17.01.1946 – 14.05.2023
Dr Sabaratnam Sivakumaran
Consultant Emeritus National Hospital Colombo
Consultant Physician Dr Neville Fernando Hospital
A physician, Mentor and an Unsung hero
The Sri Lankan medical fraternity learnt about the demise of the much loved figure Sabaratnam Sivakumaran on the 14th May 2023 with shock.
Sivakumaran, known to friends as Siva was born in Karai Nagar, a town some 20 miles northeast of Jaffna to the couple, the late Namasivayam Sabaratnam, a much respected school teacher who was later appointed as the principal of Jaffna Hindu College, a seat of learning and the late Leelawathy Sabaratnam.
Sivakumaran was educated at Jaffna Central College from where he gained entry to the University of Ceylon, Colombo to read medicine. As a student and a trainee doctor Siva’s enthusiasm and caring attitude received the praise of many great teachers of his time including that of the late Prof Kumaradasa Rajasuriya and the late Dr R. P. Jayawardena. On completion of his training Siva proceeded to UK where he obtained his membership with the Royal College of Physicians in London returning to take a post in Mannar from where he proceeded to Jaffna as a Consultant Physician. With a drive to serve Mother Lanka his sense of duty and patriotism prevailed all his life.
It was in Jaffna he was challenged to display his full potential of altruism despite the dangers posed. At times of adversity he stood tall for all that mattered to him was the welfare of his patients at the darkest hour when the whole of Northern Province was ravaged by the protracted civil war. His caring nature was such that patients would seek his advice in droves while hospital staff would turn up to resolve administrative matters bypassing the senior managers when crisis after crisis hit the hospital supply chain.
Such was his dedication & reputation as a father figure.
Despite the exodus of hospital staff opting to get out of the war zone, Siva dug in for a long haul for he did not want to abandon his people at a time of need finding himself not only healing patients but also on the battlegrounds where he would dare to intervene to save civilians from cross fire settling disputes between warring factions putting his own life at risk. Such was his courage and concern for the innocent civilians.
With resilience came his steadfastness when he openly criticised those who perpetrated violence. Advocating the Gandian principle of ahimsa – not a strange quality for a man who made it a routine task to drop in at the local ‘ Vairavar” temple for a prayer on his way to work only to spend the entire day in hospital where he would carry out three ward rounds energising everyone around him. As an advocate of peace and reconciliation his outspokenness against separatism made him a controversial figure turning him a marked man when friends and well wishers were concerned for his life. Eventually he was pressurised to leave Jaffna against his will to save him from harm at the hands of would be assassins. Regrettably the man who was a beacon of hope had to call it a day in Jaffna.
Jaffna’s loss however was Colombo’s gain when he arrived at the National Hospital taking on the post as a Consultant Physician where he felt free to take on the mantle as a healer, mentor and a great teacher making a wider contribution to the health sector with a heavy involvement with the Sri Lankan College of Physicians bringing innovation and creativity in medical training, honing in his experience gathered as an overseas examiner for the Royal College of Physicians of London for the membership examination. Thus, the self-effacing Siva was able to put Sri Lanka on the map of medical education receiving his fellowship for outstanding service.
He suffered a heart attack some years ago but no sooner he recovered, bounced back to active duty. Whilst in Colombo he was also elected to the Sri Lanka Medical Council, the regulatory body for doctors.
On retirement he was snapped up by Dr Neville Fernando (SATIM) Hospital where he was headhunted to carry on caring and teaching until fate sealed his life at age 77.
At one of the felicitation events held in his honour at his retirement party, a local politician quipped that Sri Lanka will not need a Minister for Health if there is a doctor like Sivakumaran in every district! Such was the respect he earned among politicians with his dedication, commitment and diplomacy.
It would be appropriate to conclude this appreciation with the words of the great spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda: “Arise , awake, stop not until your goal is achieved”
In life Siva has achieved his mission. In death may he attain peace in Moksha!
He is survived by wife and soulmate Jeganayaki who has been a source of strength and support while he served the public.
Om Shanthi
Dr Sam Jebakumar. Con Physician UK. A former trainee
Dr Sathi Ariyanayagam. Con Physician (Retd) – A friend.
