Origin & Proceedings of the Medico-Legal Society of Ceylon 1937-2017
by Dr. M. S. L. Salgado

The Origin & Proceedings of The Medico-Legal Society were prepared in connection with the 80th Anniversary of the Society.

The first phase for the period 1937 to 1940 was prepared before the Anniversary & it is available here :

https://medicolegal.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31&Itemid=238

Thereafter Dr. Salgado prepared a Summary of the Proceedings up to 2017, based on available records & finalized it before he passed away. The final document was sent via email to the Medico-Legal Society, after his death. The proceedings of the Medico -Legal Society for the period 1937 to 2017 are included here as a mark of respect for him. He spent long hours over several months to complete it.

Overview

The history of the Medico Legal Society has been compiled from the minutes of meetings, which have been carefully preserved since its inception in 1937.

During this period, 25 persons have held office as Presidents of the Society and the highlights of activities undertaken during the tenure of each President have been culled from the minutes of meetings held and have been incorporated herein.

Among those who held the position of President are 05 Chief Justices of the Supreme Court, 03 Judges of the Supreme Court, 04 Queen's/President’s Counsel, 02 Professors of Surgery/Forensic Medicine, 03 retired/in office Consultant JMOs, a Government Analyst, an Examiner of Questioned Documents, a Solicitor General, and senior Police Officers.

Several eminent legal and medical personalities were associated with the Society either as ordinary members or members of its Council.

During the period of its existence since 1937, the Society has contributed in many ways to the advancement of Forensic Medicine in Sri Lanka, by :

• conducting symposia and lectures on relevant topics

• conducting training programmes for its members on relevant topics

• participating in international conferences

• holding international conferences in Colombo

• contributing to law reform in the field of Forensic Medicine

• holding Scientific Sessions annually

• holding the Dr. W.D.L. Fernando Oration and the Medico-Legal Society Oration annually

• holding lectures by eminent foreign experts in Forensic Medicine

• establishing and serving on a Board of Study in Forensic Medicine at the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine

Past Presidents of the Medico-Legal Society

No	Period	Name	Designation
1	09.12.1937 – 01.12.1939	Sir Sydney Abrahams	Chief Justice
2	26.02.1940 – 01.11.1940	Hon. J.C. Howard	Chief Justice
3	08.02.1966 – 20.01.1969	Hon. M. C. Sansoni	Chief Justice
4	20.01.1969 – 26.02.1971	Prof. Milroy Paul	Emeritus Professor of Surgery
5	26.02.1971 - 09.06.1973	Hon. V. Sivasupramaniam	Judge of the Supreme Court
6	09.06.1973 – 28.04.1975	Dr. W. D. L. Fernando	Retd. Chief Consultant J.M.O. Col.
7	28.04.1975 – 22.09.1978	Mr. A.H.C. de Silva	Queen’s Counsel
8	22.09.1978 – 31.07.1981	Prof. H.V.J.Fernando	Professor of Forensic Medicine
9	31.07.1981 – 23.03. 1984	Mr. Vernon Wijetunge	Queen’s Counsel
10	23.03.1984 – 19.06.1987	Dr. M. S. L. Salgado	Chief Consultant J.M.O. Colombo
11	19.06.1987 – 25.01.1988	Mr. Daya Perera	President’s Counsel
12	25.01.1988 – 15.06.1990	Hon. P. Ramanathan	Judge of the Supreme Court
13	15.06.1990 – 31.07.1992	Mr. A.R.L. Wijesekera	Government Analyst
14	31.07.1992 – 29.10.1993	Mr. Mervyn St. S. Casie Chetty	Attorney at Law
15	29.10.1993 – 29.03.1996	Mr. Kosala Wijayatilake	President’s Counsel
16	29.03.1996 – 07.11.1997	Mr. J.D.M. Ariyasinghe	Senior Deputy Insp. Gen. of Police
17	07.11.1997 – 02.03.2001	Mr. P.H.Manatunge	Examiner of Questioned Documents
18	02.03.2001 – 25.07.2003	Hon. Sarath N. Silva	Chief Justice
19	25.07.2003 – 29.07.2005	Dr. Lakshman Weerasena	General Medical Practitioner
20	29.07.2005 – 30.11.2007	Mr. Chandra Fernando	Inspector General of Police
21	30.11.2007 – 18.12.2009	Mr. Palitha Fernando P.C.	Solicitor General
22	18.12.2009 – 20.01.2012	Dr. Ananda Samarasekera	Chief Consultant J.M.O.Colombo
23	20.01.2012 – 25.04. 2014	Hon. Shiranee Tilakawardena	Judge of the Supreme Court
24	25.04.2014 – 27.05.2016	Mr. S.B.W. de Silva	Retd. Senior Supdt. of Police
25	27.05.2016 – 2018	Hon. Priyasath Dep	Chief Justice

History of the Medico-Legal Society
Founded in 1937

Inauguration of the Society - 09.12.1937

The Medico-Legal Society of Ceylon was inaugurated on Thursday, 9 December 1937 at the Colombo Law Library.

In his inaugural address, the Chief Justice, Sir Sidney Abrahams expressed his own personal gratification upon the formation of the Society, which was the result of a suggestion that he made at the Fiftieth Anniversary Dinner of the Ceylon Branch of the British Medical Association.

He paid a tribute to the intellectual. and academic qualities that members of both the professions possessed. He said that the fact that this Society was formed thirty six years after such a Society was formed in England was not a matter for reproach, when it was remembered that it had taken England many hundred years to form one themselves.

He stressed the great advantage that this Society would have, not only in discussions of subjects of medical jurisprudence, but also in the better training of the professions in each other’s science. It was eminently desirable, he said, that medical men should know how to give evidence and it was equally necessary that counsel should have to ask questions precisely and to the point. He referred to a few instances such as questions of insanity, questions of the position of wounds, questions of handwriting and finger prints.

He regretted that in a country as advanced as Ceylon proper scientific apparatus such as to distinguish mammalian blood from human blood were not available to the analyst, though in Colonies such as Uganda, they had them long ago. The Medico Legal Society would be interested in securing proper homes for those ordinarily insane different from the insane who were convicted of crimes.

Sir Sidney’s address was received with applause.

Thereafter the formation of the Society was proposed by Mr. J. W.R. Illangakoon, K.C the Attorney General and seconded by Dr. S.T. Gunasekera, Director of Medical and Sanitary Services. Dr. L.A. Rajapakse LL.D acted as Secretary protem, and Sir Sydney presided.

Mr. C.V Ranawake proposed that Sub Committee be elected to draft the Constitution and the Rules of the Society. This was seconded by Mr. H.V. Perera K.C. The following were appointed to the Sub Committee: Messrs. J.W.R. Illangakoon K.C., Lawrie Muthkrishna, Dr. J.R. Blaze, Dr. N. Sinnadurai, and Mr. L.A. Rajapakse.

Mr. H. Sri Nissanka proposed and Mr. C. S. B. Kumarakulasinghe seconded that the draft Constitution and Rules be circularised so that members may consider them before the next meeting

Mr. J.R. Blaze thanked the Chairman for giving a good start and beginning under an excellent augury for the future.

The names of the members present at the Inaugural Meeting, in addition to those already mentioned above, were as follows:

Justice A.E. Keuneman K.C	Mr.H.A.P. Sandarasegera K.C	Mr. E.G.P. Jayatilleke K.C	Mr. G. Crosette Thambiah
Mr. J.A. Maartensz	Dr. J.H.F. Jayasuriya	Dr. Milroy Paul	Dr. P.B. Fernando
Dr. E.M. Wijerama	Mrs. (Dr.) May Ratnaike	Mrs. (Dr) B.H. Aluwiahre	Mrs. (Dr.) Dora Fonseka
Dr. H.M. Peiris	Dr. W.S. Ratnawale	Dr. S.F. Wickremasinghe	Mr. C. Nagalingam
Mr. Aelian Pereira	Mr. J.R. Jayawardena	Mr. C.P.T. de Jong	Mr. E.B. Wickremanayke
Mr. U.A.Jayasundara	Mr. J.E.M. Obeysekera	Dr. T.P. Thamotheram	Dr. C.C. de Silva
Mr. F.R. Amarasekera	Mr. Stanley de Zoysa	Mr. E.R. de Silva	Dr. S.L. Cramer
Dr. L.O. Weinman	Dr. Walter Fernando	Dr. S. Thiagarajah	Mr. S.J.C. Kadirgamar
Mr. C.E. Jayawardena	Mr. N.H. Samarasinghe	Mr. N de Alwis	Mr. A. Sambandan
Mr. D. Jansze	Mr. J.G. de S. Wijeyaratne	Mr. A. Muttukumaroe	Mr. T.S. Fernando
Mr. D.L.S.P. Abeysekera	Mr. K.S. Aiyar	Mr. S. Somasuntharam	Mr. V.C.C. Devapuraratne
Mr. Nihal Gunasekera	Mr. R.R. Crosette Thambiah	Mr. E.G. Jonklaas	Mr. Arthur Abeyratne
Mr. Clifford Pereira	Mr. C.X. Martyn	Mr. W.R. Chanmugam	Mr. M.M.I. Kariapper
Mr. R.St. L.P. Deraniyagala	Mr. C.A.B. Wanigasooria	Mr. H.H. Basnayake	Mr. T.K. Curtis
Dr. C.D. Dharmasena	Mr. W.H.W. Perera	Dr. R. Nitchingham	Dr. L.O. Abeyratne
Dr. Hugh Gunawardena	Mr. J.M. Goonetilleke	Mr. Manikkawasagar	Mr. Kingsley Herath
Mr. M.M. Kumarakulasingham	Mr. M. Oliver Fernando

09.12.1937 – 30.11.1939 – Hon. Sir Sidney Abrahams K.C., Chief Justice

Sir Sidney Abrahams was the 28^th Chief Justice of Ceylon. He held this office from 3 July, 1936 to 30 November, 1939. He was formally elected President of the Medico-Legal Society on 24.02.1938, but it was he who presided at the inauguration of the Society on 09 December, 1937 and the Society was established on his initiative. By then, he was well known on account of the judgement he and two other judges delivered in the case which became famous as the “Bracegirdle Case”’, where an order given by the Governor to deport a Marxist-oriented planter was challenged before the Supreme Court, and the judges ruled against the order and set him free. H.V. Perera K.C. argued the case on behalf of Bracegirdle.

First General Meeting – 24.02.1938

The inaugural meeting was followed by the first general meeting held on Thursday, 24 February 1938 in the Law Library, Hulftsdorp, presided over by Sir Sidney Abrahams, who was elected its first President.

A large number of members were present.

It was decided to name the Society as the Medico-Legal Society of Ceylon.

The draft Constitution prepared by the Sub-Committee, which was made available prior to this meeting was discussed. It was modelled on the lines of Medico-Legal Society of England.

The proposed rules were taken up one by one, and after alteration or amendment , the rules were approved and adopted.

The objects of the Society were decided as follows:

1. the recognition of medicine and other allied sciences, in the administration of justice

2. the promotion and dissemination of medico-legal knowledge in all its aspects

3. the holding of meetings, seminars and symposia at which papers may be read and discussed for the furtherance of the aforesaid objects of the society

4. the enrolment of qualified members of the Legal and Medical professions, and such other persons who may be interested in medico-legal work .

The Society also decided that :

• its affairs shall be managed by a Council consisting of Honorary Officers and six other members of the Society.

• the quorum be fixed at 5 members.

• 2 members of the Council who are not Honorary Officers shall retire annually by seniority

• No retiring member shall be eligible for re-election until one year has lapsed from the date of retirement.

• The President, Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Secretaries and the Editor of Transactions shall be elected annually.

• The tenure of the Office of President shall be for no more than 2 consecutive years.

• Casual vacancies shall be filled up by the Council only for the balance period of the retiring member.

• The Accounts of the Society shall be certified by an Auditor who shall be elected each year at the Annual General Meeting.

• The Council shall submit to each Annual General Meeting nominations for each of the office bearers and Council.

• It shall be competent for any two members to nominate any member of the Society to the Council or to any office, provided such nomination is sent in writing to one of the Secretaries not less than four weeks before the Annual General Meeting.

• All nominations whether by the Council or by individual members of the Society shall be printed or typed on the Notice calling for the Annual General Meeting.

• Annual General Meeting of the Members of the Society shall be held in February each year not later than the last date thereof at which the report of the meetings together with a Statement of Accounts duly made shall be presented and Officers of the Society and Members of the Council shall be elected.

• Notice of such meetings and of the business to be transacted there shall be given to members at least fourteen days before such meetings.

• When requested by twelve members or by the Council, the Secretaries shall convene a Special General Meeting of which not less than fourteen days notice shall be given and such notice shall specify the purpose of such meeting and no business other than specified in that notice shall be transacted at such meeting.

• No rule shall be made, altered or rescinded except by the Society at a General Meeting.

• Subscriptions – The Annual Subscription shall be Rs. 10/= payable on election and on each succeeding first of January.

• Membership of any member, whose subscription is two years in arrears be terminated automatically, but any such member who shall pay his arrears may be reinstated by the Council

The meeting next proceeded to the election of Office Bearers. The first office bearers of the Society were:

President

Sir. Sydney Abrahams, Chief Justice of Ceylon

Vice Presidents Mr. J. W. R. Illangakoon, K.C. Attorney General

Dr. S.T. Gunasekera, Director of Medical & Sanitary Services

Treasurer Prof. Milroy Paul, F.R.C.S. (Eng). M.S. (Lond)

Secretaries Dr. E.M. Wijerama, M.D. (Lond), M.R.C.P. (Lond)

Editor of Transactions

Dr. J. R. Blaze, M.D. (Lond), M.R.C.P. (Lond)

Council Members

Dr. A.O. Gunawardena M.B.B.S.

Mr. C.V.Ranawaka, B.A. (Lond), Advocate

Dr. W.S.Ratnavale, M.R.C.S. L.R.C.P.

Dr. N. Attygalle, F.R.C.S.

Mr. H.Sri Nissanka, Bar-at-Law

Mr. L. Muthukrishna, Handwriting Expert

First Council Meeting – 10.06.1938

The first Council met at the Official Residence of the Hon. Chief Justice on 10 June 1938 with Sir Sidney Abrahams in the chair. 8 members were present.

It was decided that the Society should meet every quarter or the last Friday of the months of February, May and November at 6.30 p.m. alternatively in the Law Library and the Colonial Medical Library (Borella – Maradana Rd) and that the Annual General Meeting should be held in February.

It was also agreed that there should be an Annual Dinner in the month of February or March ; the Honorary Secretaries were requested to make arrangements with the following gentlemen to give lectures: Drs. S.C.Paul (Senior Surgeon) , N. Sinnadurai (JMO), C.O. Perera (Supdt. Mental Hospital), S. Ratnavel (Pathologist) R.F. Dias (District Judge), and Mr. C.V. Collins.

The meeting ended with a Vote of Thanks to the Chair.

Second General Meeting – 26.08.1938

The Second General Meeting was held on 26 August 1938 at the Colonial Medical Library which is presently part of the Anatomy Dept. of the University. Sir Sidney Abrahams presided.

After confirmation of the meeting of the General Meeting on 24 February 1938, the applications of new members were accepted and duly elected as members.

The chief item in the Agenda was a lecture by Dr. N. Sinnadurai M.D. Lond., the Judicial Medical Officer of Ceylon. Sir Sidney, introducing the lecturer, said it was a matter of gratification that an expert in Medico-Legal Science had consented to read the first paper to the Society.

Dr. Sinnadurai then proceeded to read his paper on “The Evolution of Medico-Legal Science”. The following members thereafter offered comments on the subject: Sir Sidney Abrahams, Mr. R.L. Batholomeusz, Dr. Sextus Wickremasinghe, Dr. P.B. Fernando, Dr. N. Attygalle, Mr. H.H. Basnayake, Dr. H.M. Peiris, Dr. J. R. Blaze, Dr. R.W. Willenberg, Mr. Stanley de Soyza, Mr. C.E.A. Edwards. Dr. Sinnadurai

The Vote of Thanks to the Chair was given by Dr. H.O. Gunawardena

The meeting terminated thereafter. 25 other members were present.

Third General Meeting – 25.11.1938

The third General Meeting of the Society was held on Friday, 25 November, 1938 at the Law Library, Colombo. In the absence of the President, Dr. S.T. Gunasekera, Vice President occupied the chair. The minutes of the General Meeting of 26 August 1938 were read and confirmed. Mr. Mckenzie Perera was elected as a new member.

The chief item on the Agenda was a lecture by Dr. R.F. Dias M.A., LL.D. (Cantab), District Judge Colombo on “Some Mutual Problems” . A large number of members attended the meeting.

Second Council Meeting – 14.12.1938

The Second Council Meeting was held in the Chambers of the AG on 14 December 1938 with Mr. J.W.R. Illangakoon, Vice President in the Chair. Six Council members were present.

Regarding the first Annual Dinner of the Society, the Council unanimously decided to invite H.E. the Governor, Lady Caldecott and Miss Caldecott as Chief Guests.

It was also decided that representatives of the Ceylon Daily News , the Times and Observer be invited as guests of the Society. The Secretaries were requested to make arrangements at the Galle Face Hotel or the GOH.

A letter from Mr. Sri Nissanka to read a paper on “The Strange Case of Apooruwa “ was read and it was decided to write to Mr. Nissanka to kindly inform the Council the medico-legal bearings of this case.

The Hony. Secretaries were empowered to engage the services of a typist for the meeting at the rate of Rs. 5 /= per meeting.

Third Council Meeting – 06.02.1939

The Third Council Meeting was held in the Chief Justice’s Bungalow at 6.45 p.m. on Monday 06 February 1939 with the Chief Justice in the Chair.

With regard to the first Annual Dinner of the Society it was decided to hold it at Galle Face Hotel. It was further decided that the H.E. Governor, Sir Andrew Caldecott be invited to propose the toast of the Society to which the President, Sir Sidney Abrahams was to reply. Mr. J.W.R. Illangakoon was to propose the toast of the Medical Profession and Dr. J.R. Blaze , the toast of the Legal Profession, and Dr. H.O. Gunawardena, the toast of the President.

The Council then decided on the names of the Office Bearers and Council members for the ensuing year. It was also decided that Dr. Wignaraja be nominated as Auditor.

Annual General Meeting – 1938/39 – 24.02.1939

The first Annual General Meeting was held at the Ceylon Medical Library on 24 February, 1939.

20 members were present. At this meeting Sir Sydney Abrahams was re-elected President.

The Annual Report was presented by the Joint Secretaries, Dr. E.M. Wijerama, M.D. (Lond) and Dr. L.A. Rajapakse (LL.D) and was adopted .

Dr. S.C. Paul (M.D. F.R.C.S) addressed the gathering on “The Medical Witness and the Court of Law”.

Annual Dinner – 25.02.193

The Dinner was held on 25 February 1939. The function was “marked by great liveliness and fellowship”. It was hoped that this would be an annual feature. H.E. the Governor, Sir Andrew Caldecott and Lady Caldecott graced the occasion.

Second General Meeting- 26.05.193

The Second General Meeting was held in the Colombo Law Library on 26 May 1939. In the absence of the President, Dr. S. T. Gunasekera, Director of Medical and Sanitary Services presided. 14 members were present. At this meeting a paper on “The Expert Witness” was read by Mr. J.E.M. Obeysekera, Advocate. A discussion followed in which Dr. C.O. Perera, Dr. H.M. Peiris, Mr. L.A. Rajapakse, Mr. R.F. Dias and Mr. C.V. Collins and the Dr. Gunasekera took part. Mr. Obeysekera briefly replied to the points raised.

Council Meeting – 25.08.1939

A Council Meeting was held on 25 August1939 at the Colombo Medical Library. The accounts of the first Annual Dinner presented by the Hony. Secretaries was accepted.

The Council also empowered the Hony. Secretaries to engage the services of a shorthand typist at a reasonable rate to report the proceedings of meetings.

