Our
Office
The History of the College Office
The administrative heart of the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka (CSSL) has evolved from shared hospital rooms in the past to a prestigious, modern headquarters. This is the story of our physical and administrative journey.
1962 – 1971: - Informal Office at the Consultant Lounge
The journey began on June 8, 1962, when the Association of Surgeons in Ceylon held its inaugural meeting in the Consultant Lounge, of the then General Hospital, Colombo. For nearly a decade, this location served as the primary gathering point and informal office for the surgical community.
1971 – 1997: Dr. P R Anthonis Residence to SLMA Building, Wijerama Mawatha
Following the formal establishment of the College in 1971, the first official office operated from the residence of the founder President, Dr. P. R. Anthonis, at No. 191, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07.
As the College expanded, the office was relocated to the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) building, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 07.
The Modest Beginnings: Initially a shared space with the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, the office was furnished simply with a typewriter, a telephone table, and a single file cupboard.
1997 Milestone: Under the presidency of Dr. Stanmore De Alwis, the College secured exclusive use of the SLMA room, marking its first dedicated administrative space. Following a series of interviews, Mr. S.A. Dayananda was selected from a pool of applicants to serve as the College’s Administrative Secretary.
In 1998, under the leadership of President Prof. Dayasiri Fernando the office took a significant step toward self-sufficiency. The council acquired a new filing cupboard, two tables, and 14 chairs, specifically to enable council meetings to be held within the office premises for the first time.
2003: The Bartholomeusz Legacy
In 2003, the trajectory of the College changed forever when at the invitation of Prof A. H. Sheriffdeen, Mrs. Nora Bartholomeusz donated her invaluable family property at No. 6, Independence Avenue, Colombo 07 to the College in memory of her late husband, Dr Noel Bartholomeusz.
On September 9, 2003, under the leadership of Prof. Channa Ratnatunga, the College office relocated to the esteemed Bartholomeusz House. The inaugural Council meeting at this new venue took place on September 24, 2003.
March 28, 2004: During the presidency of Prof. Mohan De Silva, the College building was officially inaugurated following a comprehensive renovation.
2005 – 2011: From an office to a Modern Hub
The office footprint expanded significantly to include training and academic facilities:
2005: Foundation stone laid for the auditorium under Dr. Indranee Amarasinghe.
In 2009, during Dr. Narendra Pinto’s presidency, the College underwent significant infrastructure upgrades. By modifying the office space and completing the auditorium, the “Noel Bartholomeusz Hub” (the College headquarters in Colombo) became a fully functional center for surgical training, professional medical examinations, and administrative work.
2021: The Golden Jubilee Modernization
To mark 50 years of excellence, a major refurbishment was undertaken under the leadership of Prof. Srinath Chandrasekera: The office hub too was included in the renovations with all office doors and window frames replaced, and a dedicated visitor lobby created. Also digital Integration took place, with the the Council Room upgraded with modern AV facilities, and high-fidelity audio/Wi-Fi systems were installed throughout the complex.
Our Team Now
Today, the Noel and Nora Bartholomeusz Foundation stand as a symbol of surgical excellence, housing our administrative office, a state-of-the-art auditorium, and training facilities that serve surgeons across the nation.
Mr. S.A. Dayananda provided early stability as Administrative Secretary (1997– 2004) before returning in 2009 as Administration Manager, a role he holds to this day. Following 2004, the office saw a period of transition where dedicated staff, including doctors serving as pre-intern demonstrators, ensured the College’s operations continued without interruption.
Ms. Amali Wijesooriya joined the office in 2012 and was promoted as the Assistant Manager – Administration in 2020, a role she continues to hold today.
Mr. Hirun Dilshan: Joined in 2021 as an Administrative Assistant and was promoted to Senior Administrative Assistant in 2024.
Miss Nisali Bhagya, who currently serves as an Administrative Assistant.