were very cooperative and I attended cosmetic surgery conferences in various parts of the world.
I developed my technique of operative procedure for an operation called 'Abdominoplasty'. This technique was named after me, "Gunatillake technique of abdominoplasty", and I had the opportunity of describing this procedure at many conferences in cities like Paris, Rome, Florida, Los Angeles, Japan, Peru and Bangkok.
During the past 20 years, I have been engaged in writing health articles and publishing a health newsletter and of late, I have been producing YouTube videos on various topics, such as health, Sri Lankan historical events, and the present crisis in Sri Lanka, among others. I have written over 400 health articles that can be viewed on my website and have also contributed articles to Sri Lankan media outlets such as Sunday Leader and Sunday Island.
I have engaged in community activities among the expat Sri Lankan community in Australia, mainly in New, South Wales (NSW). I was the President of the Sri Lankan Association of NSW for two consecutive years-1997 and 1998and the first treasurer of the Sinhalese Cultural Forum.
I am thankful that I ended up in Australia as the healthcare system is excellent. It is a very safe and stable country to live in with a friendly, inclusive culture that is conducive to settle in comfortably
It is an inclusive multicultural society where Aboriginal people are well recognised and honoured as the country's first people.
In May 2022, I received an 'Order of Australia’ Medal for medicine and community services to the Sri Lankan people. I believe this is an excellent example of how foreign people are recognised for their talent and achievements in Australia. The exemplary way in which Australia recognised and rewarded my talent is a testament to Australia’s commitment to diversity and inclusion across all spheres.
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About the author: Dr Harold Gunatillake, Health Editor, is aMember of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore, the Australian Association ofCosmetic Surgery, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (UK), Corresponding Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, member of the International Societies of Cosmetic Surgery, Fellow of the International College of Surgery(US) and the Australian diplomat for the International Society of Plastic,Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgery.
Board Member of the International Society of Aesthetic Surgery. Member of the American Academy of Aesthetic & Restorative Surgery. Life Member of the College of Surgeons, Sri Lanka. Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (Cey).Government scholar for higher studies in the UK.
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