Third General Meeting – 25.08.1939

The Council Meeting was followed by the Third General Meeting which was also held on 25 August 1939 at the Colombo Medical Library. 13 members were present. Mr. J.W.R. Illangakoon presided at the meeting.The main item on the Agenda was a paper on “Medico-Legal and Criminological Aspects of Alcoholism” by Dr. C.O. Perera, Superintendent of the Mental Hospital, Angoda.Drs. S.F. Wickremasinghe, J.R.Blaze, and Justice Soertz took part in the discussion.

Fourth General Meeting – 01.12.1939

The fourth General Meeting was held on 1 December 1939 at the Colombo Law Library. 18 members were present . Dr. S.T.Gunasekera presided.

The main item on the Agenda was a paper on “Workman’s Compensation” by Mr. S.J.C. Shockman.

Council Meeting – 11.01.1940

A Council Meeting was held on 11 January 1940in the Chamber of the Hon. Legal Secretary. At this meeting it was decided to refer the holding of the Annual Dinner for the consideration of the Annual General Meeting, owing to the international situation that then prevailed.

26.02.1940 - 01.11.1940 – Hon. J.C. Howard K.C., Chief Justice

Hon. J.C. Howard was the 27^th Chief Justice of Ceylon and held the post from 1 December, 1939 to 14 January 1949. He was knighted in 1942, whilst serving as Chief Justice. It was Sir John Howard who administered the Oath of Office, to the first Governor General of the Dominion of Ceylon, Sir Henry Monk Mason Moore on 4 February, 1948.

Annual General Meeting 1939/40 – 26.02.1940

The Annual General Meeting for the year 1939/40 was held on 26 February 1940 at the Colonial Medical Library. Dr. S.T.Gunasekera presided. 19 members were present. At this meeting, Mr. J. C. Howard, then Chief Justice was elected President for the period 1940/41.

The Annual Report and the Statement of Accounts were adopted. It was proposed that 2 Co-editors should be elected instead of an Editor of Transactions and this was carried unanimously.

The last item on the Agenda was a paper on “Some Problems of Handwriting Evidence” by Mr. Lawrie Muthukrishna”. Dr. R.F. Dias, Mr. C.V. Ranawake, Dr. L.A. Rajapakse , Dr. Blaze and Dr. Gunasekera took part in the discussion and paid high tribute to the brilliance of the learned lecturer.

First General Meeting – 31.05.1940

The first General Meeting for the year 1940 was held on 31 May, 1940 at the Colombo Law Library with Hon. J.C. Howard , President in the Chair. 11 members were present.

A discussion was held in regard to the holding of an Annual Dinner or a Garden Party but it was abandoned in view of the war situation. (Second World War commenced on 3/9/39).

The main item on the Agenda was a paper on the case of “King vs Ruxton” by Dr. R.F. Dias. A number of members present participated in the discussion.

The Second General Meeting – 01.11.1940

The Second General Meeting was held on 1 November, 1940 at the Colonial Medical Library 21 members were present. Dr. S.T. Gunasekera presided.

The main item on the Agenda was a paper on “Sir Bernard Spilsbury in the Witness Box” by Mr. R.R. Crosette Thambiah. Comments on the paper were made by Dr. Sinnadurai and Dr. Gunasekera.

The activities of the Society came to a halt at this stage – 1 November, 1940.

Re-inauguration of the Society – 08.02.1966

Re-inaugural Meeting – 08.02.196

Mainly due to the efforts of Professor Milroy Paul , who was the Hony. Treasurer, at the time activities ceased in 1940, an advertisement was placed in the Ceylon Daily News notifying medical practitioners, lawyers and those involved in the investigation of crime that a re-inaugural meeting of the Medico-Legal Society of Ceylon will be held at the Faculty of Medicine, Kynsey Rd. Colombo 8 on 8 February 1966 at 5.00 p.m.

The Notice carried the information that the Hon. Chief Justice, Mr. M.C. Sansoni, will preside and that a Symposium on “Blood in Medico-Legal Cases” will be presented. The Daily News also carried a news item about this event.

At the re-inaugural meeting on 8 February, 1966, 99 prospective members signed an Attendance Sheet indicating their desire to join the Society and their signatures appear in the Minutes Book.

They were as follows:

Mr. H.L. de Silva	Mr. V.S.A. Pullenayagam	Mr. A. Mahendrarajah	Mr. L.B.T. Premaratne
Mr. P.N. Wickremanayake	J.L.M. Perera	Mr. I. S. de Silva	J. Lalith Rodrigo
Mr. G.F. Sethukavaler	Mr. A. Amarasinghe	Mr. M.H. de Zoysa	Mr. P. Thuraiappah
Mr. P. Vinegananthan	Mr. B.A.R. Candappa	Mr. H.B. Perera	Mr. B.C.F. Jayaratne
Mr. M. Kanagasundaram	Mr. E.R de Fonseka	Mr. Kenneth Seneviratne	Mr. M. St. S. Casie Chetty
Mr. A.G. de Silva	Mr. Niranjan Sinnethamby	Mr. N. Kumarasigham	Mr. M. Thambyah
Mr. J.A.D. de Silva	Mr. Ben Eliyathamby	Mr. N. Jayatunge	Mr. ? Paul
Mr. A. Somasundaram	Mr. A. Viswalingam?	Mr. W. P. Gunatilleke	Mr. S. Thamby………?
Mr. Titus P.J. Fernando	Prof. H.V.J Fernando	Mr. G.A.C. Sirimanne	Mr. H..D. J. Martinus
Mr. S.B.W. de Silva	Dr. S. Sivaloganathan	Mr. Ivor Perera	Mr. P. Naguleswaran
Mr. R. Nadarajah	Mr. J.G. Hattotuwa	Mr. A.P. Sandrasagara	Dr. B.G.C. Fernandopulle
Dr. J.B.Peiris	Mr. R.A. ………?	Mr. Sunil de Silva	Dr. M. de S Jayasinghe
Mr. K.N. Wimalaratne	Mr. V.A.D. Weerasinha	Mr. M. Kanakaratnam	Mr. T.W. Rajaratnam
Dr. K. Thiagalingam	Dr. C.H.S. Jayawardena	Dr. N. Kodagoda	Mr. P. E. Gunawardena
Dr. W.D.L. Fernando	Justice M.C. Sansoni	Prof. Milroy Paul	Mr. S. Saravanamuttu
Dr. C. Amarasekera	Mr. H. Ranasinghe	Mr. G.C. Wanigasekera	Mr. S. J. Duraisamy
Mr. A.R.L. Wijesekera`	Mr. A. Sambandan	Mr. N. Balasuriya	Mr. G. Candappa
Mr. S.D. Ratnasiri	Mr. M.S.M. Refai	Mr. T. Goonatilleke	Dr. M.S.L. Salgado
Mr. A.M. Seneviratne	Mr. V. K. Selvarajah	Mr. V.C. Gunatilleke	Mr. K. Vaikunthavsan
Mr. Vernon Wijetunge	Mr. G.G. Ponnambalam	Mr. Siri Perera	Dr. E.M. Wijerama
Dr. O.E.R. Abhayaratna	Dr. Wakeley Paul	Mr. M. Jeyaratnam	Mr. ?
Mr. W.H. Perera	Mr. R.R Thangarajah	Mr. C.V. Wigneswaran	Mr. T. Sri Ramanathan
Mr. Elliott Gunasekera	Mr. M. Sivasithamparam	Mr. H.V. Perera	Mr. F.C. Pinto
Mr. Vincent Thamotheram	Mr. V. Sivalingam	Mr. M. Underwood	Mr. A.H.C. de Silva
Mr. E.B. Wickremanayake	Mr. V. Tennakoon	Mr. ?

At the meeting Prof. H.V.J. Fernando proposed that a special meeting of the Society be summoned to (a) receive applications for membership (b) enrol those eligible (c) elect and Executive Committee consisting of President, 2 Vice-Presidents, Hony. Secretary, Hony. Treasurer and 4 Committee Members (d) authorize the Executive Committee to draft a Constitution for the Society (e) appoint an Auditor. Mr. G.A.C. Sirimanne, Govt. Analyst seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.

The Symposium on Blood was presented by the following whose time was limited to 5 minutes each:

Topic	Resource Person
Blood in Medico-Legal Work	Dr. W.D.L. Fernando
Blood Tests for Paternity	Prof. H.V.J. Fernando
The Medico-Legal Aspects of Blood Transfusion	Dr. Percy Gunawardena
Is it Blood? Whose Blood is it?	Mr. G.A.C. Sirimanne
The Surgeon’s View Point in Medico-Legal Cases	Prof. Milroy Paul

08.02.1966 – 20.01.1969 - Hon. M.C. Sansoni, Chief Justice

Justice Sansoni was the 32^nd Chief Justice of Ceylon and held office from 3 August, 1964 to 17 November, 1966. He was elected the President of the Medico-Legal Society whilst serving as the Chief Justice, and continued in that capacity till 20 January, 1969. He was conferred the title of Deshamanya in the first ever Independence Day National Honours List in 1986.

Special Meeting - 25 .03.1966

It was unanimously decided to enrol as members all those who were present at the meeting and who had expressed a desire to become members and that the Membership Fee should remain at Rs. 10 per year.

The following were elected as the Office Bearers

President Hon. M.C. Sansoni, Chief Justice

Vice President A.C.M. Ameer Q.C.and Prof. Milroy Paul

Treasurer Dr. W.D.L. Fernando

Hony Secy K. C. Nadarajah and Prof H.V.J. Fernando

Council Members A.H.C. De Silva QC, John Attygalle, V. Sivasupramaniam, G.A.C. Sirimanna, Dr. E.M. Wijerama. Dr. S.A. Cabraal,

Mr. S. Amabalavaner was elected unanimously as the Auditor.

It was also decided that the Council should review the Constitution of the Society and suggest amendments, if necessary, and present it to a General Meeting within 2 months.

Public Meeting – 30.06.1966

A Lecture on “Medico Legal Aspects of Post Concussion Syndrome” open to the public was delivered by Dr. S. A. Cabraal, Neuro-Surgeon.

1967/1968

No records are available in respect of this period.

20.01.1969-06.02.1971 – Prof. Milroy A. Paul , Emeritus Professor of Surgery

MRCS London; LRCP London; MB BS London., MRCP London; FRCS London ;MS London; Hon DSc Ceylon.

The tradition of the Chief Justice being the President of the Society changed when Prof. Milroy Paul, a Founder Member of the Society, was elected President on 20.01.1969 at the Annual General Meeting held at the Law Library, Hulftsdorp, where 31 members were present.

Prof. Paul was the Founder Professor of Surgery at the Colombo Medical College and later at the Children’s Hospital. He was the first Ceylonese to be awarded the Hunterian Professorship of the Royal College of Surgeons on three occasions, and was appointed a member of the James IV Association of Surgeons, a rare honour. He was made an Hony.Fellow of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland. He was awarded the Honorary degree of Doctor of Science from the Colombo, Peradeniya and Jaffna Universities. He was the President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association and also functioned as the Registrar of the Medical Council. He was a ‘colossus’ in the medical field in Ceylon and was well known both here and in the UK.

Council Meetings held : 05

Amendment of Constitution

At the Annual General Meeting, held on 20.01.1969 the Constitution was amended to enable Gazetted Officers of the Ceylon Police Force and Staff Officers of the Government Analyst’s Department to be eligible for membership. Law and medical students were eligible to become members without voting rights.

Re-election for a Second Term

At the Annual General Meeting held on 04. 03.1970. Prof. Milroy Paul was re-elected for a second term.

Activities

Symposia and Lectures in 1969 and 1970:

Date	Topic	Resource Persons
20.01.1969 AGM	The Medical Witness	Mr. George Chitty Q.C.
18.05.1969	Infanticide	Prof. Leicester Jayawardena, Dr. N. Kodagoda, Mr. L.B.T. Premaratne QC
14.07.1969	Medico-Legal Aspects of Traffic Accidents	Mr. D.S.S. Jayatilleke S.P. Traffic
11.09.1969	Some Aspects of Identity	Mr. S.Y. Chandrasoma, Mr. G. Webster
17.11.1969	Forensic and Toxicological Aspects of Poisoning by Pesticides	Mr. M.A.Jeyaratnam, Dr. A.B.A. Vedanayagam
04.03.1970 AGM	The Task in Forensic Medicine	Dr. Colvin R. de Silva
10.12.1970	Use of Isotopes on the Detection of Crime	Prof. P. P. G. L. Siriwardena

26.02.1971-09.06.1973 – Hon. V. Sivasupramaniam , Judge of the Supreme Court

Justice V. Sivasupramaniam succeeded Prof. Milroy Paul as President on 06.02.1971.

Justice Sivasupramaniam had a long and distinguished career in the judicial service having joined it in 1941 and retiring in 1970 as a Judge of the Supreme Court.

After his retirement , Justice Sivasupramaniam was one of the three judges appointed to the new Court of Appeal which was established as the Highest Court of the land when appeals to the Privy Council were abolished. He was also appointed a member of the Constitutional Court..

Possibly due to the insurgency which took place on 05.04.1971, activities of the Society seemed to have been curtailed during the 1971/72 period.

Justice Sivasupramaniam was re-elected for a second term at the Annual General Meeting on 28.07.1972.

In his second year there commenced a period of activities hitherto unprecedented in the history of the Society. This was mainly due to the interest taken by Dr. M.S.L. Salgado, who was elected a Joint Secretary of the Society, shortly after his return from the UK in 1972 after a four year period of post graduate study in Forensic Medicine. He injected a great deal of enthusiasm into the activities of the Society and generated considerable interest in the scientific aspects of forensic medicine and this in turn resulted in the need to educate the public, the judiciary, lawyers and the police in various aspects of forensic medicine. Many persons who had gained eminence in their respective fields took part in this exercise.

Council meetings held: 05 in 1972/73.

Membership

The activities of the Society attracted a large number of new members during the period 1972/73 and among them were several who later became distinguished personalities. The numbers enrolled were as follows: 1972 - 95 ; 1973 - 46

With the addition of the above members, the total membership rose to 177.

Activities

Symposia / Lectures

Date	Topic	Resource Persons
06.02.1971 AGM	Forensic Ballistics	Mr. G.A.C. Sirimanne, Govt. Analyst
28.07.1972 AGM	Cross Examination of the Medical, Scientific and Technical Witness	Mr. G.G. Ponnambalam Q.C.
11.10.1972	Insanity and the Law	Mr. A.C. de Zoysa, Prof. C.P. Wijesinghe, Dr. M.A.S. Rajakaruna
08.12.1972	Poisoning and its Medico- Legal Aspects	Mr. T. Kandasamy, Dr. K.E. de S. Karunaratne Dr. W.A.S. de Silva, Justice T.W. Rajaratnam
24.01.1973	Injuries and their Legal Definition	Mr. Eardley Perera, Dr. A. Thavendran, Prof. H.V.J. Fernando, Hon. H.N.G. Fernando C.J.
22.03.1973	Traffic Accidents, their Causes and Consequences	Dr. C. Amarasekera, Mr. D.S.Jayatilleke, Mr. Vernon Wijetunge, Q.C. Dr. S.A. Cabraal, Dr. T.N. Shanmugalingam
25.05.1973	Detection of Murder from Human Remains	Dr. W.D.L. Fernando, Mr. A.H.C. de Silva Prof. Leicester Jayawardena, Dr. (Mrs) S. Chandraraj, Mr. Daya Perera

Proceedings of Public Meetings

A letter from the Editorial Board of the Police Journal requesting the proceedings of public meetings was tabled at the Council Meeting on 09.02.1973 and it was decided to make available some of the proceedings for publication in the Police Journal. (Several Police Journals carried extracts from Lectures and Symposia held at meetings open to the public.)

Amendments to the Constitution

The original Rules of the Society were drafted by a Sub Committee comprising of Mr. J.W.R. Illangakoon, K.C. , Mr. Lawrie Muthukrishna, Dr. J.R. Blaze, Dr. N. Sinnadurai and Mr. L.A. Rajapakse. It was considered and adopted at the first General Meeting of the Society on 24.02.1938.

At a Special General Meeting on 25 March, 1966 it was decided to review the Constitution on a proposal made by Prof. H.V.J. Fernando and seconded by Mr. K.C. Nadarajah. The amended Constitution was adopted at the Annual General meeting held on 20.01.1969.

At the Council meeting held on 18 August, 1972 , on a suggestion made by the President and Dr. W.D.L. Fernando, Mr. B.A.R. Candappa was requested to draw up a draft Constitution for the Society in consultation with Mr. A.H.C. de Silva and Mr. Sivasupramaniam, as the existing rules were found to be unsatisfactory. The draft was considered at three Council Meetings and it was adopted at the Council Meeting on 04.05.1973 and it was decided to circulate the draft and present it to the Annual General Meeting.

The draft of the new Constitution was adopted at the Annual General meeting held on 09.06.1973.

Amendments to Section 311 of the Penal Code

The Council appointed a Sub Committee comprising of Hon. H.N.G. Fernando C.J. (Chairman), Prof. H.V.J. Fernando, Dr. Chandra Amarasekera and Dr. M.S.L. Salgado to submit a report on the recommendations that should be made to the Minister of Justice regarding amendments to the Legal Definition of Injuries as embodied in Section 311 of the Penal Code.

Visit of a British Forensic Pathologist

A suggestion made by Dr. Salgado to arrange a visit by a British Forensic Pathologist sponsored by the British Council was approved and he was requested to take further steps in the matter. A tentative programme for the visit was discussed and drawn up.

International Conference of Forensic Scientists at Edinburgh

The Council ratified the issue of a letter to Dr. N. Kodagoda , then in England, to represent the Society at the above Conference in September, 1972.

09.06.1973 – 28.04.1975 – Dr. W. D. L. Fernando, Retired Consultant JMO , Colombo

Dr. W.D.L. Fernando, LMS (Ceylon), MRCP (Edin), Retired Consultant JMO presided over the Society during this period.

Dr. Fernando held the post of J.M.O. Colombo from 1956 until his retirement in 1970. In his time, there was only one J.M.O in the country and his services were sought by the Police and the Courts throughout the country. In effect he was the J.M.O. Ceylon. He figured in several sensational cases, and he along with Sir Sydney Smith examined the gun shot wounds sustained by the late Mr. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, Prime Minister of Ceylon, on 26 September, 1956..

Council meetings held: 05 in 1973; 04 in 1974/75.

Membership

Enrolments – 1973 – 91; 1974 - 21 ; 1975 - 16

The total Membership stood at 294 at this stage.

Activities

Symposia and Lectures

Date	Topic	Resource Persons
07.09.1973	The Medico-Legal and Sociological Aspects of Abortions	Mrs. S.A. Dissanayake, Mr. B.A.R. Candappa, Dr. D.E. Gunatilleke, Dr. N. Kodagoda
17.11.1973 *	Injuries from Firearms	Prof. H. Ranasinghe, Mr. Newton Weerasinghe, Mr. Sam Kadirgamar
28.06.1974	Drug Abuse in Sri Llanka	Mr. D.C. Jayasuriya, Prof. N.D.W. Lionel, Dr. R. Nadarajah, Mr. R. Sunderalingam
25.10.1974	Medico-Legal Aspects of Sexual Offences	Mr. George Candappa, Dr. R. Sarveswaran, Mr. A.R.L. Wijesekera, Dr. Susil Manukulasooriya
07.02.1975	Bombs and Explosives	Mr. S.B.W. de Silva, Mr. Newton Weerasinghe, Dr. Saravanapananthan, Mr. T.J. Marapone

* Seminar was held at the Police Training School, Katukurunda.

Sub Committee to Examine the Laws pertaining to Abortion

The above sub Committee was appointed at the meeting held on 17.09.1973 and comprised of the following members: Dr. W.D.L. Fernando (Chairman), Dr. S. Rajanayagam, Dr. Miss Siva Chinnathamby, Dr. N.A.S. Rajakaruna, Mr. Eardley Perera, Mr. Edward Gunawardena and Dr. M.S.L. Salgado (Convenor). The Final Report of the Sub Committee was considered on 11.11.1974 and the amendments proposed were approved. It was decided that a suitable Memorandum should be drafted by Mr. R.K.W. Gunasekera and Dr. Salgado and forwarded to the Ministry of Health.

