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Saturday, 13 September 2014 01:53 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The launch took place at the current junior school library premises of the school, which was named the Dr. R.L. Spittel Library honouring, the famed surgeon and author. This was once the study of Dr. Spittel, where the worktable and a clock used by him are still present.
The stamp and the first day cover were ceremonially released in the presence of Chief Guest Member of the Western Provincial Council Malsha Kumaratunga, Deputy Post Master General Chitra Gunasekera, Philatelic Bureau Director T. Sheeharan and members of the Christine Wilson Charitable Trust.
The Wycherley Nursing Home built by Dr. Spittel in 1922 became home to Wycherley International School in 1985. Being one of the oldest international schools in Sri Lanka, the establishment looks forward to celebrating its 30th year of inception in 7 January 2015. The management of the school and its students has preserved the grandeur of the location with utmost pride and gratitude towards the patron who built their alma mater. Commenting on this initiative that the school has embarked upon, Wycherley International School Principal Kingsley Jayasinghe said: “I have always been inspired by Dr. Spittel’s life and his literary work, based primarily on indigenous people. In fact I am proud to be the Principal of Wycherley International School, which was started in Dr. Spittel’s residence and nursing home. Out of respect for his great personality, we have retained the name Wycherley, which was his choice of name for his office. Dr. Spittel, who is known today as a city surgeon, jungle doctor and tireless crusader for the protection of jungle fauna and flora is, an ideal example to our students. It is of paramount importance that we teach our children and make them aware of the immense service rendered by him to Sri Lanka. Hence, this launch is a fitting tribute to honour his memory. Wycherley is rather different from other international schools, where we always commit ourselves to maintaining strict disciplinary standards while valuing our identity as a school that is deeply rooted to the Sri Lankan culture.”
Malsha Kumaratunga, who is also a past pupil of Wycherley International School, sharing her thoughts on the occasion said: “Today, once again I walked through the halls that I have walked for 15 years as a student of Wycherley, and I was so happy to see how much it has changed for the better. Wycherley has developed significantly and it makes me very happy and proud to be a part of this occasion.”
Dr. Spittel was born in Tangalle on 9 December 1881 and was educated at Royal College Colombo and Ceylon Medical College. His eminent career began in 1909, as the third surgeon of the General Hospital Colombo, adding several landmarks to Sri Lanka’s medical history, including the first skin graft and publications such as ‘Basics of Surgical Ward Work’ and ‘Essentials of Surgery’.
He was honoured with the tittles of Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1942 and Companion of the Order of St. George in 1950, in recognition of his invaluable service to medicine. In 1935 he retired from the government service, setting the foundation to his own nursing home – Wycherley – where he and his wife Dr. Clarie Spittel, who was the fourth woman physician in Ceylon, took pleasure in continuing their noble careers.
The lives of flora and fauna in the tropical jungles of Ceylon as well as the indigenous communities who lived in harmony with those inspired Dr Spittel. Serving the indigenous communities, he earned the title ‘surgeon of the wilderness’, while being recognised as one of the most outstanding anthropologists in Ceylon, whose work is still marked for its validity.
The fictions he authored, including ‘Wild Ceylon’, ‘Wild White Boy’, ‘Vanished Trails’, ‘Where the White Sambur Roams’ and ‘Savage Sanctuary’, have been translated into many languages and has been inspirational to a number of Sri Lankan writers.
“Wycherley International School is very much connected to Dr. Spittel. This initiative is very significant and will expose students to the life of Dr. Spittel and the literary works composed by him. The main objective behind organising this event is to honour and preserve the memory of Dr. Spittel, whose house was where the Wycherley International School was later established. Hence it is our duty to extend our gratitude to Dr. Spittel by honouring his memory,” said Wycherley International School Director/General Manager P .Saravanan, sharing his thoughts on the event.
Built on an edifice of great values, the Wycherley International School is committed to making a better and brighter future children, inculcating discipline and cultural values in them. Under the umbrella of ANC Education, the school currently offers classes from primary to advanced level, maintaining the highest standard in terms of the quality of education.
