Nationality Sri Lankan Known for Forensic pathology | Name W. L. Religion Buddhist | |
Dr Warusahennadige David Lionel Fernando (known as W. D. L. Fernando or simply WDL) was a Forensic pathologist and Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) for Colombo.
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Early childhood
Lionel who was born in 1914 and schooled at Nalanda College Colombo passed his Senior Cambridge Certificate and gained entrance to Ceylon Medical College. Later he was qualified with honours in Medicine and Surgery with a Licenciate that was recognised as a registerable qualification with General Medical Council in the United Kingdom.
Family life
Fernando was married to Ethel and was father to only child Kamalani De Silva. He was the father in law of C. R. De Silva who was one time Attorney General and Solicitor General of Sri Lanka.
Professional career
Fernando having worked as a Government Medical Officer in variouse parts of Sri Lanka after graduation joined Colombo National Hospital as an Assistant Pathologist in early 1950s. Later he won a scholarship to University of Edinburgh and studied Medical Jurisprudence and trained under Sydney Smith (forensic expert). Then after obtaining Membership of Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh worked with Professor John Glaister, Keith Simpson (pathologist) and Donald Teare at Guy's Hospital and St George's Hospital in United Kingdom. In 1953, Lionel returned and assumed duties as Assistant Judicial Medical Officer in Colombo. In 1956 he was appointed as Judicial Medical Officer (J.M.O) Colombo and held this position until his retirement in 1970.
Cases
Although WDL was designated as J.M.O Colombo he was J.M.O Ceylon as his services were sought by Police and Courts all over the country in resolving complicated cases.
In 1953 together with Sir Sydney Smith (forensic expert), WDL examined the gunshot wounds on S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike before P. R. Anthonis began operating when Bandaranaike was assassinated.
In 1959 he was involved with post mortem of Anuradhapura Road Thimbiriwewa murder case (known as Wilpattu Murder). He played a vital role in convicting Alfred de Zoysa for the murder of A.K.D. Perera in Kalattawa jungle.
Positions held
Dr Fernando was a founding member of the Ceylon College of Physicians, President of Sri Lanka Medical Association, President of the Medico-Legal Society, President of Ceylon Cancer Society, Vice President of Ceylon Medical Council, Vice President of Ceylon College of Physicians, Vice President of Organization of Professional Associations and President of the Government Medical Officer's Association (GMOA).