Visit of Prof. Keith Simpson

Professor Keith Simpson visited Sri Lanka from 2^nd to 14^th February 1974 and conducted lectures in Colombo, Peradeniya and Galle, details of which are as follows:

Date	Topic	Resource Persons	Attendance
06.02.1974 Colombo	Preparation of Crime Cases for Courts	Prof. Keith Simpson, Mr. Tyrrel Gunatilleke, Mr. Ranjith Abeysuriya	Over 400
07.02.1974 Colombo	Scientific Investigation of Crime	Prof. Keith Simpson	Over 400
08.02.1974 Peradeniya	The Medical Expert in Court	Prof. Keith Simpson	Over 400
12.02.1974 Galle	Sudden and Violent Death	Prof. Keith Simpson	200

Amendments to Section 311 of the Penal Code - Sub Committee to study Legal Definition of Injuries

The report of the Sub Committee was approved with minor alterations at a meeting held on 03.10.1973. It was decided to circulate it and invite comments. The Report was forwarded to the Ministry of Justice on 27.11.1973 and the Society was advised that it would be considered shortly. The report was also circulated among members.

Amendments to the Medico-Legal Report Form, Post Mortem Report Form , General Hospital Ticket Form

A Sub Committee comprising of the following members was appointed at the meeting held on 03.10.1973: Dr. D.C.P. Amarasekera (Chairman), Mr. Vimal Wickremasooriya, Mr. L. Boyagoda, Dr. N. Kodagoda and Dr. M.S.L. Salgado (Convenor). Mr. Edward Gunawardena was included as a member of the Sub Committee to review the General Hospital Ticket Form.

Their recommendations on the GHT Form were approved on 13.05.1974 and the amended Form was forwarded to the Police Dept. for implementation.

The amendments to the Medico-Legal Report Form and the Post Mortem Report Form were also approved on 13.05.1974 and submitted to the Director of Health Services.

Amendments to the Constitution

During this period, the Constitution was amended to make any Police Officer eligible for membership.

Another amendment provided for the election of Hony. Life Members by the Council of any members who have rendered special service to the Society or who have distinguished themselves in the field of law or medicine or allied sciences. The first two elected to this distinguished category were Prof. Milroy Paul and Dr. E.M. Wijerama.

At a Special General Meeting which preceded the Seminar held at Kalutara on 17.11.1973, Clause 13 (a) of the Constitution was amended so that the Annual General meeting could be held in March each year or as soon as possible thereafter.

28.04.1975 – 22.09. 1978 – Mr. A.H.C. de Silva, Queen’s Counsel

Mr. A.H.C. de Silva Q.C. presided over the Society during this period. Mr. de Silva was one of several leading legal luminaries who adorned the Unofficial Bar in the 50s, 60s and 70s. He practised in the Appellate as well as Original Courts and his services were much in demand both in civil and criminal cases. Many persons who distinguished themselves in the field of law later, apprenticed in his chambers. Among the sensational cases he appeared in are the Ceylon Treason Trial : Queen vs Liyanage and Others, where he appeared for two of the defendants and the Kalattawa Double Murder Trial ,where he appeared for the first accused, Alfred de Soyza. The Kalattawa case was the only one in Sri Lanka at the time where the bodies were not found and bone fragments etc of only one body was found.

Council meetings held: 03 in 1975/76; 06 in 1977/78

Membership

Enrolments: 1976 – 07; 1977 – 40; 1978 - 08

By the end of this period the membership had risen to 380. However, it is recorded that over 219 members were in arrears due to the absence of up to date lists of members with their addresses.

Activities

Symposia and Seminars :

Date	Topic	Resource Persons
11.09.1975	Industrial and Occupational Accidents – Medico-Legal Aspects	Dr. A.N. Haniffa, Dr. A. Vijeyaraghavan Mr. G.S. Fernando, Mr. N. Satyendra
21.05.1976	Euthanasia	Prof. H.V.J. Fernando, Dr. Mrs. R. Weerasinghe Mr. R.K. W. Gunasekera
27.05.1977	Tissue and Organ Transportation	Dr. P. R. Anthonis, F.R.C.S. (Eng)
28.03.1978	Drink and Driving	Mr. E. Egodapitiya, Dr. M.S.L. Salgado Mr. T. Kandasamy, Mr. Daya Perera

Course of Lectures on Forensic Science, Law and Allied Sciences

A Sub Committee comprising of Prof. H.V.J. Fernando, Prof. Nandadasa Kodagoda, and the 2 Joint Secretaries, Mr. Lalith Jayawickrema and Dr. M. Perumainar was appointed to study the matter and an Interim Report was submitted. Their final report was awaited.

Crest of the Society

The need to design a Crest for the Society was recognized and he Council decided to enlist the assistance of Prof. S.R. Kottegoda for the purpose. The design was prepared and submitted to the Council for approval.

Publicity

It was considered necessary to give wide publicity to the activities of the Society as a means of evoking interest not only among members but also of the general public as well, and the possibility of bringing out at least an occasional publication was discussed at the Annual General Meeting on22 09.1978.

Curtailment of Activities

In the Annual Report for the period 1977/78 the Hony. Joint Secretaries noted that the activities of the Society had to be curtailed due to circumstances beyond control.

22.09.1978 – 31.07.1981 – Prof. H.V.J. Fernando, Professor of Forensic Medicine

Prof. H.V.J. Fernando, MBBS (Ceylon); MBBS (London); MD (London) presided over the Society during this period.

On the retirement of Prof. G.S.W. de Saram in May 1958. he was appointed to act in the post of Professor of Forensic Medicine at the Ceylon Medical College and on 10 July, 1959 he was appointed the second Professor of Forensic Medicine. He was the Registrar of the Ceylon Medical Council from 1982 to 1994 and was also the first Chairman of the Board of Study in Forensic Medicine at the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine.

Council meetings held: 10

Membership

Enrolments : 1979 – 02; 1981 - 12

Activities

Symposia and Seminars

Date	Topic	Resource Persons
04.12.1978	Medico-Legal Aspects of Head Injuries	Prof. Chandra Amarasekera, Dr. S.A. Cabraal, Mr. Daya Perera, Mr. Vernon Wijetunge Q.C.
14.02.1979	The Test Tube Baby	Rev. Fr. Perniola S.J. Dr. (Miss) Siva Chinnathamby, Mr. Mervyn St. S. Casiechitty, Dr. Carlo Fonseka
09.05.1980	Drugs, Alcohol and Legislation	Dr. V. Sathkunanayagam, , Mr. Pio-Abarro,

Crest of the Society

At the Council Meeting held on 05.01.1979, the proposed Crest was approved with appropriate modifications.

Short –term Fellowships for JMO’s

At the Council meeting held on 05.01.1979, a suggestion made by Dr. M.S.L. Salgado to write to WHO/SEARO to grant short-term Fellowships to Judicial Medical Officers to familiarize with recent advances in the field of Forensic Medicine was accepted.

Inaugural Dr. W.D.L. Fernando Oration

It was during this period that Society decided to hold the Dr. W.D.L. Fernando Memorial Oration in honour of the late Dr. W.D.L. Fernando and the Inaugural Oration was held on 09.04.1981 at the Anatomy Lecture Theatre, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo 8.

Date	Topic	Resource Person
09.04.1981	Life and work of Dr. Fernando	Prof. Chandra Amarasekera

At the Council Meeting held on 08.02.1980, Dr. Cabraal suggested the creation of an endowment or a fund at the Bank by the family , where the interest accruing on the endowment itself could be utilized for the expenses in connection with the oration and this fund could be further increased by calling for contributions from professional men.

At the Council Meeting held on 12.12.1980, the Council decided to invite His Excellency the President, the Hon. Prime Minister, Hon. Chief Justice, Hon. Minister of Justice , Hon. Minister of Health etc for the Inaugural Oration.

Amendment of the Constitution

At the Council Meeting held on 12.12.1980, Dr. M.S.L. Salgado suggested that the constitution should be amended to have 8 members for the Council, and it was accepted.

Participation in a Seminar at the Australian Academy of Sciences

At the Council Meeting held on 08.03.1981, the Council agreed to nominate Dr. Saravanapavanathan to participate in the above Seminar to be held in Sydney in May, 1980.

Nominations to the Council of the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine

At the Council Meeting held on 04.07.1980, the Council decided to nominate the following to the Council of the PGIM: Dr. M.S.L Salgado, Mr. Daya Perera, Mr. Tyrrel Gunatilleke, Mr. M.B. Dissanayake and Mr. Vernon Wijetunge.

Meetings of the Council

At the Council Meeting held on 28 .11.1980, members had drawn attention to the fact that no regular meetings including the Annual General meeting had been held and it had been pointed out that failure was due to certain unavoidable circumstances beyond the control of the office-bearers. Members had emphasized the need to adhere to the Constitution strictly.

Increase in the Annual Membership Subscription

At the Council Meeting held on 08.05.1981, it was decided to increase the annual subscription for membership to Rs. 25 /- per year

31.07.1981-23.03.1984 – Mr. Vernon Wijetunge, Queen’s Counsel

Mr. Vernon Wijetunge Q.C. presided over the Society during this period. Mr. Wijetunge was enrolled as an Advocate in 1943, having passed out from the Ceylon Law College and was later admitted as a Barrister-at-Law of Gray's Inn, London. He was appointed Queens Counsel in 1968. He practised both in the Original and in the Appellate Courts early in his career later specialized in civil litigation in the District Courts in Colombo as well as in the outstations.

Council meetings held: 05 in 1981/82; 05 in 1983/84.

Membership

Enrolments : 1983 - 12

Activities

Symposia and Seminars

Date	Topic	Resource Persons
31.07.1981	Doctor’s Dilemma	Mr. Vernon Wijetunge Q.C.
06.11.1981	The New Law and the Drinking Driver	Mr. Eardley Perera P.C. Mr. Priyantha Perera, Mr. Ernest Perera, Dr. M.S.L. Salgado
26.02.1982	Human Organ Transplants	Prof. H.V.J. Fernando, Mr. D.C. Jayasuriya
12.11.1982 AGM	Detection of the Surreptitious Disposal of the Dead	Prof. Chandra Amarasekera
04.03.1983	Scientific Detection of Crime - Detection of Forgery	Mr. P.H. Manatunge
10.06.1983	Drug Abuse in Sri Lanka	Mr. Daya Perera, Dr. Nalaka Mendis, Mr. Hema Weerasinghe, Dr. Ravindra Fernndo

Dr. W.D.L. Fernando Oration

Date

Topic

Resource Person

25.08.1982

Development of Medico-Legal System in Gt. Britain & Some Important Historical Cases

Prof. Keith Mant, Prof. of Forensic Medicine, Guy’s Hospital, London.

25.11.1983

Modern Trends in Medical Ethics

Prof. Bernard Knight, Professor of Forensic Medicine, Welsh National School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK.

1^st Asian Pacific Congress on Legal Medicine and Forensic Science

The 1^st Asian Pacific Congress was held in Singapore from 18 to 22 September, 1983, and its purpose was to develop Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences in the region and promote exchange of information.

It was organized by the Medico-Legal Society of Singapore together with those of Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh. This grouping was also referred to as the Asian and Pacific Area Medico-Legal Society.

390 persons from 30 countries participated , including 51 from the host country

At this meeting, the the following presentations were made: 1 Keynote Address, 4 Plenary Lectures, and 12 Symposia, 19 Free Paper Sessions of 66 papers.

Prof. Chandra Amarasekera represented the Society at the 1^st Asian Pacific Congress on Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences , along with Dr. A.T. Balachandra, Prof. N. Saravanapavanandan and Prof. N. Kodagoda.

Prof. Amarasekera was elected as a Vice President of the Congress, and as requested by the Society it had been decided to hold the next Congress in Sri Lanka. Professor Amarasekera was appointed as Coordinator to finalize arrangements for the next Congress in Sri Lanka.

At the Congress the following presentations were made on behalf of Sri Lanka:

Prof. N. Saravananapavananthan – Law Breakers and Victims – Sexual Crime Statistics in Sri Lanka

Prof. N. Kodagoda – Teaching of Forensic Medicine

Dr. A.T. Balachandra – Trap Gun Injuries in a Rural Area in Sri Lanka

The first President of the Asia Pacific Association was Prof. Chao Tzee Cheng.

At the general meeting which followed the Congress, it had been decided to change the name of the Association to Indo-Pacific Association of Law, Medicine and Science (INPALMS), in order to include the African countries

It was agreed unanimously that Dr. M.S.L. Salgado who was due to be elected as President of the Society in 1986, would chair the Congress to be held in Colombo in that year.

At the Council Meeting held on 14.10.1983 Professor Amarasekera gave an account of his experiences at the Congress.

Life membership Subscription

At the Annual General Meeting held on 23.03.1984, a resolution moved by Dr. A. T. Balachandran that the Subscription Fee for a Life Member be revised from Rs. 150/- to Rs. 350/= was approved unanimously and was to be effective from 24.03.1984.

23.03.1984-19.06.1987 - Dr. M.S.L. Salgado, Consultant JMO, Colombo

Dr. M.S.L. Salgado JMO Colombo presided over the Society during this period. Dr. Salgado was JMO, Colombo from 1982 to 1990 during a period of turmoil in the country , as a result of the riots of July 1983 and the insurgencies in the North and South. As President of the Medico-Legal Society, he chaired the Second Asia-Pacific Congress on Legal Medicine and Science held in Colombo from 14 to 18 August 1986, and it was during this Congress that the Indo-Pacific Association of Legal Medicine and Science (INPALMS) was inaugurated on 16 August, 1986. He was involved in drafting the Constitution of INPALMS and functioned as the President of INPALMS from 1992 to 1998. He retired in 1990 and was Professor of Forensic Medicine at the North Colombo Medical College from 1990 to 1995.

Council meetings held: 08 in 1984/85; 03 in 1985/86; 30 Special Meetings in connection with the Indo-Pacific Congress.

Membership

Enrolments: 1984 - 32 ; 1985 – 38; 1986 - 57

The total membership then stood at 40 Life members and 150 Ordinary members.

Activities

Dr. W.D.L. Fernando Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
08.06.1984	The Problem of Prevention of Drug Abuse as significant to Singapore with special reference to “Operation Ferret”.	Prof. Chao Tzee Cheng, Prof. of Forensic Medicine, University of Singapore
12.07.1985	A Cause Celebre – The Nielsen Murder File	Prof. D.A.L. Bowen, Prof. of Forensic Medicine, Charring Cross Medical School, University of London
15.08.1986	Experience of a Forensic Pathologist in Terrorist Fatalities in Northern Ireland.	Prof. T.K. Marshal, Prof. of Forensic Medicine, Queens University, Belfast

Symposia and Seminars

Date	Topic	Resource Persons
21.08.1984	Accident, Suicide or Murder	Prof. Keith Mant, Prof. of Forensic Medicine, Guy’s Hospital Medical School, University of London.
31.05.1985	Suicide	Prof. N. Ratnapala, Dr. K. Kananyagam Mrs. N. Jeyaratnam, Dr. N. Chandrasiri
25.10.1985	Medico-legal Aspects of Human Rights	Mr. P. Sunil de Silva, Addl. Solicitor General
15.01.1987	Euthanasia for Terminal Ilnesses	Mr. Mervyn, Casiechitty, Dr. L.B.L. de Alwis, Mr. Tyrrel Goonatilleke, Mr. Kolitha Dharmawardena

Board of Study in Forensic Medicine – PGIM

Dr. M.S.L. Salgado and Mr. E.B. Dissanayake represented the Society in the Board of Study in Forensic Medicine at the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine.

Dr. K. Ratnavadivel represented the Society during the absence of Dr. Salgado from the island.

Prof. H.V.J. Fernando represented the Society during the absence of Dr. K. Ratnavadivel from the island.

Subsequently, Mr. A.R.L. Wijesekera was nominated on the resignation of Mr. E.B. Dissanayake.

Election of Life Member

His Excellency J.R. Jayawardena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, who was a Founder member of the Society was unanimously elected an Honorary Life Member of the Council.

Declaration as an Approved Charity

The Medico-Legal Society was declared an approved charity under Section 31(9) (a) of the Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Act No. 28 of 1979, by the Hon. Minister of Finance by Gazette Notification No. 398 dated 18 April, 1986.

2^nd Asia Pacific Congress on Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences

Inauguration of the Indo-Pacific Association of Law, Medicine and Science (INPALMS)

A significant event that took place during this period was the hosting of the Second Asia -Pacific Congress on Legal Medicine and Forensic Science and the inauguration of the Indo-Pacific Association of Law, Medicine and Science (INPALMS) in 1986.

Funding the Congress was discussed at several meetings and the Society accepted donations from the following members: Prof. H.V.J. Fernando, Mr. Tyrell Goonetilleke, Mr. Mervyn Casiechetty and Mr. E.B. Dissanayake who donated Rs 100/= each at the meeting held on 05.12.1984. Prof. Chandra Amarasekera donated Rs. 1000/=. Mr. Daya Perera donated Rs. 50,000/-. An outright donation of Rs. 11,965.77 was made by the Singapore Medico—Legal Society. The Endocrine Society of Sri Lanka gave a loan of Rs. 25,000/=.

The Organizing Committee consisted of the following: Dr. M.S.L. Salgado, Dr. A.R.B. Amersinghe, Mr. Ernest Perera, Prof. H.V.J. Fernando, Prof. Chandra Amarasekera, Mrs. D.M. Atapattu, Dr. Ravindra Fernando, Dr. Gervin de Silva, Mr. M.A.J. Mendis, Mr. Daya Perera and Dr. L.U.C. Kumarage.

The Co-ordinators were: Dr. B.A.W. Balasooiya, Dr. L.B.L. de Alwis, Mrs Kamalini de Silva, Dr. Mrs. Sriya Gunasekera, Dr. C.D. Herat, Prof. N. Kodagoda, Mr. P.H. Manatunge, Dr. B.R.R. Mendis, Mr. Bennet Perera, Mrs. Constance Perera, Dr. Mrs. Ranee Perera, Mr. W.E.H. Perera, Dr. Sydney Premathirathe, Dr. Ananda Samarasekera, Prof. N. Saravanapavanathan, Dr. P.U. Thelisinghe, Dr. Jagath Wickremarachchi, Mr. A.R.L Wijesekera and Mr. Lalith Jayawickrema.

The Congress was inaugurated by His Excellency President J.R. Jayawardena at the B.M.I.C.H on 14.08.1986. Sessions were held from 14 to 18 August 1986.

At this Congress, there were 13 Plenary Lectures, 9 Symposia , and 115 Free Papers.

227 persons from 38 countries participated, including 88 from the host country. A significant feature at this Congress was the participation of an official delegation from the People’s Republic of China.

It was chaired by Dr. M. S. L. Salgado, the then President of the Society. Dr. Ravindra Fernando functioned as Secretary General of the Congress.

Plenary Lectures

Of the 13 Plenary Lectures, 2 were delivered on behalf of Sri Lanka :

Mr. Sunil de Silva – Human Rights in Forensic Science

Dr. M.S.L. Salgado – Forensic Medicine in the Indo-Pacific Region : History and Current Practice

Symposium

The following contributions were made on behalf of Sri lanka:

Prof. N. Kodagoda – The Problem of Drug Abuse in Sri Lanka

Mr. A.R.L. Wijesekera – Determination of Arsenic in Opium and Strychnine in Opium and Heroin

Mr. R. Suntheralingam – Drug Abuse and Law Enforcement

Prof. N. Senanayake – Poisoning in Sri Lanka

Defence Expert – Dr. D.C.P. Amarasekera

Mr. D.P. Kumarasinghe – Prosecution Expert Witness

Mr. P.H. Manatunge – Document Examination

Dr. B.A.W. Balasuriya -

38 Free Papers were presented on behalf of Sri Lanka :.

Dr. N. Kodagoda – A system of Description of Injuries

Dr. U. Manukulasooriya – Family Practitioner as Police Surgeon

Dr. S. Nanayakkara – Identikit Reliability in a series of Rapes – a case study

Manatunge and Dharmawardena – Use of carbon 14 beta radiography in document examination

Balasooriya B.A.W. and Fernando S – A Study of Eruption Sequence of Permanent Dentition

Mendis N.R. – Dental Tubule as a Possible New Method in Age Determination and Age Determination from Human Teeth – A Critical Evaluation of Methods

Balasooriya B.A.W. and Kumarage L.U.C. – Suicide Trends in Sri Lanka

Fernando R – Sudden Death while Cycling due to Hypertrophic Cardiomypathy

Goonetilleke U.K.D.A. – Fatal Accident in the Home – Identificqation, Causes, Methods of Possible Prevention

Kodagoda N. and Jayasinghe S. – A Preliminary Test of Pearsons Formula for Estimationof heights of Sri Lankans

Nadesan K – An Unusual Case of Death following a Rifled Weapon Injury

Nanayakkara S. – Road Safety – An Integral Approach

Permipanayagam – Road Trafic Accidents

Salgado L. – Identification from Skeletal Remains

Salgado L. and Colombage S.M. – Analysis of 524 Fatalities in Road Accidents

Salgado L. Nad Fernando N. R. – AirLanka Tristar Bomb Explosion

Samarasinghe D. – Incest in Sri Lanka – the Power Perspective

Dharmawardena K. – Role of Forensic Science Experts in the Investigation and Trial under Special Laws.

