Our Founders

Mrs. Sylvia Fernando was the founder of the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka, then known as the Family Planning Association of Ceylon. She was the pioneer in making family planning a reality in a rather challenging environment. Initiating an organization with its core subject being sensitive in nature is not an easy task. Commencing a program for an issue very controversial and taboo at the time was incredibly daring and nevertheless challenging. Mrs. Sylvia's patience was remarkable and her particular smile revealed her sense of what was right. A single stern sentence settled most issues. She believed that everyone should have a hearing and the reason she gave was that everyone had experience unique to oneself from which others could learn. She had such a generous spirit and a heart that warmed to people; she not only shared all she had with others but also felt that everyone thought the same way about each other.

By now she had the unflagging support of Mrs. Sylvia Fernando whose commitment to family planning equalled her own. At the Inaugural Meeting of the Family Planning association of Ceylon in January 1953, Dr. Rutnum was elected its first President. The Constitution of the Association was based on the Family Welfare Society which had ceased to function by then and Dr. Rutnum made arrangements to transfer the balance monies to the FPA Sri Lanka, creating the seed capital required for its initial operations.

Professor C.C. de Silva served as President of the Family Panning Association from 1956 to 1958 and again from 1976-1977. As a member of the Executive Committee, the National Council and the Medical Council he contributed a great measure to guide the FPA in its formative years. As Professor of Paediatrics at the Universities of Colombo and Peradeniya his international stature brought luster to the fledgling Association and helped it to gain recognition and support from many quarters both national and international.

Mrs. Basnayake stands out as one of the Associations' most committed volunteers who over a 40 year period of service helped to develop it to become a major contributor to the national family planning effort. A Founder member of the Association, Mrs. Basnayake would recall how she had been motivated to join the Association in 1953 by Dr. Florence Ram Aluvihare. Elected President of the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka in 1977, Mrs. Basnayake steered its affairs for the next three years during which time she presided over the Silver Jubilee Celebrations in 1978. A devotee to the cause of family planning Mrs. Basnayake was a Senior Advisor whose advice and guidance was often sought by the younger generation.

One of Sri Lanka's most distinguished daughters Dr. Siva Chinnatamby was one of the early pioneers who though not a founder member joined the newly found Family Planning Association as a volunteer doctor. Her involvement in the family planning movement was an extension of her association with a small band of visionaries among who were Dr. Mary Rutnum, Professor C.C. de Silva, Prof. D.A. Ranasinghe, Dr. (Mrs.) L.O. Abeyratne, Dr. P.R. Thiagarajah, Dr. Florence Ram Aluvihare, Mrs. Sylvia Fernando, Mrs. Ezlynn Deraniyagala and others.

Ref : FPA Sri Lanka  25th Anniversary Souvenir

Ref : FPA Sri Lanka  25th Anniversary Souvenir

Ref : FPA Sri Lanka  25th Anniversary Souvenir

Ref : FPA Sri Lanka  25th Anniversary Souvenir

Ref : FPA Sri Lanka  25th Anniversary Souvenir

Ref : FPA Sri Lanka  25th Anniversary Souvenir

Ref : FPA Sri Lanka  25th Anniversary Souvenir

Ref : FPA Sri Lanka  25th Anniversary Souvenir

Ref : FPA Sri Lanka  25th Anniversary Souvenir

Ref : FPA Sri Lanka  25th Anniversary Souvenir

Ref : FPA Sri Lanka  25th Anniversary Souvenir

Ref : FPA Sri Lanka  25th Anniversary Souvenir

Ref : FPA Sri Lanka  25th Anniversary Souvenir