Awards
Recognizing excellence in surgical expertise, clinical innovation, research contributions, and outstanding achievements that advance patient care and medical practice.
CSSL Awards
Award Name
M.H. De Zoysa Award
Award for the
The candidate with the best performance at the theory component of the MD Part 2 examination.
Background
Dr. M.H. De Zoysa, joined the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo in 1960, and upon completion of his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in surgery, he was appointed as the Resident Surgeon to Kandy General Hospital in 1973.
Awarding Criteria
the candidate with the best performance at the theory component of the MD Part 2 examination. The M.H. De Zoysa award is awarded biannually
Application Process
Application process awarded on merit based on performace
Previous Recipients
Award Name
Prof. PSS Panditharathne Award
Award for the
Award for the best-performing student in the anatomy component of the Surgical Common Selection Examination
Background
Prof. PSS Panditharathne, a student of Dharmaraja College and Ananda college, entered the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo in 1953 and graduated in 1959, completing all his examinations with honors.
Awarding Criteria
The Prof. P. S. S. Panditharathne Award is awarded biannually to the best-performing student in the anatomy component of the Surgical Common Selection Examination.
Application Process
Awarded based on performance.
Previous Recipients
Award Name
Professor MVP Peiris Gold Medal
Award for the
Awarded to the candidate from all universities in Sri Lanka who scores the highest marks in Clinical Surgery at the MBBS examination.
Background
Mahapitiyage Velin Peter Peiris, OBE, LRCP, FRCS (28 July 1898 – 26 April 1988), was a Sri Lankan orthopaedic surgeon and politician.
After graduation and junior hospital posts, he was appointed as a lecturer in anatomy and later as a lecturer in surgery at the Ceylon Medical College, passing the Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons in 1929.
From 1930 to 1945, he served as a member of the Ceylon Medical Corps, acting as a surgeon to the Military Hospital in Ceylon.
Awarding Criteria
For the best-performing medical student from any Sri Lankan university. Awarded to the student with the highest marks in Clinical Surgery.
Prerequisite: Must have a First or Second Class in Honours.
Application Process
Awarded based on merit
Previous Recipients
Award Name
Shanthilal De Silva Memorial Research Grant
Grant
The grant is dedicated to supporting surgical research and education in memory of Dr. Shanthilal “Lal” de Silva, a distinguished Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS).
Background
Born on July 7, 1947, Dr. Shanthilal “Lal” de Silva was a highly respected consultant surgeon who dedicated much of his career to serving at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka and pioneered the establishment of the Intensive Care Unit at Matara Hospital. Beyond his civilian work, he was known for his selfless service, volunteering to treat war casualties in the Northern theatre of conflict, and continued his commitment as a regular surgeon at the Military Hospital after his formal retirement.
Nothing in his professional life gave him greater satisfaction than clinical teaching at the bedside, surrounded by medical students and trainees. We could not have a more appropriate memorial in the College than the Shanthilal de Silva Memorial Research Grant to support surgical research, which, after his untimely death in 2024, was generously endowed by his widow, Dr. (Mrs.) Shanthimala de Silva.
Awarding Criteria
Application Process
A proforma for the citation can be obtained from the College office.
Previous Recipients
Award Name
Dr J S Stephen Award
Award for the
Best research paper published in the Sri Lanka Journal of Surgery in the preceding year.
Background
Educated at Central College, Jaffna, Dr. Samuel Jeyarajah Stephen obtained his MBBS in 1955 from the University of Colombo.
He went on to pursue Cardiothoracic Surgery, serving at TH Jaffna, GH Rathnapura, and finally at NHSL before retiring in 1994.
Among the notable milestones of his career was assembling the first heart-lung machine at GH Rathnapura, enabling him to perform the first open-heart surgery—closure of an ASD on pump—outside of Colombo.
He was awarded the prestigious title of Hunterian Professor by the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1988 for his lecture, “Changing Patterns of Mitral Stenosis in Childhood and Pregnancy.”
He was conferred the highest national honour, Deshabandu, in 1987 for meritorious service to the nation.
Awarding Process
Previous Recipients
Congress Awards
Dr Bartholomeusz Prize
Award Name
Dr Bartholomeusz Prize
Award for the
The best oral presentation at the Annual Scientific Sessions of the College of Surgeons.
Background
In Memory of Dr. Noel Bartholomeusz:
This prize commemorates the life and work of the late Dr. Lucien Noel Bartholomeusz (1910–1977), a legendary figure in Sri Lankan surgery. After graduating with first-class honours from the Ceylon Medical College in 1935, he furthered his training in the UK on a government scholarship, earning the prestigious FRCS.
Upon returning to Ceylon, he became a senior surgeon at the General Hospital, Colombo, renowned for his meticulous skill and dedication.
Today, his memory is honoured through this Research Prize.
Awarding Process
Application process awarded on merit based on performace
Previous Recipients
Best Oral Presentation by a non-trainee
Awarded to the candidate (non-trainee) with the best oral presentation
Best paper in HPB Surgery
Awarded to the candidate with the best paper in HPB surgery
Best Provincial paper
Awarded to best research paper from a regional Unit
S A Ediriweera Award
Awarded to the best paper on trauma
Best SAARC paper
Awarded for best research presented by a South East Asian Country at the Congress