Goonetilleke T – Human Rights and Criminal Investigation

Manukulasooriya U. – Cost of Care for the Police Officers and those in Custody

Amaratunge N.G. – Expert Evidence

Jayawardena C.H.S.- Forensic Science and the Law

Ramanathan P – Some Aspects of Law relating to Abortion

Ratnayake N – Expert Evidence

Siribaddana S – Child abuse

Kodagoda and Gnanaloka – A Camp Method of Treatment of Heroin Dependent Persons

Kumarasinghe D.P.- Drugs – A Growing Problem in Sri Lanka

Fernando R.L. – Pattern of Chemical Poisoning in a N.S.W. Hospital in Comparison with that of a SE Asian Hospital

Fernando R. - An Unusual case of Fatal Accidental Paraquat Poisoning

Karalliedde and Senanayke – Acute Organophosphate Insecticide Poisoning in Sri Lanka

Peiris J.B. – Respiratory Failure from severe Organophosphate toxicity due to Absorption through Skin

Salgado L and De Alwis L – Agrochemcial Poisoning in Sri Lanka

Saravanapavanathan N – Yellow Oleander Poisoning – A Study of 170 Cases

Senanayake and Karalliedde – Pseudo – neuropathy – a new syndrome of Organo phosphorous Insecticide Poisoning

Senanayake N. – Delayed Neurotoxicity of Organo Phosphate marketed in Sri Lanka

SEnanayake and Karalliedde – Patternof Acute Poisoning in a Medical Unit in Central Sri Lanka

Fernando R.L. – Management of Victims exposed to a Terrorist Bomb Attack at N.S.W. Australia

Rajapakse M.D.A. - Terrorism

This constituted a landmark event and placed Sri Lanka on the world map.

It must be placed on record that many more countries would have participated if not for the for the tragic bomb explosion on 3 May 1986 at the Katunayake Airport and subsequent bomb explosions at the Central Telecommunications Office, Colombo, Ceylon Cold Stores and at Veyangoda.

The Congress made a profit of over Rs. 800,000 by holding these Sessions.

The Indo-Pacific Association of Law, Medicine and Science (INPALMS), was inaugurated at a meeting held on 16 August 1986, and the Chairman of the 2^nd Asia Pacific Congress, Dr. M.S.L. Salgado proposed that Prof. Chao (in absentia) be elected President of INPALMS and this proposal was accepted unanimously.

Dr. Salgado was involved in drafting the Constitution of INPALMS and it was at this meeting that the Constitution was adopted, office bearers and the council were elected and the location of the Secretariat was decided, in order to cater to the needs and coordinate activities of international and individual members.

The Dr. W.D.L. Fernando Oration was also held during the period of the Congress on 15.08.1986 and was delivered by Prof. T.K. Marshall , Prof. of Forensic Medicine, Queens University , Belfast on the topic “Experience of a Forensic Pathologist in Terrorist fatalities in Northern Ireland”.

Organizing the Golden Jubilee Celebrations due in1987

A Special Committee with Mr. Daya Perera as Chairman was appointed in 1986 to organize the Golden Jubilee Celebrations due in the following year. The following events were planned to be held:

Medico-Legal Exhibition 10 and 11 December, 1987

Social and Dinner 11 December1987

Scientific Sessions 12 December 1987

Seminar and TV Programme To be decided later.

19.06.1987 – 25.01.1988 – Mr. Daya Perera, President’s Counsel

Mr. Daya Perera P.C. held the post of President of the Society during this period. Mr. Perera passed out as an advocate from the Ceylon Law College and joined the Attorney General’s Department as a Crown Counsel. He was instrumental in many celebrated criminal prosecutions in the 1950s and 1960s. While serving as a Crown Counsel, he was seconded to the Sri Lanka Army and was responsible for the establishment of the Legal Division in the Army. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was appointed as a President’s Counsel in 1981. He resigned as President of the Medico-legal Soceity prematurely to serve as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United Nations in New York from 1988 to 1991. In 2008, he was appointed as the High Commissioner to Canada.. He was also the President of the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) from 1998 to 2008.

Council meetings held: 6 up to 25.01.1988

Profit from the 2^nd Indo-Pacific Congress

It was announced at the Annual General Meeting held on 19.06.1987 that a sum of Rs. 812,911.41 had been credited to the Medico-Legal Society, being the profit derived from the Second Indo-Pacific Congress held in Colombo in August 1986.

Activities

Golden Jubilee Celebrations

The following programme was conducted in connection with the Golden Jubilee of the Society:

10.12.87 Medico-Legal Exhibition

11.12.87 Medico -Legal Exhibition

11.12.87 Golden Jubilee Dinner - Chief Guest : His Excellency J. R. Jayawardena, President of Sri Lanka and a Founder Member of the Society

A Golden Jubilee Souvenir was also published and a TV Programme was telecast on 15.01.1988 at 9.25 p.m.

The Dr. W.D.L. Fernando Oration and the Scientific Sessions were also held to coincide with the Golden Jubilee Celebrations, details of which are as follows:

Dr. W.D.L. Fernando Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
09.12.1987	Circumstantial Evidence	Dr. Colvin R. de Silva

The Scientific Sessions

Date

Chief Guest/Addresses

Plenary Sessions

12.12.1987

Dr. Nissanka Wijeratne, Minister of Justice – Chief Guest Addresses by Hon.Lalith Athulatmudali M.P. Minister of National Security and Hon. Dr.Ranjith Attapattu, Minister of Health

Dr. M.S.L. Salgado, Mr. A.R.L. Wijesekera,

Mr. Chandra Fernando, Prof. G.L.Peiris

Lecture

Date	Topic	Resource Person
08.07.1987	Reminiscences of a London Forensic Pathologist	Prof. Keith Mant, Emeritus Professor of Forensic Medicine, Guy's Hospital Medical School, University of London

Mr. Daya Perera resigned from the post of President w.e.f 25.01.1988. to accept an assignment abroad.

25.01.1988-15.06.1990 – Hon. P. Ramanathan, Judge of the Supreme Court

Justice P. Ramanathan presided over the Society during this period.

Justice Ramanathan was a Barrister-at-Law and a Bencher of the Gray’s Inn. On his return from the UK he served as a Crown Counsel at the Attorney General’s Department and in 1978, was appointed a Judge of the High Court. He was later appointed to the Court of Appeal and finally to the Supreme Court.He was a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague. After his retirement, he was appointed Governor of the Western Province and thereafter Chancellor of the Uva Wellassa University. He was conferred with the title “Deshamanya” the highest National Award of Sri Lanka.

Council meetings held: 04 in 1988; 05 in 1989/90.

Membership

Enrolments : 1988 – 65; 1989 – 04; 1990 - 08

Follow-up Activities

The following were carried out during this period:

• Finalizing the Accounts of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations held in December 1987 during the first half of 1988;

• Updating the Membership Register;

• Sorting out and streamlining the Accounting Procedures; and

• Drafting the Bill of Incorporation of the Society.

Annual Events of the Society

The Scientific Sessions and other planned activities were not held during this period due to the unsettled security situation in the country in the years 1988, 1989 and 1990.

Activities :

W.D.L. Fernando Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
08.07.1988	Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson – 100 years old	Prof. Alan Watson. Regius Professor of Forensic Medicine, University of Glasgow
02.06.1989	Nature &Scope of Inquests	Prof. G.L. Peiris

Presentation

Date

Topic

Resource Person

09.01.1990

Crime and Violence -Experiences of a London Forensic Pathologist”.

Prof. J.M. Cameron , Prof. of Forensic Medicine, London Hospital Medical College, University of London

Invitation to attend Scientific Sessions in Peking

At the invitation of the Government of China , Dr. M.S.L. Salgado attended the Scientific Sessions held in Peking at his own expense .

3^rd Congress - Indo-Pacific Association of Law, Medicine and Science (INPALMS)

The 3^rd Congress was held in Madras, India from 08 to 12 September 1989 and it was chaired by Prof. Chandra Sekharan.

There were 252 participants from 29 countries including 180 from the host country.

The Sessions included 1 Keynote Address , 4 Plenary Lectures, 17 Prime Lectures, 1 Plenary

3 Symposia and 149 Free Papers

Dr. M.S. L. Salgado led a delegation from Sri Lanka to the 3^rd Congress held at the Taj Coromandel Hotel. Other members of the delegation were : Dr. S.M. Colombage, Dr. P.A.C. de Silva, Dr. K. Nadesan, Dr. Ravindra Fernando, Prof. N. Saravanapavanathan.

The following members of the Society were members of the INPALMS Council:

Dr. M.S.L. Salgado – Vice President ; Dr. Ravindra Fernando – Secretary General; Justice P. Ramanathan – Council Member.

The keynote address at the Congress was made by Mr. P. Chandra Sekharan who chaired the meeting.

Among those from the Sri Lankan delegation the following made contributions :

Prime Lectures

Dr. M.S.L. Salgado – Pattern of Injuries seen in Deaths due to Battering

Symposium

Dr. M.S.L. Salgado – Sri Lanka Mass Disaster

Dr. K. Nadesan – Multiple Unexpected Deaths in Air Force Recruits

Free Papers

Dr. S.M. Colombage – An Analysis of 300 cases of Poisoning in a Predominantly Farming Community in Sri Lanka

Dr. Ravindra Fernando and Dr. Dulitha Fernando – Poisoning : Mortality Trends in Sri Lanka

Dr. M.S.L. Salgado – Recovery of Heroin from the Rectum of a Carrier

Dr. P.A.C. de Silva – Aim at Zero Population Growth (ZPG) or Face Disaster

Board of Study in Forensic Medicine at the PGIM

Dr. L.B.L. de Alwis was nominated to the Board of Study in place of Mr. Daya Perera who left the island to take up an appointment abroad.

At the meeting held on 23.01.1989, a letter dated 19.01.1989 from the PGIM requesting the nomination of six members for the Board of Study in Forensic Medicine for a period of three years commencing from 01.04.1989 was tabled. The Council decided to nominate the following:

Prof. H.V.J. Fernando, Dr. M.S.L. Salgado, Dr. L.B.L. de Alwis, Dr. Gervin de Silva, Mr. A.R.L. Wijesekera, Mr. Vernon Wijetunge.

Newsletter of the Society

3 Newsletters containing news about the activities of the Society were distributed to members during the period 20.06.1987 to 27.01.1989.

15.06.1990 – 31.07.1992 – Mr. A.R.L. Wijesekera, Govt. Analyst

B.Sc (Cey), M.Sc. (Glas), FRSC, FCS, FI (Chem) C (UK)

Mr. A.R.L. Wijesekera, Govt. Analyst, presided over the Society during this period. He was the first Scientist to be appointed as previous incumbents included medical and legal luminaries.

Mr. Wijesekera joined the Government Analyst's Department in 1954 and retired as Government Analyst in 1992. He was conferred a doctorate in Science by a University in the USA and obtained post graduate qualifications in Forensic Science from the Strathclyde University, Glasgow, UK. Part of his work included giving expert testimony in numerous cases of murder, rape and other forms of violence. He later became a Consultant to the UNDCP and WHO and was chairman of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution from 1998 to 2000.

He was a former national Badminton champion and represented Sri Lanka in the Thomas Cup. Later, he became a top class Badminton coach, a National Selector in Badminton and President of the Sri Lanka Badminton Association

Council meetings held: 08 in 1990/91; 03 in 1991/92.

Membership

Enrolments: 1990 – 07; 1991 – 44; 1992 - 05

Activities

W.D.L. Fernando Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
09.10.1990	Exclusion of Evidence &the Promotion of Justice	Hon. Lalith Athulathmudali
12.07.1991	Recent Trends in Forensic Medicine	Prof. J.M. Cameron , Prof. of Forensic Medicine, University of London

Seminar

Date	Topic	Resource Persons
05.03.1991	Should termination of Pregnancy be Liberalized	Mr. Upawansa Yapa, Dr. Sriyani Basnayake, Dr. Nalin Fernando,Dr. K. Nadesan and Revd. Fr. Emmanuel Fernando

The Scientific Sessions

Date	Chief Guest/Address	Plenary Sessions
16.11. 1991	Hon. A.C.S. Hameed, Minister of Justice – Chief Guest Keynote Address: Hon. Justice A.R.B. Amerasinghe	Mr. P. Sunil de Silva, Mr. T.P. F. de Silva, Mr. A.R.L. Wijesekera, Dr. M.S.L. Salgado

Medico-Legal Society Oration

The holding of a Medico-Legal Society Oration annually was proposed by Dr. M.S.L. Salgado and it was accepted by the Society.

Incorporation of the Society

The draft Act of Incorporation was approved by the Council and handed over to the Bills Section of Parliament for necessary action. Minister of Legal and Prison Reform, Hon. Tyrone Fernando kindly agreed to present the Bill in Parliament. Necessary preliminary gazette and paper notifications were made.

Publications

The Council approved a sum of Rs. 100,000/- for the publication of a Journal of the Society to enable the next Council to give priority to the publication of the Journal.

The first Newsletter published by the Indo Pacific Association of Law, Medicine and Science (INPALMS) of which the Society is a member, was published in May 1991. It was circulated among the members. The Society contributed Rs. 6947/- towards its publication.

Symbol of the Society

The Council agreed to the use of a Symbol on ceremonial occasions.

Board of Study in Forensic Medicine of the PGIM

The Council unanimously nominated the following members to serve for a period of three years on the Board of Study: Prof. M.S.L. Salgado, Mr. Daya Perera, Mr. P.H. Manatunge, Dr. Sydney Premathirathne, Dr. K. Nadesan, Dr. S.M. Colombage

31.07.1992- 01.10.1993 – Mr. Mervyn St. S. Casie Chetty, Senior Attorney at Law

Mr. Mervyn Casie Chetty presided over the Society during this period.

Mr. Casie Chetty was a member of the well-known family of the Colombo Chetty Community and served the Bar for over 62 years. He became a member of the Society at the re-inaugural meeting held on 8 February, 1966 and took a keen interest in its activities. He compiled the history of the the Society for publication in its Golden Jubilee Souvenir. He was a member of the Bar Council, member of the Disciplinary Panel of the Bar Association, and Vice Chairman of the Compensation Tribunal. He represented the country at Law Asia conferences, and was a member of the World Peace Council. He made a name for himself as a social activist, rationalist and as a celebrated poet He was the great grandson of the linguist, judge and author Simon Casie Chetty.

Council Meetings held : 12 in 1992/93.

Membership

Enrolments : 1992 – 12; 1993 - 08

Inaugural Medico-Legal Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
04.09.1992	Medicine, Morality and Law	Justice C.G. Weeramantry – retired Supreme Court Judge and Prof. of Law, Monash University

Second Medico-Legal Oration

14.09.1993

Psychiatry and the Law – Sentencing Offenders , The Compulsion of Voluntary Treatment

Prof. Richard D. Fox, Prof. Of Law, Monash University, Australia

The Scientific Sessions

Date	Chief Guest	Plenary Sessions
26.03.1993 27.03.1993	Hon. Tyrone Fernando M.P. P.C. Minister of Legal &Prison Reforms	Mr. Tilak Marapana, P..C. Hon. Attorney General , Mr. P.H. Manatunge, Mr. M.M. Gunaratne, Dr. K. Nadesan

Lecture

Date	Topic	Resource Person
09.07.1993	Canadian, Australian, and British Experiences of a Forensic Pathologist	Prof. Derrick Pounder

Incorporation of the Society

It was during this period that the Society was incorporated by The Medico-Legal Society of Sri Lanka (Incorporation) Act of Parliament No. 37 of 1993. The general objects of the Society are outlined at Section 3 of the Act, as follows:

(a) the furtherance of the place of medicine and other allied sciences, in the administration of justice;

(b) the promotion and dissemination of Medico-Legal knowledge in all its aspects ;

(c) the holding of meetings, seminars and symposia at which research papers may be discussed for the furtherance of the aforesaid objects of the Corporation ;

(d) the promotion of international exchanges of trained personnel and' the organization and holding of congress ; and

(e) the seeking of support and assistance from the Government, both local and international associations and well wishers in matters relating to the objects of the Corporation ; and

(f) collaborating with the Government or with any governmental or local authority or any authority in Sri Lanka or elsewhere in any project or undertaking relating to the aforesaid objects

4^th Congress - Indo-Pacific Association of Law, Medicine and Science (INPALMS)

The 4^th Congress was held in Bangkok, Thailand from 02 to 06 November, 1992 and it was chaired by Dr. Tasana Suwanjutha.

There were 240 particpants from 21 countries including 91 from the host country.

The Sessions included 6 Plenary Lectures, 10 Symposia, 5 Prime Lectures, 113 Free Papers and 15 Poster Presentations.

A delegation from Sri Lanka attended the Congress . At the General meeting of INPALMS held at the Central Plaza Hotel in Bangkok on 04.11.1992, the following members of the Society were elected to the Executive Committee and Council of INPALMS for the next three years:

Prof. M.S.L. Salgado – President; Mr. Daya Perera P.C. – Vice President; Mr. P.H. Manatunge – Vice President; Dr. S. M. Colombage – Hony. Treasurer; Mr. A.R.L. Wijesekera – Council Member.

Others in the delegation were: Dr. L. Weerasena, Mr. Kosala Wijeyatilleke P.C., Mr. Donald Mendis, Mr. Dulinda Weerasuriya, Mr. D.M.U.J. Abeysinghe.

Presentations were made by the following:

Prof. M.S.L. Salgado – Forensic Aspects of Terrorism in Sri Lanka

Mr. P.H. Manatunge – Recent Trends in Passport Forgeries in Sri Lanka

Mr. A.R.L. Wijesekera – Studies on the Degradation of Heroin

Dr. S.M. Colombage – An Unusual Case of Paraquat Poisoning

Mr. Donald Mendis – The Legal Concept of “Controlled Delivery” in Drug Law Enforcement

01.10.1993-29.03.1996 - Mr. Kosala Wijayatilake , President’s Counsel

Mr. Kosala Wijayatilake P.C. presided over the Society during this period. Mr. Wijayatilake, a graduate of the University of Peradeniya and an Attorney at Law joined the Attorney General’s Department in 1969. As Crown Counsel and later as State Counsel he prosecuted in the Assizes and later in the High Courts in Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Ratnapura and Gampaha . He later joined the chambers of Mr. Daya Perera, P.C. at the latter’s request and appeared with him in some of the most sensational cases of the time. In 1989 Mr. Perera was appointed Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and at that stage Mr. Wijayatilake was called upon to handle nearly 75 of his briefs. Mr. Wijayatilake took silk whilst at the Unofficial Bar.

Council Meetings held : 08 in 1993/94; 08 in 1994/95; 11 in 1995/96.

