History of the Sri Lanka Medical Association Over a century ago, with the progressive increase in the number of medical practitioners in the country, the profession felt a strong need for an association that would bring all doctors to a common platform which would safeguard, maintain and promote the interests and honor of the medical profession. During this time, when the country was still a British colony, the British Medical Association in London asserted a certain degree of control over the medical profession in the colonies and allowed formation of branches in these countries. On 26th February, 1887, a meeting was held at the Colonial Medical Library in Colombo, marking the first formal step in establishment of the Ceylon Branch of the British Medical Association. Fifteen doctors, including leading medical practitioners at the time such as Dr. W. R. Kynsey, Dr. J. L. Vanderstraaten, Dr. J. D. Macdonald, Dr. W. G. Van Dort, Dr. W. G. Rockwood and Dr. E. N. Schokman attended this meeting. The branch was officially inaugurated on 17th December, 1887 with the participation of 19 members from Colombo, Kandy, Galle and Kalutara. Although, Dr. W. R. Kynsey was unanimously elected to be the president at the first meeting held in February, he declined the position as he was due to go on overseas leave and proposed Dr. Anthonisz for the position. Hence, Dr. Anthonisz became the first president of the Ceylon Branch of the British Medical Association with Dr. Henry Keegel as the first Secretary. The Ceylon Branch started off with 65 members on the roll and by 1898 the membership had almost doubled with 113 members. It was one of the largest branches in the British colonies. Following declaration of independence, the name of the association was changed as the Ceylon Medical Association in 1951. The association disengaged all connections with the British Medical Association in 1957. The current name “Sri Lanka Medical Association” was adopted, with the promulgation of the new democratic socialist republic. It celebrated its’ golden jubilee in 1937 with Sir Nicholas Attygalle as the President and Dr. E. M. Wijerama as the Honorary Secretary.