Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke - Jaffna Monitor

Reforming Healthcare in Sri Lanka for Equity and Excellence

By: Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke The Ministry of Health is the government institution responsible for governing the entire health system in Sri Lanka, playing a vital role in protecting public health, ensuring that all organizations providing health-related products and services comply with safety regulations, and guaranteeing that individuals and communities receive quality healthcare without financial hardship. Its vision is “a healthier nation that contributes to its economic, social, mental an

Guest Column May 2026

Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke

May 15, 2026 — 8 min read

Charith: The Cost of War, Carried for Life

By: Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke I first met Charith in the early hours of 19th November 2008, in Ward 8 of Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital. He arrived as a wounded soldier from the war front, bearing injuries that would change the course of his life forever. For three months he remained under my care, during which time our relationship grew beyond that of surgeon and patient. Years later, Charith recognizes me not by sight but by the sound of my voice. Sadly, he lives in permanent darkness. C

April 2026 Guest Column

Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke

Apr 25, 2026 — 7 min read

A Tale of Two Energy Landscapes: Trincomalee Oil Tanks and Jurong Island

By: Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke The contrasting stories of the oil tank farm in Trincomalee and the development of Jurong Island, located to the southwest of mainland Singapore, provide a powerful example of how vision, planning, and governance can shape the destiny of strategic assets. Both locations possess significant geographical advantages and lie along major maritime routes. Yet, while Jurong Island has grown into a global energy and petrochemical hub, the Trincomalee oil tanks have r

April 2026 Guest Column

Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke

Apr 12, 2026 — 5 min read

Trincomalee Oil Farm and Energy Hub: Sri Lanka’s Missed Opportunity Returns

By: Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke The Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm stands today as one of the most strategically significant yet historically underutilized energy assets in South Asia. Located in the deep natural harbour of Trincomalee, the facility embodies a convergence of history, geopolitics, and economic potential. In the current global context—marked by energy insecurity, shifting geopolitical alliances, and regional competition—the Trincomalee oil farm offers Sri Lanka a renewed opportunity

Guest Column OP-ED

Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke

Mar 24, 2026 — 10 min read

Sri Lanka Cricket: From World Champions to a System in Crisis

By: Gamini Goonetilleke Cricket in Sri Lanka has long been more than a sport. It has functioned as a powerful social and cultural force, capable of transcending ethnic, religious, and class divisions, particularly during periods of political conflict and economic uncertainty. From village playgrounds to international stadiums, cricket has united communities and fostered a shared national identity. During the decades of civil conflict, the achievements of the national team created moments

Guest Column March 2026

Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke

Mar 20, 2026 — 10 min read

The Battle for Elephant Pass – 1991

Editor’s Note The Battle of Elephant Pass has long been remembered through differing — and often opposing — narratives. Many Tamils are familiar with the version told from the LTTE’s perspective. The account that follows offers another vantage point: that of a surgeon who was on duty at Palaly during the siege and witnessed its human cost firsthand. It is presented as a personal historical recollection. Documenting multiple perspectives is essential to understanding the full complexity of Sri

February 2026 Guest Column

Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke

Feb 17, 2026 — 9 min read

Cricket in Jaffna: Past, Present, Future and the Debate Over a New International Stadium

Cricket occupies a unique and powerful place in Sri Lanka’s national identity. No other sport evokes the same depth of passion or collective pride. The 1996 Cricket World Cup victory transformed cricket from a popular pastime into a unifying national obsession—an emblem of hope, joy, resilience, and belonging. For decades, Sri Lankans have believed that cricket transcends geography, ethnicity, class, and political divisions. From the urban centres of Colombo, Galle, and Kandy to the rural heartl

Opinion January 2026

Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke

Jan 12, 2026 — 11 min read

Peace Road to Jaffna: The 2002 A9 Odyssey

By air, by sea, and now—after almost two decades—by land. My journeys to Jaffna had always been shaped by the shifting tides of Sri Lanka’s civil war. I had flown many times into the heavily fortified Palaly Base Hospital to treat injured soldiers. I had sailed across the uncertain seas in 1994 with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to assist the medical students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, in completing the final examination for the medical degree (MBBS-

December 2025 Special Article

Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke

Dec 23, 2025 — 9 min read