Membership

Enrolments 1993-01; 1994-06; 1995-15; 1996-02

Activities

Dr. W.D.L. Fernando Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
21.01.1994	Forensic Science – the Past, Present & Future	Mr. A.R.L. Wijesekera
01.12.1995	Forensic Aspects of Ethnic, Terrorist & Political Violence in Sri Lanka	Prof. M.S.L. Salgado

The Medico-Legal Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
08.07. 1994	Death has thousand doors – Investigation of Sudden and Suspicious Deaths	Prof. M.A.Green , Professor of Forensic Pathology, University of Sheffield, U.K.
07.07.1995	The Role of the Medical Practitioner in Society	Prof. Petejr Venezis, Regius Professor, and Head of Dept. of Forensic Medicine and Science, University of Glasgow

The Scientific Sessions

Date	Chief Guest	Plenary Sessions
25.06.1994	Hon. Harold Herath M.P. Minister of Justice – Chief Guest Keynote Address: Hon. Justice Sarath N. Silva, President, Court of Appeal	Mr. Daya Perera P.C., Mr.K.A. Jegatheeswaran, Mr. J.D.M. Ariyasinghe, Prof. N. Chandrasiri
28.10.1995	Hon. G.R.T.D. Bandaranayake Judge of the Supreme Court – Chief Guest	Prof. Ravindra Fernando, Mr. Upawansa Yapa P.C., Mr. W.D.G.S. Gunatilleke, Mr. Gamini Gunawardena

Symposium

Date	Topic	Resource Persons
13.05.1994	Medical Negligence	Prof. G.L.Peiris, Mr. Romesh de Silva P.C., Prof. M.S.L. Salgado, Dr. P.R. Anthonis

This symposium was attended by a capacity crowd of 300 persons and generated much interest.

Fixed Deposit of the Society

The finances of the Society improved considerably owing to a fixed deposit being placed on behalf of the Society out of the profits of the Indo Pacific Congress held in 1986.

Symbol of the Society

The design for the symbol of the Society provided by Mr. Lalith Jayawickrema was approved with the modification made so as to remove the sharp points at the ends , at the meeting held on 18.03.1994.

Centre for Professionals

The idea of establishing a Centre for Professionals also emerged during this period but could not be followed up due to a change in the government.

Newsletter

The Newsletter of the Society was published for the first time and the Society Emblem/Symbol was also turned out during this period.

5^th Congress - Indo-Pacific Association of Law, Medicine and Science (INPALMS)

The 5^th Congress was held in Bali, Indonesia from 16 to 20 July, 1995 and it was chaired by Dr. Wibisana Widiatmaka Lucas.

There were 159 participants from 21 countries including 39 from the host country.

The Sessions included 8 Plenary Lectures, 6 Symposia, 60 Free Papers and 34 Poster Presentations.

A delegation comprising 13 members and 08 accompanying persons from the Society participated at the 5^th Congress.The Sri Lankan delegation was the largest group from any country that participated at the 5^th Congress.

Symposium

Dr. M.S.L. Salgado chaired the Symposium on Teaching in the Forensic Field. The following presentations were made by Dr. K. Nadesan :

Medical Ethics and Unrelated Kidney Donor Programme

Forensic Medicine - The Present State of the Speciality

The following members were elected to the Executive Committee and Council of INPALMS for the next three years with Professor Salgado as its President:

Prof. M.S.L. Salgado – President; Mr. Daya Perera P.C. – Vice President; Mr. A.R.L. Wijesekera – Council Member; Dr. K. Nadesan – Vice President; Dr. S.M. Colombage – Treasurer.

Board of Study in Forensic Medicine – Post Graduate Institute of Medicine

The following members were nominated to serve as members of the Board of Study in Forensic Medicine of the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine at a meeting held on 24.03.1995:

Prof. M.S.L. Salgado, Dr. L.B.L. de Alwis, Dr. K. Nadesan, Dr. S.M. Colombage, Mr. P.H. Mantunge, Mr. A.R.L. Wijesekera.

Amendment of Section 17 of the Constitution

At the Annual General Meeting held on 06.01.1995, membership fees were increased as follows:

Life Membership from Rs. 350/- to Rs. 500/-

Ordinary membership from Rs. 25/- to Rs. 50/-

Student Membership from Rs. 10/- to Rs. 25/-.

29.03.1996 – 07.11.1997 - Mr. J.D.M.Ariyasinghe, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police

Mr. J.D.M. Ariyasinghe presided over the Society during this period. He had the distinction of being the first Police Officer to be elected President of the Society. He joined the Police as a Probationary ASP in May 1961, was promoted to the rank of Superintendent in January 1972 and assumed duties in the Northern Province in October 1972. He and his team captured two of the suspects trained by V. Prabhakaran to kill former Jaffna mayor Alfred Duraiyappah, searched Prabhakaran’s home on August 2 1975 and found incriminating evidence, relevant to the murder, though Prabhakaran escaped to India. He held a number of responsible positions in the Department and retired as Senior DIG (Intelligence & Security) on 20 July 1997.

Council meetings held : 15 in 1996/97.

Membership

Enrolments : 1996 – 11; 1997 - 08

Activities

Dr. W.D.L. Fernando Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
08.11.1996	Patient’s Rights and Professional Responsibility	Prof. Savithri Goonesekera

The Medico-Legal Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
13.11.1996	Forensic Science in Crime and Punishment	Deshamanya Neville Kanakaratne, Governor of the Southern Province
11 .07.1997	Forensic Medicine &Human Rights - From Nuremberg to the present day	Prof. Stephen Cordner, Prof. of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

The Scientific Sessions

Date	Chief Guest	Plenary Sessions
09.11.1996	Hon. P. Ramanathan, Judge of the Supreme Court, Chief Guest Keynote Address: Hon. Justice Priyantha Perera	Prof. N. Kodagoda, Prof. K. Nadesan, Dr. R.A.D. Kumarawickrema

Seminar

Date	Topic	Resource Persons
16.08.1996	Abuse of Women – Problems and Remedies	Mrs. Dhara Wijayatilleke, Dr. Deepika Udugama, Prof. Savithri Goonesekera, Prof. Nandadasa Kodagoda

This seminar was considered to be one of the most successful seminars organized by the Society. It was chaired by Mr. Upawansa Yapa P.C.

Other activities included the following:

Regional Seminar

A regional seminar was held at the District Court , Matara on 19 October, 1996 at the invitation of the Bar Association of Matara .The Resource Persons were Mr. P.H. Manatunge, Dr.(Mrs) Jean Perera, and Mr. Abeyratne from the Office of the Registrar of Finger Prints. Over 30 members of the Bar were present and it was a successful event.

Joint Meeting

A Joint Meeting with the College of General Practitioners was held on 20.12.1996 on “Sudden Death in a GP’s Practice” and the Society was represented by Mr. Upawansa Yapa P.C.

Amendment of Section 311 of the Penal Code

At a meeting held on 22.07.1996, Prof. M.S. L. Salgado placed on record that that the recommendations of the Society had been accepted in the recent amendment of Section 311 of the Penal Code.

14^th meeting of the International Association of Forensic Science held in Tokyo, Japan

Prof. M.S.L. Salgado and Dr. Lakshman Weerasena represented the Society at this meeting.

Radio Discussion on “Steps to be followed after a Sudden Death”

Dr. S.M. Colombage participated in the Radio Discussion which was broadcast on 08.01.1997.

07.11.1997-02.03.2001 – Mr. P.H. Manatunge, Government Examiner of Questioned Documents

Mr. P.H. Manatunge presided over the Society during this period. Mr. Manatunge was an Honours Graduate in Science, a Bachelor of Laws , and a Senior Attorney at Law in addition to holding his official position in the Government Analyst’s Department. He appeared in several important trials as a witness in his capacity as Examiner of Questioned Documents. After retirement he was appointed as Chairman of the newly established Sri Lanka Railway Authority in 2003. In 2015, he was appointed a member of the National Police Commission and later became its Chairman.

Council meetings held: 12 in 1997/1999; 08 in 1999/2000

Membership

Enrolments : 1997 – 02; 1998 – 22; 1999 – 21; 2000 – 23; 2001 - 22

Activities

Dr. W.D.L. Fernando Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
29.10.1999	Human Rights &the Medical Profession	Mr. R.K.W. Goonesekera

The Medico-Legal Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
02.10.1998	Forensic Investigations into the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi	Prof. P. Chandra Sekharan , Prof. of Forensic Science, National Law School of India, University, Bangalore

The Scientific Sessions

Date	Chief Guest	Plenary Sessions
29.11.1997	Hon. L. H. G. Weerasekera President - Court of Appeal	Mrs. Shiranee Tilakawardena, Dr. L. Weerasena, Mr. N. Thangaratnavel, Mr. S.B.W. de Silva
07.11.1998	Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva	Mr. Ranjith Abeysuriya P.C. , Dr. Prinath Dias, Mr. H.M. G.B. Kotakadeniya, Dr. B. Waidyasekera
13.11.1999	Deshamanya Dr. P.R.Anthonis Chancellor, University of Colombo	Dr. L.B.L. de Alwis, Prof. Manthri S. Ramasamy, Mr. C.R.de Silva P.C. Prof. Dinesh Mohan (IIT, India)
18.11. 2000	Mr.K.C.Kamalasabayson P.C. Hon. Attorney General – Chief Guest	Dr. Rohan Perera, Mr. Palitha Fernando, Mr. Camillus Abeygoonewardena, Prof. K. Nadesan

Lecture

Date	Topic	Resource Person
24.03.2000	Investigation of Hidden Homicide – Western Australian Experience	Dr. C.T. Cooke, Director, Dept. of Forensic Medicine and Biology , Chief Forensic Biologist , Western Australia

Seminar

Date	Topic	Resource Persons
09.06.2000	Tracking the criminal with DNA Evidence	Dr. Maiya Gunasekera, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Chamistry, Mr. Palitha Fernando, Deputy Solicitor General

Symposia

Date	Topic	Resource Persons
21.02.1998	Ragging	Dr. L.B.L. de Alwis, Dr. E.K. Rodrigo, Prof. S.T. Hettige, Mr. D.P. Kumarasinghe P.C.
07.07.2000	What is the exact Time of Death ?	Prof. A.S. Sheriffdeen, Dr. J.B.Peiris, Mr. D.P. Kumarasinghe P.C

Revision of the Rules of the Society

Arising out of the incorporation of the Society by Act of Parliament No.37 of 1993, it became necessary to revise the Rules of the Society, and a Sub Committee consisting of Mr. P.H. Manatunge, Mr. Douglas Wijeratne, Mr. Palitha Fernando and Mr. R.A.D. Kumarawickrema was appointed on 01.06.1999 and thay undertook the task with the assistance of officers from the Legal Draftsman’s Dept. The revision of the Rules included a revision of the Membership Fees and the proposed revision was approved at the Annual General Meeting held on 24.09.1999. The accounts of the Society were also brought up to date .

Amendment of the Constitution

A proposal was also made to amend the rules to include a description of the Emblem, Flag and Mace of the Society.

6^th Congress - Indo-Pacific Association of Law, Medicine and Science (INPALMS)

The 6^th Congress was held in Kobe, Japan from 26 to 30 July, 1998 and it was chaired by Prof. Yoshitsugu Tatsumo.

There were 529 participants from 34 countries including 413 from the host country.

The Sessions included 2 Plenary Lectures, 3 Symposia, 2 Special Lectures, 125 Oral Presentations and 185 Poster Presentations

21 representatives from the Society participated at this Conference and made a tremendous impact. The presentation made by Dr. L. Weerasena on “Present Situation of Aids in Sri Lanka and Preventive Aspects of the Spread of HIV Infection” was adjudged one of five best presentations.

Mr. P.H. Manatunge, Dr. L. Weerasena and Mr. Daya Perera P.C. were elected as Vice President, Hony Treasurer and Council member respectively.

The outgoing President of INPALMS, Prof. M.S.L. Salgado brought honour to the Society during the period 1992 – 1998 when he functioned as the President of the Indo-Pacific Association of Law, Medicine and Science (INPALMS).

Board of Study of the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine

Prof. M.S.L. Salgado was nominated to the Board of Study on 28.01.2000

02.03.2001 – 25.07.2003 -Hon. Sarath N. Silva, P.C., Chief Justice

Hon. Sarath N. Silva LLM (Brussels) P.C. presided over the Society during the period he functioned as the Chief Justice. He was admitted as an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in June 1967 and joined the Attorney General's department in 1968 as a Crown Counsel. He was promoted as Senior State Counsel in 1975, as Deputy Solicitor-General in 1979 and appointed as a Judge of the Court of Appeal in 1987. He later became the President of the Court of Appeal in 1994 and served as Attorney General from 1996 to 1999, when he was appointed as the Chief Justice. He retired in 2009.

Council meetings held : 08 in 2001/2002; 05 in 2002/2003

Membership

Enrolments : 2001 – 08; 2002 – 06; 2003 - 02

Activities

Dr. W.D.L. Fernando Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
01.06.2001	The Doctor as a Medical Witness	Mr. Daya Perera
30.05.2003	Victims of Violence	Prof. K. Nadesan, Consultant Forensic Pathologist and Forensic Physician, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaysia

The Medico-Legal Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
27.07.2001	Crime Scene Investigation. The Pathologist’s Role	Prof. Jack Crane , State Pathologist, Institute of Forensic Medicine, , Queens University of Belfast and Northern Ireland
09.08.2002	Human Rights, Torture and Death in Custody in Sri Lanka	Prof. Ravindra Fernando, Prof. of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology and Director, Centre for the Study of Human Rights, University of Colombo

The Scientific Sessions

Date	Chief Guest	Plenary Sessions
10.11. 2001	Prof.R.G.Panabokke, Chancellor, University of Peradeniya	Mr. M.L.M. Ameen P.C. Dr.Ananda Samarasekera, Mr.Asoka Wijetilleke, Mr.C.D.Kalupahana
23.11.2002	Prof. Lalitha Mendis, Director, Post Graduate Institute of Medicine	Prof. Harsha Seneviratne, Mr. Sarath Jayamanne, Prof. Malkanthi Chandrasekera, Dr. Saman Bandara,

Guest Lecture

Date	Topic	Resource Person
19.03.2003	Ethico-Legal Issues in Assisted Reproduction: International Experience	Dr. Simon Fishel, , Managing Director, Centre for Assisted Reproduction, UK

Inquest Proceedings and Crime Scene Investigation

The Society focused its efforts in engaging in a collective study and the preparation of a comprehensive report with specific guidelines with regard to crime scene investigation, coordination of the respective professional inputs to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the investigations, the procedure at the inquests, arriving at a uniformity regarding the documentation on the registration of deaths, elimination of delays and adducing evidence at criminal trials. The Sub Committee appointed for this purpose consisted of Justice Shiranee Thilakwardena, Mr. Daya Perera P.C., Dr. L. Weerasena, Mr. Chandra Fernando, Mr. M. I. M. Ameen P.C. Dr. M.I.M. Ameen P.C., Dr. Ananda Samarasekera, Mr. Edward Ahangama , Dr. Jean Perera, and Mr. Palitha Fernando. The report submitted by the Sub Committee was adopted by the Council, and on 5 July 2002 Justice Thilakawardena made a presentation to senior officials involved in the enforcement of criminal. justice at the Official Residence of the Chief Justice.

The Ministry of Interior Affairs and the Department of Police organized a function in connection with the presentation of the said report prepared by the Society on “Towards a more efficient and effective system of criminal investigation”. The presentation was made by Justice Shiranee Thilakawardena on 10.09.2002.

Training Programme for Law Enforcement Officers

A Training Programme for Law Enforcement Officers organized by a Sub Committee headed by Justice Thilakawardena by way of Workshops conducted in Colombo for Police Officers and Magistrates on Effective Enforcement of the Criminal Justice System was a great success. Later, the Training Programme was conducted in Ragama for Judicial Medical Officers, Judicial Officers and Police Officers.

7^th Congress - Indo-Pacific Association of Law, Medicine and Science (INPALMS)

The 7^th Congress was held in Melbourne, Australia from 16 to 21 September, 2001 and was chaired by Prof. Stephen Cordner.

There were 584 participants from 40 countries including 343 from the host country.

The Sessios included 4 Plenary Lectures, 12 Minor Plenaries, 184 Free Papers and 86 Poster Presentations.

Representatives from 40 countries attended the Congress and presented research papers on a wide array of scientific and legal subjects.

11 members and 07 accompanying persons attended the 7^th Indo-Pacific Congress in Melbourne.

Mr. Hemachandra Manatunge and Prof. Ravindra Fernando functioned as Co-Chairmen of the Forensic Science Techniques Sessions and Human Rights Sessions respectively.

The following were appointed to the Executive Committee and Council of the Congress for the next three years: Prof. M.S.L. Salgado, Past President, Mr. Hemachandra Mantunge, Vice President, Dr. Lakshman Weerasena, Treasurer, and Mr. Daya Perera P.C. Council Member.

Oral Presentations were made by the following:

Mr. C.D. Kalupahana and Mr. J.M.R. Jayasundera- Current Trends in Passport Forgeries in Sri Lanka

Prof. Ravindra Fernando - Deficiencies in the English Coroner System as practised in a former English Colony.

D. Abeysinghe, D. Wijesekera, A. Abeysekera – Cannabis-Its Use and Abuse

Prof. Ravindra Fernando – Pesticide Poisoning- A grave Medical Problem

25.07.2003 – 29.07.2005 – Dr. Lakshman Weerasena, General Medical Practitioner

Dr. Lakshman Weerasena presided over the Society during this period. He has the distinction of being the only General Practitioner to be appointed as the President of the Society. Having graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo in 1968 , he followed post graduate courses in both the UK and the USA. He also specialized in Aviation Medicine. He was President of the Independent Medical Practitioners’ Association from 1991 to 1993,and initiated the concept of taking healthcare to the doorstep of the poor, holding health camps in remote areas of the country, including the north and east. He has held over 400 free health camps.

Council meetings held : 07 in 2003/2004; 07 in 2004/2005.

Membership

Enrolments : 2003 – 12; 2004 – 32; 2005 - 05

Activities

The Medico-Legal Society Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
17.11.2004	Mass Deaths in former Yugoslavia and Iraq : Justice and Humanitarian Approach	Prof. Stephen Cordner- Prof. of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Director, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine

The Scientific Sessions

Date	Chief Guest	Plenary Sessions
.11.2003	Mr. Ranjit Abeysuriya P.C.	Prof. John Hilton , Associate Prof. of Forensic Medicine, Sydney, Australia
20.11.2004	Mr. Upawansa Yapa , P.C.	Dr. Mrs. Jean Perera, Mr.Asoka Wijetilleke, Mrs. Sakuntala Tennakoon, Mr. Harsha Fernando

Seminar

Date	Topic	Resource Persons
	Implementation of the Death Penalty	Mr. C.R. de Silva, Prof. Ravindra Fernando, Mr.Ranjith Abeysuriya

Workshop on Road Safety

The Society also organized an extremely successful Workshop on the topic of Road Safety in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Police. Professor Dinesh Mohan of the Transportation Research and Injury Prevention Programme of the Indian Institute of Technology delivered the keynote address. Two groups consisting of policy makers and law enforcement officers in respect of road safety deliberated upon the important issues related to road safety and presented two papers at the workshop.

The Training Programme for Law Enforcement Officers

The Training Programme for Law Enforcement Officers, which commenced earlier was continued in the outstations and was held in Bandarawela, and Anuradhapura.

Delays at the Government Analyst’s Dept

Delays at the Government Analyst’s Dept. were a topic frequently discussed at Council meetings and Justice Shiranee Thilakwardena suggested the setting up of a mobile unit in the Dept. to deal with bottlenecks. The Council initiated a feasibility study of this project and although a report was presented, no further action was taken as the Ministry of Justice had decided to decentralize activities in the Department as a remedial measure.

8^th Congress - Indo-Pacific Association of Law, Medicine and Science (INPALMS)

The 8^th Congress was held in Manila, Phillipines from 19 to 24 September, 2004 and was chaired by Dr. Teresita Sanchez.

There were ........ participants from ....... countries including ........ from the host country. The Sessions included 14 Plenary Lectures, 10 Symposia, 25 Oral Presentations, 25 Free Papers and 5 Case Reports.

