JAFFNA, Sri Lanka — Prof. Thavam Thambipillai, president of the International College of Surgeons and a leading transplant surgeon, was honoured in Jaffna on Sunday at a ceremony organised by a group of organisations from his native village of Kaithady.
The event drew a large public gathering, with residents from Kaithady and other parts of Jaffna attending in significant numbers, reflecting the pride many expressed in his international achievements.
Speakers at the event reflected not only on Prof. Thavam Thambipillai’s career but also on the historical identity of his village.
Mr. Laleesan, a classmate of Prof. Thavam Thambipillai at St. John’s College and now Principal of Kopay Teachers’ College and President of the Jaffna Tamil Sangam, said Kaithady was once known for its abundance of thazhai (screw pine), also called kaithai, from which the village is believed to derive its name. Over time, he said, the village became associated with rice cultivation and later with its musicians, before coming to be closely identified with Prof. Thavam Thambipillai himself.
Prof. Balasingam Balagobi, Head and Professor of Urology and Consultant Urological Surgeon at the University Surgical Unit of the Teaching Hospital Jaffna, described the felicitation as both significant and difficult to organise, noting that Prof. Thavam Thambipillai was not someone who sought recognition.
“Convincing him to attend an event like this is itself a challenge,” he said.
He then turned to the deeper qualities that he described as defining Prof. Thavm Thambipillai’s career. While acknowledging that many in Jaffna possess strong intellectual ability and excel in their respective fields, Prof. Balagobi said Prof. Thavam Thambipillai stood out for attributes that go beyond academic achievement.
“Intelligence alone is not enough,” he said, pointing to what he described as a rare combination of emotional, adversity, and social intelligence.
He described emotional intelligence (EQ) as the ability to remain grounded, to understand people, and to carry oneself with humility — qualities he said were evident in Prof. Thavam Thambipillai’s interactions with colleagues and patients alike.
He also highlighted adversity intelligence (AQ) — the ability to function under intense pressure. Recalling his own experience, Prof. Balagobi said he had witnessed this firsthand during the early days of kidney transplant surgery at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital, where Prof. Thambipillai played a leading role.
During a transplant procedure, he explained, once the kidney is removed and the blood vessels are cut, the organ must be cooled within minutes — a critical phase requiring speed, precision, and composure.
“It is a moment of immense pressure,” he said. “Having seen him work in such situations, I can say his ability to handle adversity is exceptional.”
Prof. Balagobi also mentioned social intelligence (SQ), recalling Prof. Thavam Thambipillai’s inauguration as President of the International College of Surgeons, during which leading figures from across multiple continents gathered.
“The respect he commands internationally, and the relationships he maintains, are remarkable,” he said. “People are genuinely fond of him and willing to support him.”
Summing up, Prof. Balagobi described Prof. Thavam Thambipillai as a rare individual who combines intellectual ability with emotional depth, resilience, and social awareness.
“In that sense,” he said, “he is not only a distinguished surgeon, but also a model for young people, particularly in a post-war society like ours.”
A Journey Rooted in Jaffna
In his address, Prof. Thavam Thambipillai reflected on his own journey, noting that although he was born in Colombo and studied there until the age of 13, he returned to Jaffna after the 1983 violence.
“In many ways, the foundation of my education was laid at St. John’s College, Jaffna,” he said.
“Having lived on this soil as one among you, I have gone on to work across much of the world, performing surgeries on five continents.”
Drawing from his experience, he emphasised that success is not limited to a select few.
“It is not just me — anyone can succeed in life if they put their heart and soul into it,” he said.
Praising Jaffna’s Medical Community
A central theme of his remarks was the role of the medical sector in the Northern Province.
“You who live on this soil are fortunate — blessed — and a major reason for that is our medical community,” he said.
He paid tribute to doctors and healthcare workers who served during the war years under severe constraints.
“Amid shelling, violence, and immense hardship, with very limited personnel and facilities, they continued to serve the people. We cannot forget that,” he said.
He said the situation had since changed significantly, with a growing number of specialists now working in the region.
“Today, we have a wide range of medical professionals working tirelessly for the people,” he said, adding that the standard of care now available in Jaffna compares favourably with many parts of the world.
He cited facilities such as the Transplant Centre and the Day Surgery Centre at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital as examples of that progress.
“These centres are functioning successfully because of the hard work of our medical professionals,” he said. “These are facilities I have not seen in many of the countries where I have worked.”
“It is our own doctors who made this possible,” he added.
A Message on Responsibility
Prof. Thavam Thambipillai also urged the next generation to focus not only on achievement but on values.
“True happiness lies not in what we receive, but in what we give — in sharing our knowledge and resources with others,” he said.
He cautioned against criticism that could undermine public trust in essential institutions.
“Spreading false allegations about a medical community that serves with such dedication will only demoralise them,” he said.
“We are human — we may make mistakes. But if you place a small black dot on a large white sheet, people tend to focus only on the dot, not the vast expanse of white.”
The event was attended by Prof. Thambipillai’s parents and elder brother, along with Dr. T. Sathiyamoorthy, Director of the Teaching Hospital Jaffna, and Dr. K. Ketheeswaran, Regional Director of Health Services (RDHS), among others.
