BEYOND THE SCALPEL

A UNIQUE VISUAL CHRONICLE OF SURGERY, HUMANITY AND FOUR DECADES OF SERVICE

Monday, September 14^th 2026, Colombo: A unique educational and historical exhibition that presents the evolution of surgery in Sri Lanka through the four-decade experience of surgeon, Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke will be held from 25^th to 27^th September, at the Auditorium of The College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka. It invites visitors to look beyond the operating theatre and discover the many dimensions of a surgeon’s life, revealing how medicine intersects with society, history, education and national service. The exhibition is a visual journey through medicine, humanity, conflict, teaching, innovation and public service in the life of Dr. Goonetilleke.

It features more than 500 photographs, newspaper articles, historical documents, medical illustrations, clinical material, awards, publications, personal memorabilia and stories collected over a lifetime in surgery. Arranged chronologically and thematically, the panels display a variety of surgical conditions treated in the hospitals in Sri Lanka while highlighting the challenges faced by surgeons working in rural hospitals and war-affected regions. Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke has taught and mentored many medical professionals during his four-decade career.

It will be a unique opportunity for medical students to learn about the realities of clinical life. It is also an important historical archive documenting development in trauma surgery, surgical education and professional leadership. For the general public, the exhibition offers a rare glimpse into a world seldom seen outside hospitals. It enables visitors to understand the realities of surgical practice, appreciate the dedication of healthcare workers and recognise the extraordinary courage of patients who faced illness, injury and adversity with resilience and hope.

‘Beyond the Scalpel’ is far more than a personal retrospective. It is an educational resource, a historical record and a tribute to the evolution of surgery in Sri Lanka. It celebrates not only operations performed but also lives touched, students inspired, knowledge shared and communities served. Above all, it demonstrates that while surgery is performed with skilled hands, its greatest achievements are measured by compassion, humanity and service. Several patients from across the country will be living proof of the wonders of the scalpel at the exhibition.