The Congress was held at the Manila Hotel, Manila under the theme “Challenges Facing the Forensic Practitioner in the 21^st Century”. Dr. Teresita R. Sanchez MD, LLB chaired the Congress and the Keynote Speaker was Hon. Hilario Davide, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Phillipines.

The following members of the Medico-Legal Society formed part of the Leadership Team of INPALMS Officers: Prof. M.S.L. Salgado – Past President, Mr. P.H. Manatunge – Vice-President, Dr. L.L. Weerasena – Treasurer, Mr. Daya Perera- Council Member.

Sri Lankan Awardees at the Congress were as follows:

Prof. M.S.L. Salgado for his role in the Foundation of INPAMS, as President from 1992 – 1995 , and for editing the Newsletter and History Book.

Dr. Senarath Colombage for his role as Honorary Treasurer from 1992 – 1998.

Dr. Lakshman Weerasena for his continuing role as Treasurer from 1998.

Mr. Daya Perera earned a Special Award for having distinguished himself in the local arena thus bringing honour to INPALMS of which he was a member and an active participant.

Plenary Speakers:

Dr. Senarath M. Colombage – Bomb Explosions in Sri Lanka

Dr. K. Nadesan- Why a Clinical Examination of the Injured

Dr. Lakshman L. Weerasena – Rape and Incest in Rural Sri Lanka

Panel Members on Missing Persons

Dr. Rohan Ruwanpura was a member of the Foreign Panel .

Voluntary Papers for Oral Presentation

Dr. A. Samarasekera – Identification of a Suicide Bomber

Venue for 9^th Indo-Pacific Congress

Sri Lanka was afforded the opportunity of hosting of the 9^th Indo-Pacific Congress in 2007.

29.07.2005 – 30.11.2007 – Mr. Chandra Fernando – Inspector General of Police

Mr. Chandra Fernando, BA (Vidyodaya), LLB (OUSL) presided over the Society during the period he held the post of Inspector General of Police. He joined the Ceylon Police Force as a Probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1971. and was promoted as Deputy Inspector General of Police in 1991.. He was appointed as the Inspector-General of Police in October 2004 and held the post until he retired in October 2006

Council Meetings held: 11 in 2005/6; 11 in 2006/7

Membership

Enrolments : 2005 – 05; 2006 – 16; 2007 - 01

Activities

Dr. W.D. L. Fernando Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
19.05.2006	Road Accidents and Homicides in Sri Lanka – Causes and Remedies	Dr. S.M. Colombage
23.07.2007	The Role of the Medical Examiner in the American Criminal Justice System	Dr. Kanthi de Alwis, Chief Medical Examiner, City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

9^th Congress - Indo-Pacific Association of Law, Medicine and Science (INPALMS)

The 9^th Congress was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 22 to 27 July 2007 and was chaired by Mr. Chandra Fernando.

One hundred and three (103) foreign delegates from thirty eight (38) countries and One hundred and sixty five (165) Sri Lanka delegates participated at the Congress.

The Sessions included 8 Plenary Lectures, 7 Symposia, 102 Free Papers and 90 Poster Presentations.

The organization of the 9^th Congress in Colombo was one of the major activities undertaken during this period. It was held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel and was considered a major success, which brought recognition and honour to the Society and credit to all those involved in organizing it. The Society earned a profit of Rs. 4.1 million.

Several symposia and workshops were held during the Congress, on a wide variety of subjects. Over two hundred (200) papers were presented. Several social and cultural activities were conducted mainly for the foreign delegates and their accompanying persons.

Mr. Chandra Fernando, Chairman of INPALMS 2007 delivered the Welcome Address, while Prof. Stephen Cordner addressed the delegates in his capacity as President of INPALMS. Hon. Rohita Bogollagama, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chief Guest also addressed the delegates. Mr. S.B.W. de Silva, Secretary General INPALMS 2007 delivered the Vote of Thanks .

Dr. W.D.L. Fernando Memorial Oration 2007 was also held in the evening of the first day of the Congress and was delivered by Dr. Kanthi de Alwis, Chief Medical Examiner, City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

A Post Congress organized by Dr. Jayanie Weeratne was also held at the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya with the participation of several visiting Professors and was conducted by six resource personnel from UK and Australia.

The following contributions made by Sri Lankans:

Plenary Session

C. R. de Silva – Criminal Justice for Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

Symposia

Terrorist Bombings in Sri Lanka

S. Gunasekera ; W.D.G.S. Gunatilleke (2) ; W.M.A.S. Jayasena; A.Welianga, W.D.G.S. Gunatilleke

Y. Kodagoda

Istanbul Protocol on Torture

R. Fernando, C. Weliamuna

Terrorism –Local and Global

Asoka Wijetilleke, Nimal Leuke, M.S.L. Salgado, Yasantha Kodagoda

Medical & Social Response to Aftermath of Tsunami

P.R. Ruwanpura,S. Herath, M. Vidanapathirana, N. Perera, D. Samarawickrema

Forensic Aspects of the Missing in Post Conflict and Post Disiaster Scenarios

C. Perera,

Odontology

M. Chandrasekera

Child Abuse : Medical, legal, & Ethical Aspects

K. Nadesan

A. Samarasekera

Free Paper Sessions

Forensic Pathology - 1

R. Fernando; A.Dayapala, H.P. Wijewardena, B.J. Weerasundara; K.A.S. Kodikara

P.A.S. Edirisinghe, I.D.G. Kitulwatte, L.B.L. de Alwis

Toxicology

D.M.G. Fernando; S. Tennakoon, K.A.P.B. Perera, R.R.J. Perera;

S. Tennakoon, M.G.S.A. Wimalasena, K.A.P.B. Perera, L.S. Haturusinghe, U.S.S. Udugampola

S. Tennakoon, W.D.V. Karunaratne, U.S.S. Udugampola

Investigation and Prosecution in Cases of Torture

C. Perera, A. Verghese; D. Jayakody; D. Ratnayake; D.L. Waidyaratne

Examination of Questioned Documents

J.M.R. Jayasundara, C.D. Kalupahana; C.D. Kalupahana; K.K. Apsara, C.D. Kalupahana

Healthcare Systems and Administration

T.A.C. Piyaratne, A. Munasinghe, D.H. Edussuriya, I. Gooneratne; B.P.P. Perera, R. Herath

Disaster Victim Identification &Crime Scene Investigation

B.P.P.Perera, P.A.S. Edirisinghe, W.N.S.Perera, I.D.G. Kitulwatte, Y.M.G. Illangaratna

P.A.S. Edirisinghe, B.P.P.Perera, I.D.G. Kitulwatte, Y.M.G. Illangaratna, S. Wickramaarachchi, S. Fernando

P.R. Ruwanpura, M. vidanapathirana, R.S. Nayakkara

Forensic Pathology – II

J.C. Herath, S.M.Phillips, A.T. Balachandra; M. Sivasubramnaiam, K.A.S. Kodikara

W.N.S. Perera, P.A.S. Edirisinghe, I.D.G. Kitulwatte, B.P.P. Perera

S.R. Hulathuduwa, S.M. Colomabage, P.A.P. Perera, M.R. Perera

L.B.M. Fernando, C.G. Hewage

Miscelleneous – I

P.G. Madawala, W.D.G.S. Gunatilleke; M.K. Karunaratne, W.D.G.S. Gunatilleke; H. de Silva

Forensic Aspects of DNA

J.C.P. Anuruddha, K.B.A.T. Bandara, H.A.C. Hapuarachchi, M.Y.D. Dayanath, H.A. Sirisena, W. Abeywick

N.D. Fernandopulle; S. de Silva

Undergraduate &Post Graduate Training in Forensic Medicine

N.L. Abeyasinghe; H.J.M. Perera

B.P.P. Perera R. Herath, P.A.S. Edirisinghe, W.N.S. Perera, I.D.G. Kitulwatte

Medical Law &Ethics

A.Samarasekera; A.Jayasena

Forensic Anthropology for Identification

C. Perera; A.I. Gooneratne, M.A.M. Munasinghe, D.C. Wickramarachchi

Traffic Injuries and Driving Ability –Medical and Legal Aspects

J.C. Herath, A.T. Balachandra; A.n. Vadysinghe, S.M. Colambage, T.A.C.L. Piyaratne;

C. Wijebandara; P.A.S. Edirisinghe, L.B.L. de Alwis

Forensic Pathology – III

B.J. weerasundara, R. Fernando; D.L. Waidyaratne, K.H.R. Wijayawardena; S.M.H.M.K. Senanayake

I.D.G. Kitulwatte, P.A.S. Edirisinghe, B.P.P. Perera, L.B.L. de Alwis

Forensic Psychiatry

C.G. Hewage; P.A.S. Edirisinghe, W.N.S. Perera, I.D.G. Kitulwatte, S. Fernando; A.H. de Silva

Forensic Odontology

R.A.S.K. Ranasinghe, M. Chandrasekera, A. Samarasekera, A. Pathmeswaran; Weeratne J.B.

Domestic Violence

M. Vidanapathirana, S.A. Gunawardena, J. Jayasuriya, S. Thurairaja;

Miscellaneous

J.C. Herath, A.T. Balachandra; R.Illeperuma; G. Wakishta Arachchi; N. Marasinghe; S. Dissanayake

J. Bandara

Poster Presentations

A.N. Vadysinghe; P.A.S. Edirisignhe, I.D.G. Kitulwatte (2); K.A.S. Kodikara (2)

R.A.S.K. Ranasinghe, C. Perera, P.R. Ruwanpura, M.A.S. Jayasena; M. Vidnapathirana, W. Wagasenevi

M. Vidanapathirana, S.K. Lelwalahetti; A.I. Gooneratne, M.A.M. Munasinghe, D.C. Wickramaarachci

D.L. Waidyaratne; A.I. Gooneratne, K.A.S. Kodikara, T.A.C.L. Piyaratne; P.A.S. Edirisinghe

P.A.S. Edirisinghe, B.P.P. Perera; I.D.G.Kitulwatte; B.P.P. Perera, A. Pathmeswaran

R.A.S.K. Ranasinghe, G.K.K. Gunatilleke, A. Wijewickrema, N.Abeyawickrema

M. Vidanapathirana, A. Rathnaweera, A.S. Lelwalahetti, W. Wagasenevi, J.K.V. Jayasinghe,W. Wijeratne

30.11.2007 – 18.12. 2009 – Mr. Palitha Fernando, P.C., Deputy Solicitor General

Mr. Palitha Fernando P.C. LLB (Colombo), LLM (Colombo), LLM (Bristol) presided over the Society during this period. He served the Attorney General’s Department from 1980 to 2014 and prosecuted in several major criminal cases. He was appointed DEputy Solicitor General in 1997, Solicitor General in 2011, acting Attorney General in July, 2011 and Attorney General in June 2012. He retired in 2014.He also held the post of Judge Advocate in the Sri Lanka Navy

Council meetings held: 09 in 2007/8; 07 in 2008/9

Membership

Enrolments : 2007 – 02; 2008 – 72; 2009 - 05

Activities

Dr. W.D.L. Fernando Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
10.07.2009	Murder of a Judge – Ambepitiya Murder Trial	Justice Shiranee Thilakawardena

The Medico-Legal Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
18.12. 2007	Globalization of Forensic Medicine	Dr. Michael Pollanen, Chief Forensic Pathologist, Province of Ontario, Canada
27.11.2009	The Case of Dr. Shipman	Prof. Derek Pounder, Dundee University, Scotland

The Scientific Sessions

Date	Chief Guest	Plenary Sessions
20.09.2008	Dr. L.B.L. de Alwis
26.09.2009	Mohan Peiris P.C. Attorney General	T. Walaliyadda P.C., Dr A. Tennekoon, Mr. P. G. Madawela, Mr. Asoka Wijetilleke

Newsletter

On the initiative of the President of the Society, publishing of the Newsletter on a regular basis was undertaken and the President compiled it himself. 4 Newsletters were issued during the period 2007/2009.

Training Programme for Law Enforcement Officers on Elimination of Gender-based Violence

The Training Programme for Law Enforcement Officers, organized by Justice Thilakwardena was a huge success.

The Training Programmes were held in association with the Judges Training Institute and and the Ministry of Justice. Women in Need (WIN) and Action Aid International provided technical assistance and financial support.

The following workshops were held during the period 2008/2009:

• 13-14 September, 2008 at Galle for Officers in the Southern Province

• 5 October, 2008 at Habarana for officers in the Eastern Province

Dr. Ananda Samarasekera and Mr. Sarath Jayamanne were the Resource Persons

• 23-25 January 2009 at Earle’s Regency, Kandy with in-house accommodation.

35 Police Officers from the Central Range, 23 Magistrates, District Judges and Additional District Judges of the Central Judicial Zone and 11 JMO’s from Kandy/Matale participated.

Dr. Ananda Samarasekera, Chief Consultant JMO, ILMT Colombo, and Mr. Asoka Wijetillake, DIG were the Resource Persons and Mr. Rohantha Abeysuriya co-ordinated the programme. Mr. Pujitha Jayasundara DIG also contributed to the success of the programme.

• 2 day workshop at Taj Exotica, Bentota with in-house accommodation

50 Police Officers from the Western Province, 30 Magistrates from the Western, Northern and Eastern Provinces, and 12 JMO’s from the Western Province participated.

Dr. Ananda Samarasekera, Chief Consultant JMO, ILMT Colombo, and Mr. Asoka Wijetillake, DIG were the Resource Persons and Mr. Rohantha Abeysuriya co-ordinated the programme.

Training Programme for State Counsel/Young Prosecutors

A Training Programme for young prosecutors was conducted on 4 consecutive week-ends commencing from 1 March 2009, Twenty State Counsel of the Attorney General’s Department prosecuting in the various High Courts participated in the programme. The programme covered areas such as leading evidence of a Forensic Pathologist, the Govt. Analyst, the Examiner of Questioned Documents, the Registrar of Finger Prints, DNA evidence and Forensic Odontology. At the end of each session, a demonstration on leading evidence was conducted by Senior Officers of the Attorney General’s Department.

Medico-Legal Society Guidelines on Abstract Submission at Scientific Sessions

For the first time, based on a concept by the Secretary, Dr. Edirisignhe, MLS Guidelines on Abstract Submission for the Annual Scientific Sessions were done, to uplift the quality of the free papers. The guidelines were circulated among all the members of the Society and according to the guidelines, research, case presentations and concepts on medical issues were identified as the main types of presentations. The Council also decided to make 3 awards for the Best Research Paper, Best Case Presentation and Best Concept Paper.

7^th International Symposium on Advances of Legal Medicine

Dr. Anuruddhi Edirisinghe, Dr. Ruwanpura, Dr. B.P.P. Perera, Dr. Kodikara, and Mrs. Pushpa Tennakoon attended the above Symposium organized by the Japanese Medico-Legal Society and German Legal Medicine held in Japan. Dr. Edirisinghe had been awarded the prize for the Best Photographer.

19^th Australia New Zealand Forensic Society Congress

Dr. Clifford Perera, Dr. Anuruddhi Edirisinghe, Dr. Jayanie Weeratne, Dr. R.A.S.K. Ranasinghe, Dr. Ajith Jayasena, and Dr. Wijeweera participated in the above Congress held in Melbourne, Australia from 5^th to 9^th October, 2008. Dr. Clifford Perera, Dr. Anuruddhi Edirisinghe, and Dr. Jayanie Weeratne made oral presentations while Dr. Ranasinghe made a poster presentation. In addition, Dr. Clifford Perera, Dr. Jayanie Weeratne, Dr. Ajith Jayasena and Dr. Wijeweera participated in a workshop on “Investigation and Identification of the Missing in Armed Conflict and Disasters : Increased Preparedness” held at the Victoria Institute of Forensic Medicine , Melbourne, Australia from 2^nd to 5^th October, 2008.

18.12.2009 – 20.01.2012 – Dr. Ananda Samarasekera, Consultant JMO, Colombo

Dr. Ananda Samarasekera , MD, MBBS, DLM, DMJ (London), Dip. F. M. (Glasgow) presided over the Society during the period he held the post of JMO, Colombo from 2007 to 2013. He had previously gained international experience as the head of the Forensic Section of the Department of Justice of the United National Interim Administration (UNMIK) in Kosovo, former Yugoslavia and he also worked as a Forensic Pathologist in Bosnia for the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY). He was the Vice President of the Sri Lanka Medical Council, President of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA),and President of the College of Forensic Pathologists of Sri Lanka. He also worked as the Chief JMO at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital for nearly 15 years and was associated with several well known cases.

Council Meetings held : 11 in 2010/11; 10 in 2011/12

Membership

Enrolments : 2010 – 01; 2011 – 24

Activities

Dr. W.D.L. Fernando Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
12.11.2010	Terrorist Bomb Mechanisms in Today’s Electronic Age	Mr. W.D.G.S. Gunatilleke, Addl. Govt. Analyst

The Medico-Legal Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
21.10. 2011	Success is a Funeral (Role of Forensic Odontology in the identification of victims of mass disasters)	Dr. John Robson, Chairman, British Association of Forensic Odontology

The Scientific Sessions

Date	Chief Guest	Plenary Sessions
31.07.2010	Chief Justice Asoka de Silva	M.K. Arulanandan P.C., Dr. D.L. Waidyaratne, Mr. D.H.L. Jayamanne , D.I.G. Lucky Peiris
30.07.2011	Justice Priyasad Dep	Mr. Buwaneka Aluwihare, Dr. S.M.H.M.K. Senanayake, Dr. Anoma Perera, Mr. C.N. Wakista

Symposium

Date	Topic	Resource Persons
03.12.2010	Cadaver Donor Organ Transplantation	Mr. Ajith Perera, Prof. A.H. Sheriffdeen, Dr. Ananda Samarasekera, Mr. Gihan Kulatunge Professor David Ranson from Australia

Lecture for Police Officers

Date	Topic	Resource Person
24.11.2011	Examination of Torture Victims	Prof. Duarte Nuno Vera, Prof. of Forensic Medicine, etc. University of Coimbra, Portugal

Consultative Workshop

A Consultative Workshop for Development of a National Plan for Management of Dead victims in Disaster Situations and Catastrophes was held 13 and 14 December, 2011, with the involvement of the Institute of Legal Medicine and Toxicology, Disaster Preparedness and Response Unit of the Ministry of Health and the Disaster Management Centre of the Ministry of Disaster Management.

Amendments to the Medico-Legal Examination Form (Police 20 & 20A) and Medico-Legal Report(H1135)

The Council decided to give priority to the amendment of these forms, which was a long felt need identified by medical, law enforcement and legal professions. A Sub Committee consisting of members of the Society and other relevant stakeholders was appointed. It held 7 meetings with Mr. Palitha Fernando P.C. in the chair during 2010. A draft of a new MLEF was submitted to the Council for consideration.

In the year 2011, the draft form was sent to the IGP for his comments and after his recommendations were received, the final draft was prepared in all 3 languages for the approval of the Council.

Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code regarding Inquests

A Sub Committee was appointed and deliberations continued during this period..

Awarding of Certificates for Best Research Paper, Concept and Case Report

The Society, for the first time in its history, introduced three awards to recognize outstanding contributions to the Scientific Sessions. The awards made were as follows:

2010

Best Research Paper: “Is Knowledge on Medico-Legal Aspect of Child Abuse adequate among Police Officers who are more than ten years' in Police Service in Central Province” - A.N. Vadysinghe, U.S.N. Ranmohottige, I.R. Weerakkody, R. Aluthgedera

Best Concept Paper: “Practical Problems related to Medico-Legal Reports” - S.M.H.M.K. Senanayake

Best Case Report: A nature's Defect and a Mother's Burden” - S.A. Gunawardena.

2011

Best Concept Paper : “Institutional Electronic Database of Autopsy Reports – Can We Do It in Sri Lanka?” - Drs. P.A.S. Edirisinghe & I.D.G. Kitulwatte

Training Programme for Law Enforcement Officers on Elimination of Gender Based Violence

A Workshop organized by Hon. Justice Shiranee Thilakawardena was held on 10 -12 September, 2010 at Triton Hotel , Ahungalla for Judges and Police Officers.45 Magistrates, 50 Police Officers and 10 JMOs participated. Dr. Ananda Samarasekera, Chief Consultant JMO and Mr. Asoka Wijetilleke were the Resource Persons. Mr. Rohantha Abeysuriya co-ordinated the programme.

