Draft:George R. Handy

Born on October 29, 1902, in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, Dr. Handy was born to an esteemed Tamil family. His father, Rev. C. C. Handy, was the first Ceylonese to serve as Principal of St. John's College, