On 21st July, at a felicitation ceremony held on the lawn of the residence of Deshamanya Dr. P. R. Anthonis, the eminent surgeon, renowned for an enormous range of achievements and the recipient of the highest honours, awards and accolades, national and international, was elevated to the position of Chairman Emeritus of the Leonard Cheshire Foundation.

Capt. Denis Cooray, spoke of the Leonard Cheshire Foundation and reflected reminiscingly of the excellence of Dr. Anthonis, in medicine and surgery, where he had reached the highest echelons, achievements, received the highest plaudits and awards, including the unique title of the "pride of the medical profession" from his colleagues. He stated that Dr. Anthonis had been a founder member of the Foundation in 1964, with Sir Richard Aluvihare, the I.G.P. who was the first Chairman, along with Mr. H. N. G. Fernando, later Chief Justice, Mr. Alan Sharp Paul and a few others. He had become the Chairman, some years later and continued, being member and Chairman for 44 years.

The Leonard Cheshire Foundation is the apex organization in Sri Lanka of the Cheshire movement founded by Lord Leonard Cheshire, the most decorated British serviceman, in World War II, selected to be an observer in the American flights that dropped the A-bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He had returned to these cities later, and observing the massive scale of the destruction caused and dedicated his life to care for, relieve the distress and seek to rehabilitate the disabled and the Leonard Cheshire movement to work for disability was born. Today it has a presence in 58 countries. Leonard Cheshire was elevated to the peerage and became Lord Cheshire.

Mrs. Tanya Baron, Executive Director Leonard Cheshire Disability International, representing, the Chairman and the Cheshire family worldwide, spoke of the high regard and esteem in which Doctor Anthonis was held and the enormous contribution he had made to the work in disability of Leonard Cheshire Disability. She informed Dr. Anthonis, that LCD had decided to honour him by elevating him to the position of Chairman Emeritus. She further stated that the LCD had decided to instal Mr. K.I. De Silva, Senior Lawyer, Chairman – Wester Seaton Cheshire Home, Negombo, for nearly 20 years, as the Chairman of the Leonard Cheshire Foundation. Mr. K. R. Rajendra, South Asia Regional Representative (Bangalore) was also present.

Deshamanya Dr. P.R. Anthonis in reply traced the history of the Foundation, his friendship and close association with Lord Cheshire and Maj. General Virendra Singh (retired) who led the Cheshire movement in South Asia. His recital of events and his amazing ability to recall names, dates and important issues astounded all those present that morning.

Mr. Lasantha Perera, in introducing Mr. K. I. De Silva, spoke of his academic career at St. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, his professional studies at the Ceylon Law College, where he had had the distinction of achieving first class successes in both the Preliminary and Final Examinations for the Admission of Advocates and being placed first in order of merit. He also referred to Mr. De Silva’s professional practice, the offices he had held in professional organizations – President, Negombo Law Society, Vice President, Bar Association of Sri Lanka, President, Legal & Medical Professionals Society and in Sports Organizations – President, Negombo Tennis Club, Vice President, Negombo Cricket Club, Member, Constitutional Amendment Committee, Board of Control for Cricket and several other Clubs and Organizations.

Mr. K. I. De Silva said that it was with great pride and much humility that he accepted the Chair of the apex organization of the Cheshire movement in Sri Lanka. Pride because he accepted the reins of office from Dr. P. R. Anthonis, who to him was the finest gentleman he had ever met. Humility because Dr. P. R. Anthonis, despite the Himalayan heights of his achievements, remained a simple, gentle, human being of refinement and culture, and also the distinguished, much esteemed and highly acclaimed leaders who had served disability from the Foundation, before him. He pledged to uphold the importance and the dignity of this office.

Dr. Samantha Wakista proposed a vote of thanks.

A very cordial welcome to you all to this felicitation ceremony

My Dear Friends, I speak from my heart. I speak from my heart on the world renowned surgeon, Deshamanya Dr. P.R. Anthonis, whom I came to know on March 1966 when Leonard Cheshire came to Ceylon to open the second Cheshire Home, the Sir James and Lady Peiris Cheshire, Home, Mount Lavinia. And so it is a very great privilege indeed for me to have known this remarkable personality for over forty five years.

He is truly a walking encyclopadia and a many faceted personality. My many discussions with him in his well appointed study with all his case records neatly docketed marked his meticulousness. This is also reflected in his amazing attention to detail. A man of many parts. A visit to his imposing mansion will confirm this. A lovely lawn with flowering. bushes and pot plants surrouned by stately trees and shrubs - a connoisseur’s dream.

An opportunity to view the interior of this mansion will reveal a many faceted personality. Indeed a man of many parts. His remarkable personality is truly evident and this is what I would like to convey to my listeners. A visitor to this lovely home will be privileged to see the objected arts, the beautiful pictures, the exquisite ornaments and other choice works of art, which stamp his personality. As a world renowned surgeon, he was nun pareil and showed much compassion for his poor patients.

In our discussions, I have been amazed at the breadth of his learning and derived much benefit from his vast knowledge. It may also be mentioned that in the early days he took his family to our glorious wilds and today his, son. is a leading wild life photographer.