10^th Congress - Indo-Pacific Association of Law, Medicine and Science (INPALMS)

The 10^th Congress was held in New Delhi, India from 25 to 30 October, 2010 and was chaired by Prof. P.K. Chattopadhay.

16 professionals from Sri Lanka participated in the 10^th Congress.

Dr. Ananda Samarasekera was re-elected as the Hon. Treasurer while Mr. Asoka Wijetilleke and Mr. W.D.G.S. Gunatilleke were elected as Vice Presidents.

Drs. Anuruddhi Edirisinghe, Buddhika Weerasundera and Jayanee Weeratne were elected as members of the Council.

Prof. M.S.L. Salgado was awarded a memento for chairing the Plenary Sessions of the 10^th INPALMS. The Indian Congress of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology conferred on him Life Time Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the advancement Forensic Medicine at international level.

Contributions made by Sri Lankan particpants were not available.

A report on the proceedings ia reproduced below:

Date: 10/30/2010

Amity University in association with collaboration with Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi and Department of Forensic Medicine, PGIMER, Chandigarh organized 10th Indo-Pacific Congress on Legal Medicine & Forensic Science, INPALMS 2010 from October 25-30, 2010 at Amity Campus, Sector-125, Noida.

INPALMS, the five day conference, brought together scientists and medico- legal experts from diverse disciplines on a common platform to discuss, deliberate and exchange ideas leading to better understanding of the subject and help establish a new World Order of Peace, Harmony and Brotherhood.

The Congress concluded with sessions by luminaries from the world of law including Hon’ble Justice Mr. Aniruddha Bose- Judge Kolkatta High Court, Mr. Shams Khwaja- Advocate and Professor, Constitutional Law Laboratory, Mr. Rajesh Tikku- Chairman, Bar Council of Delhi, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Amitava Lala- Sr. Judge, Allahabad High Court, Mr. A S Chandhiok- Sr. Advocate and Additional Solicitor General of India, Dr. R R Kishore- Advocate, Supreme Court of India and many more.

Sharing his views during the valedictory function, the Chief Guest, Justice Mr. P. V Reddy, Chairperson, Law Commission of India said “it is commendable effort on the part Amity University and its collaborators that organized Indo- Pacific Association of law, Medicine And Science (INPALMS) - a 6 day conference on Forensic Sciences which is a subject of growing importance.” Justice Reddy opined that every facet of life is linked to Science and Technology and the synergy of Biotechnology, Cyber Forensics and Information Technology is all pervasive today. It is of paramount importance to protect Human Rights and dignity and most importantly harness scientific research. Justice Reddy during his address also discussed the issues of “Dominance of generalists in medico legal work, Cases of medical negligence, Organ Transplantation and Surrogacy and recommended that Law commission must essentially strengthen the fabric of Law to protect ethical and human values.

Mr. A.S Chandhiok- Senior Advocate & Additional Solicitor General of India, during his key note address said that “Law is a legal instrument to achieve welfare of the society and currently Law is taking into ambit the upcoming scientific developments such as Video conferencing facility. He suggested that it is vital that Law and Science should come together to battle the malpractices prevalent in today commerce oriented society. Mr. Chandhiok in his concluding remarks said that “legal seminars like this prove highly beneficial to the students and advised the students that they should bring passion to their profession in order to overcome the state of “too many laws yet too little justice.”

Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, Founder President, Amity Group, Patron-in-Chief of INPALMS-2010 announced to establish Amity International Academy for Forensic Medicine and start 10 PhDs in the area of Forensic Science in the University.

Justice Aniruddha Bose, Honourable Justice , High Court, Kolkata expressed his honor and pleasure to be at the stimulating programme on Law, Medicine and Science. Justice Bose said Forensic Science has a large scope of application in Criminal Law as Crime detection is growing more and more complex every day. Justice Bose opined that “Law is not oblivious of Science, rather Law borrows from science. However, not all scientific discoveries find their way to scientific jurisdiction and Law uses scientific tools more liberally in the cases of Civil disputes.” Bose recommended that the Scientific Community needs to come up with more empirical study in order to enable the courts to pronounce clearer judgments.

Mr. A.S Chandhiok- Senior Advocate & Additional Solicitor General of India, during his key note address said that “Law is a legal instrument to achieve welfare of the society and currently Law is taking into ambit the upcoming scientific developments such as Video conferencing facility. He suggested that it is vital that Law and Science should come together to battle the malpractices prevalent in today commerce oriented society. Mr. Chandhiok in his concluding remarks said that “legal seminars like this prove highly beneficial to the students and advised the students that they should bring passion to their profession in order to overcome the state of “too many laws yet too little justice.”

Also present during the valediction were Dr. Dalbir Singh- Vice President, INPALMS, Dr. T. D. Dogra-Prof & Head, Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, AIIMS, Dr. T. Sanchez, President, INPALMS, Justice P.V. Reddy, Chairman, Law Commission of India and Prof.(Dr.) M.S.L. Salgado, Founder INPALMS, Sri Lanka

Over 110 eminent researchers and Forensic experts from all over the world presented their research papers and interesting case studies during the sessions on “ Ethics in relation to Health Sciences”, “Newer Techniques in Scientific Investigations”, “Forensic DNA Finger Printing”, “Forensic/ Legal Medicine and Allied Areas”, “Criminalistics”, “Forensic Evidence in the Fight against Torture”, “Forensic Toxicology”, “DNA Fingerprinting”, “Odontology”, “Forensic Biology and Serology”, “Anthropology” and many more. Mr. Jeofrey Archer- famous writer of Detective Novels also attended INPALMS.

Dr. Adarsh Kumar, during his presentation on “Custodial Torture & Custody Related Deaths – Challenges and Remedial Measures in the Indian Scenario” said, “Custodial Death rate rose up to 41% by 2004. As per NHRC guidelines 2003, Custodial Investigations are to be strictly investigated by Magistrates and Autopsy to be conducted by a board of doctors preferably from 3 different institutions for bias removal. Full Video and photography must be done during the process of Autopsy and submitted to NHRC within 24 hours of its conduction.” He remarked that 80% Autopsies in India are conducted by MBBS doctors whereas ideally it must be conducted by Forensic doctors only. He recommended short term training in Forensic Sciences to doctors for the purpose of upgrading their medical knowledge and complete health screening of a person before his/ her admittance to jail, to track the record of death as to whether natural or custodial.

Dr. Chathura Nandasari-Registrar in Forensic Medicine, during his study on “Domestic Violence and Spouse Abuse” discussed about Violence Against Women (VAW) –and analysis of the circumstances of VAW. He stressed that out of 51cases of his study, 18 cases of Abrasion, 21 of Contusion, 3 of Fractures, 3 Beaten by husbands and 1 of Stab. In his study he identified that most women are beaten manually and all physical abuse cases are preceded by psychological abuse and the background factors are Alcoholism and Gambling. Dr. Nandasari said that 90% of battered women are unemployed and are totally dependent on their husbands and it is found women suffering from domestic violence result in depression and post traumatic stress. Dr. Nandasari urged to put across the need of parental support, empowerment of women and public education.

No photographes are available.

https://amity.edu/events/eventdetails.asp?id=7454

Updating of the Membership Register

This was undertaken once again as efforts to upgrade it during the tenure of successive Presidents and Councils had only been partly successful, and Mr. S. B. W. de Silva, along with other colleagues carried out the work of updating the register to the extent possible.

Missing minutes of the Council meetings

These were also collected from members who had maintained their own files and Mr. S.B.W. De Silva was again involved in this exercise and much work was done, though gaps remained.

20.01.2012 – 25.04.2014 – Hon. Shiranee Thilakawardena, Judge of the Supreme Court

Justice Shiranee Thilakawardena presided over the Society during this period. Justice Thilakawardena has the honour of being the first lady President in the history of the Society, 75 years after its inauguration. She was elected to the Council of the Society in 1992. She is best known for the dissenting judgement she gave in the case where a former Secretary to the Treasury was allowed (by 6 other judges) to withdraw an affidavit given by him statintg that he would not hold public office in the future and was re-employed in the same position later. She was also the Chairman of the three-member Commision of Inquiry which inquired into “ the procurement of high value weapons, military equipment , material and services between 2001 and 2005” , which report was not released on grounds of security.

Council Meetings held : 15 in 2012/13; 13 in 2013/14.

Membership

Enrolments : 2012 – 32; 2013 – 16; 2014 - 02

Activities

Dr. W.D.L. Fernando Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
06.12.2012	Voices from the Grave – Cross Examination of the Deceased	Mr. Sunil de Silva PC, Barrister - 20^th Attorney General of Sri Lanka, Crown Prosecutor, New South Wales, Australia

The Medico-Legal Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
11.08.2012	Applying multi-disciplinary understandings in forensic responses to sexual assault	Dr. Rita Shackel, Associate Dean-Senior Lecturer, Faculty of law, University of Sydney, Australia
12.12.2013		Dr. Richard Hurrruff, Civil Medical Examiner, Kings’ County Seattle, Washington USA

The Scientific Sessions

Date

Chief Guest

Plenary Sessions

01.09.2012

Hon. Palitha Fernando P.C.

Attorney General

Symposium on Best Practices, Guidelines and Protocols of Medico-Legal Care of the Sexually Abused Prof. Aswini Fernando, Dr. Ananda Samarasekera, Mr. Yasantha Kodagoda, Mr. Anil Silva PC

14.09.2013

Symposium on the Evolving Approach to Multi-Sectoral Management of Child Abuse and Neglect in SL Prof. Asvini Fernando, Dr. Lalin Fernando, Mr. Jayantha Jaysuriya P.C. Mr. Sajeewa Samaranayake

Amendments to the Medico-Legal Examination Form

Amendments to the MLEF (Police 20) drafted during 2010-2011 incorporating recommendations made by a Committee appointed by the IGP and the Attorney General were prepared in all three languages. Suggestions made by the College of Forensic Pathologists were considered, and the document was being finalized to be sent to the IGP for printing.

Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure regarding Inquests

Written submissions were invited from the membership, academic institutions, professional organizations as well as named individuals by the Sub Committee appointed for this purpose. A Literature Survey was also carried out and a working document was prepared. A presentation on the working document by Mr. Yasantha Kodagoda, Deputy Solicitor General, was scheduled.

Awarding of Certificates for Best Research Paper, Concept and Case Report

Best Research Paper : Paper titled “Development of a Sensitive HPLC Method for the Analysis of Benzodiazepines” by Ms. L. S. Hathurusinghe and Mrs. S. Tennakoon.

Consultative Meeting

A Consultative Meeting on “Classification of Injuries and Wording of Possible Medico-Legal Opinions on alleged Victims of Sexual Assault in the proposed MLEF” was organized on 13.12.2012 at the Auditorium of the Attorney General's Dept, chaired by Prof. M.S.L. Salgado and Additional Solicitor General Mr. Jayantha Jayasuriya. About 50 persons from the Attorney General's Dept, Police Dept, Universities and the Ministry of health attended.

Newsletter

One Newsletter each was issued for the years 2011 and 2012 by the Editor of Transactions, Prof. M.S.L. Salgado.

Workshop on Management of Child Abuse

On the invitation of the College of Paediatricians the President and many members of the Society participated in a workshop on “Strengthening the Multi-Sectoral management of Child Abuse and Neglect” held at Water's Edge on 06.11.2012.

75^th Jubilee Celebrations

A Forensic Exhibition was planned to be held from 17 to 19 May 2013 to 4mark the 75th Jubilee Celebrations of the Society. The theme was “Awakening – Medicine, Science & Law vs Crime: New Hope for Future Generations. The Organizing Committee was chaired by Mr. Chandra Fernando. To coincide with the 75^th Anniversary Celebrations the following activities were also planned:

• Publishing of a Souvenir with the History of the Medico-Legal Society

• Panel Discussions on Television

• Seminar for the Public.

However, the Council Meeting held on 26 February, 2013 , it was decided to postpone the Exhibition to be held in the following year.

11^th Congress - Indo-Pacific Association of Law, Medicine and Science (INPALMS)

The 11^th Congress was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 07 to 10 October, 2013 and was chaired by Dr. Mohamed Shah Mohamed.

Abstracts of the Papers presented can be accessed here:

http://www.mjpath.org.my/2013.2/abstracts.pdf

Apart from pre-congress workshops in forensic histopathology, anthropology, mass disaster management, crime scene investigation and pediatric forensic pathology, a workshop on post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) was offered for the participants. For the INPALMS congress, it was the first forensic imaging workshop indicating the growing demand and the increasing interest on forensic imaging techniques in Asia.

The Sri Lankan delegation to the Congress comprised of 28 persons and the Society authorized Prof. M.S.L. Salgado to represent it and exercise the vote on its behalf.

Sri Lankan Presentations were as follows:

Oral Presentations

P Paranitharan, S.Hulathuduwa; KAS Bandara , WNS Perera , S. Hulathuduwa; Clifford Perera

P. R. Ruwanpura, Ajith Rathnaweera, Janaki Waruhsahennadi

PAS Edirisinghe, IDG Kitulwatte, UD Senarathne; R.Illeperuma

R. Illeperuma , E. Herath Suraj Goonawardhana, Parami Wakista, Sharani Jayasekara , E. Vimaleswaran

Poster Presentations

Perera WNS , Paranitharan P , Perera BPP , Priyadarshani BAM , Madushani MD , Vadysinghe AN

Kumara Senanayake; Clifford Perera; Dhananjaya Waidyaratne; Janaki Warushahennadi

K. Dhahanayake , C. Jayasumana , R.Ruwanpura , M.Dahanayake , A.Rathnaweera

S. Amararatne , M. Vidanapathirana , S. Karunanayake , R. Nadeera , R. Sanjeewa

Dassanayake PB,, Vadysinghe, AN , Abeysekera Y; Manoratne NMK , Nissanka WAPDPM

Vadysinghe AN , Attygalle U , Manoratne NMK , Abeysekera Y , Nissanka WAPDPM , Athapaththu APMR

P. R.Ruwanpura, J. Warushahenndi , Ajith Rathnaweera; D. Ariyarathne , Sanjaya Hulathduwa

S. Amararatne , M. Vidanapathirana , T Sumanasekara , A.Tennakoon

S. Amararatne , M. Vidanapathirana , B. Abeysinghe; S.Wikramarachchi; J.M. Perera , K. Senanayake

Perera WNS , Paranitharan P , Perera BPP , Priyadarshani BAM , Madushani MD , Vadysinghe AN

A.Rathnaweera1 , R.Ruwanpura , J. Waruhsahennadi; J. M.Perera , A.Samarasekera

J. Warushahennadi1 , R.Ruwanpura , Ady Gayan; S.Hulathduwa , KGTD Bandara , P. Paranitharan

Office Bearers of INPALMS for the period 2013 – 2016

The following members held office in the Council of INPALMS during this period:

Past Presidents – Prof. M.S.L. Salgado, Mr. Chandra Fernando

Vice Presidents – Prof. Ravindra Fernando, Dr. Anuruddhi Edirisinghe

Secretary General – Prof. Ananda Samarasekera

Treasurer – Dr. D.L. Waidyaratne

Council members – Dr. Buddhika Weerasundera, Mr. W.D.G.S. Gunatilleke

25.04.2014 – 27.05.2016 – Mr. S.B.W.de Silva, Retd. Senior Supdt. of Police

Mr. S.B.W. de Silva presided over the Society during this period. He was the only Police Officer present at the re-inaugural meeting of the Society held on 09 February, 1966. He is a former Director of the Police Training School, Kalutara and Commandant of the National Auxiliary Force. He was associated with the publication of the Police Journal in the erarly 70s. He is best known for his investigative skills as HQI , Anuradhapura, where charred bones found by him and the Government Analyst, and the assistance of Prof. Lester Jayawardena enabled Dr. W.D.L. Fernando, J.M.O. Colombo to identfy that some of the bones were human and that some pieces were from the human skull.The accused and his accomplices were convicted in this case, which was known as the Kalattawa murder .

Council meetings held: 12 in 2014/15; 12 in 2015/2016

Membership

Enrolments : 2014 - 48; 2015 - 251

Activities

The Medico-Legal Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
28.11.2014	The Need to Abolish the Death Penalty	Dr. L. B. L. de Alwis, former JMO
31.03.2015	Constitutional Reforms and Independence of the Judiciary	Dr. Wijedasa Rajapakse, Minister of Justice

The Scientific Sessions

Date

Chief Guest

Plenary Sessions

30.08.2014

Hon. Palitha Fernando P.C. Attorney General

Symposium on “Are We Poisoning our Children”. Mr. Yasantha Kodagoda, Dr. Ruwan Wijemuni, MS. Deepika Seneviratne, Dr. Damayanthi Perera.

Launch of the Report on “Reasons for Delay in Child Abuse Cases in Courts and Recommendations to Address the Problem” Panellists: Dr. Ajith Tennakoon, Mr. Harshana Nanayakkara..

12.09.2015

Mr. N.K.Illangakoon Inspector General of Police

Symposium on Children and the Drug Menace Dr.Chandani Liyanage, Mr. Sarath Jayamanne, Dr. Sudarshi Seneviratne, Mrs. Sakuntala Tennakoon, Mr. Ajith Rohana.

Updating of the Membership Register

This was undertaken by a Sub Committee chaired by Mr. S.B.W. de Silva.

Medico Legal Examination Form

Draft of the proposed form which was finalized by the Sub Committee was sent to the Hon. Attorney General and the IGP to take further steps to adopt the said amended MLEF.

Medico Legal Report

A Sub-Committee was appointed to consider any amendments to the present being used. The Sub-Committee consisted of Dr. Ajith Tennakoon, Dr. Muditha Vidanapathirana, Dr. P. R. Ruwanpura, Dr. Uthpala Attygalle and Mr. Chathura Galhena.

Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code on Inquests.

A Sub Committee chaired by Prof. M. S. L. Salgado and consisting of Ms. Ayesha Jinasena and Mr. Chathura Galhena, was appointed to act on the working document prepared and the suggestions made by the Additional Solicitor General Mr. Yasantha Kodagoda PC, in this regard

Procedure and the relevant law and ethics in organ removal in dead bodies

A Sub Committee consisting of Dr. B.P.P Perera, prepared a document on the existing policy, that are brought to the Funeral Undertakers. The Council authorized Dr. Priyanjith Perera to publish the document which has been scrutinized by Prof. M.S.L Salgado

Awarding of Certificates for Best Research Paper, Concept & Case Report at the Scientific Sessions

2014 Scientific Sessions

Best Concept Paper - Dr. Priyanjith Perera - “Removal of Body Parts during Embalming: Ethico-Legal Aspects”.

2015 Scientific Sessions

Best Case Study - “Better Safe Than Sorry?” - A Critical Look at The Prescription of Long-Term Reversible Contraceptives to Teenage Girls in North-Central Province, Sri Lanka; reviewing five cases co-authored by Dr. P. Senevirathne, Dr. A. N. Vadysinghe and Dr. A. N. Samaranayake.

Best Concept Paper - ‘A critical evaluation of socio-demographic and positive forensic evidence in female sexual assault survivors of Southern Province of Sri Lanka: A six year period descriptive cross sectional study ( 2009 – 2014 )’ authored by Dr. L. H. Dhammi.

Resolutions approved at the Annual General Meeting on 29 May, 2015

Rule 11 – Add the following: The Annual Report shall also include a list of members who were admitted to membership during the current year. The list shall contain (1) the civil status /profession (2) Name with initials (3) Profession (4) Residential address (5) Class of Membership

Rule 4 – Substitute the following:

The Subscription for a Life Membership shall be Rs. 1500.

Rule 9a – To be replaced by the following:

The Council shall consist of the Office Bearers, five (5) Past Presidents of the Society, and ten (10) other members who are not Past Presidents and shall be elected from amongst the members of the Society of good standing at its Annual General Meeting.

27.05.2016 – ............2018 – Hon. Priyasath Dep. P.C., Chief Justice

Hon. Priyasath Dep P.C. C.J. presided over the Society.

He was the 45^thChief Justice of Sri Lanka. He was enrolled as an Attoney-at-Law in October 1976 and joined the Attorney General’s Department as a State Counsel in January 1978. He was promoted to the post of Senior State Counsel in February 1989. He was appointed a Deputy Solicitor General in February 1996, Additional Solicitor General in October 1999 and a President’s Counsel in April 2000.He was appointed as Solicitor General in April 2007 and functioned in that capacity until his elevation to the Supreme Court in June 2011. He had the distinction of being the Head of both Civil and Criminal Divisions, and was also the acting Attorney General on numerous occasions.

He took oaths as the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka on March 2, 2017. and retired on October 12, 2018

Council meetings held: 12 in 2016/17; 5 in 2017/18

Membership

Enrolments : 2016/17 – 08; 2018 – 13 ?

Activities

The Medico-Legal Oration

Date	Topic	Resource Person
29.06.2017	The Powerless in Court	Prof. D.N.R. Samarasinghe, Prof. of Psychiatry
11.05.2018	General Principles of the Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Human Identification	Mr. Franco Mora , Forensic Anthropologist, Peru

Dr. W.D.L. Fernando Oration

The Council noted that the last Dr. W.D.L. Fernando Oration was held in 2012 and decided to hold the Oration once again during the course of the year.

The Scientific Sessions

Date	Chief Guest	Plenary Sessions
27.08.2016	Emeritus Prof. Rohan W. Jayasekera	Dr. P.R. Ruwanpura, Prof. H.M.D.R. Herath, Mr. R. Sahabandu P.C.
14.10.2017	Prof. Harendra de Silva	Symposium on Premature Motherhood: An Issue Unnoticed” Prof. Hemantha Senanayake, Dr. Ajith Tennakoon, Dr. Chiranthika Withana, Dr. Ruwan Illeperuma, Mr. Palitha Fernando P.C.

12^th Congress - Indo-Pacific Association of Law, Medicine and Science (INPALMS)

The 12^th Congress was held in Bali, Indonesia from 19 to 23 September, 2016 and was chaired by Dr. Djaja Surya Atmadja.

The theme for the Congress was Protection of Society from Crimes, Terrorism and Human Rights Violations.

There were 236 participants from 34 countries. The majority of participating countries (23) came from the Indo-Pacific Region while the others were from outside the region.

The Sessions included 4 Keynote Lectures, 19 Plenary Lectures, 4 Symposia, 30 Parallel Sessions and 22 Poster Presentations

The latest techniques in investigations of the living and the dead in the field of medico-legal investigations and the current research conducted in the various specialties of forensic medicine and science were discussed and critically evaluated in the sessions.

Twenty Eight (28) forensic experts from Sri Lanka participated at the 12th Congress. The group comprised members of the Medico-Legal Society, College of Forensic Pathologists of Sri Lanka, scientists of the Government Analyst’s Department, members of the Bar Association and a scientist of the Scientific Laboratory “GENETEC”.

Among the presentations were the following:

Anusha Ediriisnghe, Anuruddhi Edirisinghe	A Revisit to Female Criminality : A study from a Sri Lankan Prison

Anuruddhi Edirisinghe, Anusha Ediriisnghe, Indira Kitulwatte	Challenges faced by University Academics when desigining degree programmes to police officers of 21st Century.

Anuruddhi Edirisinghe, Anusha Ediriisnghe	National Efforts on Addressing and Responding to Violence against Sri Lankan Women and Girl Children ; Recommendations of the Prime Minister’s Task Force

Anuruddhi Edirisinghe, Indira Deepthi Gamage Kitulwatte, Handun Wijewardena, Piumi Managoda	A revisit to the medico-legal management of routine cases of “unknown/ unidentified and unclaimed bodies in Sri Lanka. A multicentre Study.

S.M.H.M.K.Senanayake	Present and Future of Srllankan Forensic Practitioner's Role In Civil Compensation Cases

Dhammika Ariyarathne. Sanjaya Hulathduwa. Tharlndo DeMel. Sumudu Siriwardene. Shehan Karandana	Injury Patterns and Contributory Factors In Patients Admitted to Colombo-South Teaching Hospital Sri Lanka Following Occupational Machinery Injuries

Awarding of Certificates for Best Research Paper, Concept and Case Reprt

Best Case Study

“Unusual Case of Suicide with a Modified Trap Gun” by Dr. P.B. Dissanayake, Dr. A.N. Vadysinghe and Dr. W.M.M.H. Wickremasinghe

Best Concept Paper

“Unnatural Deaths of the Elderly Population in Sri Lanka: A Descriptive Analysis” by Dr. A.N. Vadysinghe, Dr. D.P.P. Senasinghe, Dr. M. Sivasubramaniam, Dr. R.P. Jayasooriya, Dr. B.G. Premaratne, Dr. R.M.I.S.D. Ratnayake, and Dr. W.M.M.H.P. Wickremasinghe

Best Research Paper

No recommendations.

Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure regarding Inquests

The different versions of the working papers prepared by the Ministerial Committee was taken up for discussion and was moderated by Dr. Ajith Tennakoon. Discussion on Version 15 was in progress.

Felicitations

A Felicitation Ceremony to Hon. Mr. Jayantha Jayasuriya P.C. on his appointment as the 29^th Attorney General of Sri Lanka was held at the Grand Oriental Hotel with the participation of over 35 members.

A Felicitation Ceremony to Hon Priyasath Dep P.C. on his appointment as the 45^th Chief Justice was held at the Kingsbury Hotel with the participation of about 50 members. This was an unique occasion because for the first time the person who held the post of President of the Medico-Legal Society was appointed to the highest position in the judicial system of the country.

80^th Anniversary Celebrations

The 80^th Annual Celebrations was organized by a Committee chaired by Mr. M. R. Latiff within a very short period and over 150 members participated at the event. The Organizing Committee was commended for the good work done. A souvenir was published to commemorate the event.

Two members of the Society, who completed 50 years as members of the Society were felicitated on this occasion. They were Dr. M.S.L. Salgado and Mr. S.B.W. de Silva.

The Hon. Prime Minister and the Hon. Speaker graced the occasion.

Launch of MLS Website

To coincide with the 80^th Anniversary Celebrations, the Society launched its own website, which was a long-felt need and Mr. Charith Galhena was commended for the effort taken to make it a reality.

Drt W.D.L. Fernando Oration

Date	Resource Person	Topic
09.04.1981	Prof. Chandra Amarasekera	Life and work of Dr. Fernando
25.08.1982	Prof. Keith Mant	Development of Medico-Legal System in Gt. Britain &Some Important Historical Cases.
25.11. 1983	Prof. Bernard Knight	Modern Trends in Medical Ethics
08.06. 1984	Prof. Chao Tzee Cheng	The Problem of Prevention of Drug Abuse as significant to Singapore with special reference to “Operation Ferret”.
12.07.1985	Prof. D.A.L. Bowen	A Cause Celebre – The Nielsen Murder File
15.08.1986	Prof. T.K. Marshall, Prof. of Forensic Medicine, Queens University, Belfast	Experience of a Forensic Pathologist in Terrorist Fatalities in Northern Ireland.
09.12.1987	Dr. Colvin R. de Silva	Circumstantial Evidence
08.07. 1988	Prof. Alan Watson, Regius Prof. of Forensic Medicine, University of Glasgow	Sherlock Holmes &Dr. Watson – 100 years old.
02.06.1989	Prof. G.L. Peiris	Nature &Scope of Inquests
09.10.1990	Hon. Lalith Athulathmudali	Exclusion of Evidence &the Promotion of Justice
12.07.1991	Prof. J.M. Cameron , Prof. of Forensic Medicine, University of London	Recent Trends in Forensic Medicine
21.01.1994	A.R.L. Wijesekera	Forensic Science – the Past, Present &Future
01.12.1995	Prof. M.S.L. Salgado	Forensic Aspects of Ethnic, Terrorist &Political Violence in Sri Lanka
08.11.1996	Prof. Savithri Goonesekera	Patient’s Rights and Professional .Responsibility
29.10.1999	Mr. R.K.W. Goonesekera	Human Rights &the Medical Profession
01.06.2001	Mr. Daya Perera	The Doctor as a Medical Witness
30.05.2003	Prof. K. Nadesan, Consultant Forensic Pathologist and Forensic Physician, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaysia	Victims of Violence
19.05.2006	Dr.S.M. Colombage	Road Accidents and Homicides in Sri Lanka – Causes and Remedies
23.07.2007	Dr. Kanthi de Alwis, Chief Medical Examiner of the State of Hawai, USA.	The role of the Medical Examiner in the American Criminal Justice System
10.07.2009	Justice Shiranee Thilakawardena	Murder of a Judge – Ambepitiya Murder Trial
12.11.2010	Mr. W.D.G.S. Gunatilleke, Addl. Govt. Analyst	Terrorist Bomb Mechanisms in Today’s Electronic Age
06.12.2012	Mr. Sunil de Silva PC, Barrister - 20^th AG. Crown Prosecutor, New South Wales, Australia	Voices from the Grave – Cross Examination of the Deceased
11.06.2018	Prof. Channa Wijesinghe, Former Professor of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine	Professional Sexual Harassment

Source: Medico-Legal Society Minutes

Medico-Legal Society Oration

Date	Resource Person	Topic
04.09.1992	Justice C.G. Weeramantry	Medicine, Morality and Law
14.09.1993	Prof. Richard D. Fox, Prof. Of Law, Monash University, Australia	Psychiatry and the Law – Sentencing Offenders , The Compulsion of Voluntary Treatment
08.07. 1994	Prof. M.A.Green , Professor of Forensic Pathology, University of Sheffield, U.K.	Death has thousand doors – Investigation of Sudden and Suspicious Deaths
07.07.1995	Prof. Petejr Venezis” Regius Professor, and Head of Dept. of Forensic Medicine and Science, University of Glasgow	The Role of the Medical Practitioner in Society
13.11.1996	Deshamanya Neville Kanakaratne, Governor of the Southern Province	Forensic Science in Crime and Punishment
11 .07.1997	Prof. Stephen Cordner, Prof. of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia	Forensic Medicine &Human Rights -From Nuremberg to the present day.
02.10.1998	Prof. P. Chandra Sekharan , Prof. of Forensic Science, National Law School of India, University, Bangalore	Forensic Investigations into the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi
27.07.2001	Prof. Jack Crane , State Pathologist, Institute of Forensic Medicine, , Queens University of Belfast and Northern Ireland	Crime Scene Investigation. The Pathologist’s Role
09.08.2002	Prof. Ravindra Fernando, Prof. of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology and Director, Centre for the Study of Human Rights, University of Colombo	Human Rights, Torture and Death in Custody in Sri Lanka
17.11.2004	Prof. Stephen Cordner- Prof. of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Director, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine	Mass Deaths in former Yugoslavia and Iraq : Justice and Humanitarian Approach/
18.12. 2007	Dr. Michael Pollanen, Chief Forensic Pathologist, Province of Ontario, Canada	Globalization of Forensic Medicine
27.11.2009	Prof. Derek Pounder, Dundee University, Scotland	The Case of Dr. Shipman
21.10. 2011	Dr. John Robson, Chairman, British Association of Forensic Odontology,	Success is a Funeral (Role of Forensic Odontology in the identification of victims of mass disasters)
11.08.2012	Dr. Rita Shackel, Associate Dean-Senior Lecturer, Faculty of law, University of Sydney.	Applying multi-disciplinary understandings in forensic responses to sexual assault
12.12.2013	Dr. Richard Hurrruff, Civil Medical Examiner, Kings’a County Seaattle, Washington USA	………………………….
28.11.2014	Dr. L. B. L. de Alwis, former JMO	Need to Abolish the Death Penalty .
30.03.2015	Dr. Wijedasa Rajapakse, Minister of Justice	Constitutional Reforms and Independence of the Judiciary
29.06. 2017	Prof. D.N.R. Samarasinghe, Professor of Psychiatry	The Powerless in Court
11.05.2018	Mr. Franco Mora, Forensic Anthropologist, Peru	General Principles of the Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Human Identification

Source : Medico-Legal Society Minutes

The Scientific Sessions

Date	Chief Guest/Addresses	Plenary Sessions
12.12.1987	Dr. Nissanka Wijeratne, Minister of Justice Addresses by Hon.Lalith Athulatmudali M.P. Minister of National Security and Hon. Dr.Ranjith Attapattu, Minister of Health	Dr. M.S.L. Salgado, Mr. A.R.L. Wijesekera, Mr. Chandra Fernando, Prof. G.L.Peiris
16.11. 1991	Hon. A.C.S. Hameed, Minister of Justice Keynote Address: Hon. Justice A.R.B. Amerasinghe	Mr. P. Sunil de Silva, Mr. T.P. F. de Silva, Mr. A.R.L. Wijesekera, Dr. M.S.L. Salgado
26/27.03.1993	Hon. Tyrone Fernando M.P. P.C. Minister of Legal &Prison Reforms	Mr. Tilak Marapana, P..C. Hon. Attorney General, Mr. P.H. Manatunge, Mr. M.M. Gunaratne, Dr. K. Nadesan
25.06.1994	Hon. Harold Herath M.P. Minister of Justice, Keynote Address: Hon. Justice Sarath N. Silva, President, Court of Appeal	Mr. Daya Perera P.C., Mr. K.A. Jegatheeswaran, Mr. J.D.M. Ariyasinghe, Prof. N. Chandrasiri
28.10.1995	Hon. G.R.T.D. Bandaranayake Judge of the Supreme Court	Prof. Ravindra Fernando, Mr. Upawansa Yapa P.C., Mr. W.D.G.S. Gunatilleke, Mr. Gamini Gunawardena
09.11.1996	Hon. P. Ramanathan,Judge of the Supreme Court. Keynote Address: Hon. Justice Priyantha Perera	Prof. N. Kodagoda, Prof. K. Nadesan, Dr. R.A.D. Kumarawickrema
29.11.1997	Hon. L. H. G. Weerasekera President - Court of Appeal	Mrs. Shiranee Tilakawardena, Dr. L. Weerasena, Mr. N. Thangaratnavel, Mr. S.B.W. de Silva
07.11.1998	Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva	Ranjith Abeysuriya P.C. , Dr. Prinath Dias- Mr. H.M. G.B. Kotakadeniya, Dr. B. Waidyasekera
13.11.1999	Deshamanya Dr. P.R.Anthonis Chancellor, University of Colombo	Dr. L.B.L. de Alwis, Prof. Manthri S. Ramasamy, Mr. C.R.de Silva P.C. Prof. Dinesh Mohan (IIT, India)
18.11. 2000	Mr.K.C.Kamalasabayson P.C. Hon. Attorney General	Dr. Rohan Perera, Mr. Palitha Fernando, Mr. Camillus Abeygoonewardena, Prof. K. Nadesan (University of Malaya)
10.11. 2001	Prof.R.G.Panabokke, Chancellor, University of Perdeniya	M.I.M. Ameen P.C. Dr.Ananda Samarasekera, Mr.Asoka Wijetilleke, Mr.C.D.Kalupahana
23.11.2002	Prof. Lalitha Mendis, Director, Post Graduate Institute of Medicine	Prof. Harsha Seneviratne, Mr. Sarath Jayamanne, Prof. Malkanthi Chandrasekera, Dr. Saman Bandara,
.11.2003	Mr. Ranjit Abeysuriya P.C.	Prof. John Hilton , Associate Prof. of Forensic Medicine, Sydney, Australia
20.11.2004	Mr. Upawansa Yapa , P.C.	Dr. Mrs. Jean Perera, Mr.Asoka Wijetilleke, Mrs. Sakuntala Tennakoon, Mr. Harsha Fernando
26.09.2009	Hon. Mohan Peiris P.C. Attorney General	T. Walaliyadda P.C., Dr A. Tennekoon, Mr. P. G. Madawela, Mr. Asoka Wojetilleke
31.07.2010	Hon. Asoka de Silva - Chief Justice	L.M.K. Arulanandan P.C., Dr. D.L. Waidyaratne, Mr. D.H.L. Jayamanne , D.I.G. Lucky Peiris
30.07.2011	Hon. Priyasad Dep P.C. Judge of the Supreme Court	Mr. Buwaneka Aluwihare, Dr. S.M.H.M.K. Senanayake, Dr. Anoma Perera, Mr. C.N. Wakista
01.09.2012	Hon. Palitha Fernando P.C. Attorney General	Symposium on Best Practices, Guidelines and Protocols of Medico-Legal Care of the Sexually Abused chaired by Justice Shiranee Thilakwardena Panellists- Prof. Aswini Fernando, Dr. Ananda Samarasekera, Mr. Yasantha Kodagoda, Mr. Anil Silva PC
14.09.2013		Assoc. Prof. Asvini D. Fernando, Dr. Lalin Fernando, Mr. Jayantha Jaysuriya P.C. Mr. Sajeewa Samaranayake
30.08.2014	Hon. Palitha Fernando P.C. Attorney General	Ms. Deepika Seneviratne, Dr. Damayanthi Perera, DR. Ruwan Wijemuni, Mr. Yasantha Kodagoda
12.09.2015	Mr. N.K.Illangakoon , Inspector General of Police	Symposium on Children and the Drug Menace – Dr. Chandani Liyanage, Mr. Sarath Jayamanne, Dr. Sudarshi Seneviratne, Mrs. Sakuntala Tennakoon, Mr. Ajith Rohana.
27.08.2016	Emeritus Prof. Rohan W. Jayasekera	Dr. P.R. Ruwanpura, Prof. H.M.D.R. Herath, Mr. R. Sahabandu
14.10.2017	Prof. Harendra de Silva	Symposium on Premature Motherhood: An Issue Unnoticed” chaired by Prof. Muditha Vidanapathirana. Prof. Hemantha Senanayake, Dr. Ajith Tennakoon, Dr. Chiranthika Withana, Dr. Ruwan Illeperuma, Mr. Palitha Fernando P.C.

Source: Annual Scientific Sessions Programmes=

=======

K. K. De Silva

to mediclegal
Jun 27, 2020

Details

Attention - President of the Society

Dear Sir

I assisted Dr. Salgado to type the history of the first phase of the Society in time for the 80th anniversary, and this is now available on your website.

Dr. Salgado thereafter undertook to complete the subsequent history up to 2018, and I assisted him to type it. I left the country on a holiday and at the time the document was almost completed but he had to include 2 photos of 2 Past Presidents, further improve the profiles of Past Presidents and fill in a few blanks.

Dr. Salgado also prepared the history of the office of the JMO Colombo and this too was almost completed at the time I left the country. He had only to write the profiles of 3 JMOO who held office and further improve the profiles of the former JMOO..

I do not know whether these documents were completed and forwarded to the Society before or after his death.

If these documents have been received, please ignore this email.

If not, I am attaching herewith the 2 documents, (as they were, at the time I was typing them} , for information of the Society. My role was to type the document as dictated by Dr. Salgado.

Regards

K.K.de Silva

2 attachments

Final JMO.pdf

Final MLS.pdf

Medico-Legal Society 1937-2017 by Dr. M. S. L. Salgado

Origin & Proceedings of the Medico-Legal Society of Ceylon 1937-2017by Dr. M. S. L. Salgado

Overview

History of the Medico-Legal SocietyFounded in 1937

Inauguration of the Society - 09.12.1937

09.12.1937 – 30.11.1939 – Hon. Sir Sidney Abrahams K.C., Chief Justice

08.02.1966 – 20.01.1969 - Hon. M.C. Sansoni, Chief Justice

09.06.1973 – 28.04.1975 – Dr. W. D. L. Fernando, Retired Consultant JMO , Colombo

23.03.1984-19.06.1987 - Dr. M.S.L. Salgado, Consultant JMO, Colombo

15.06.1990 – 31.07.1992 – Mr. A.R.L. Wijesekera, Govt. Analyst

29.07.2005 – 30.11.2007 – Mr. Chandra Fernando – Inspector General of Police

27.05.2016 – ............2018 – Hon. Priyasath Dep. P.C., Chief Justice

Comments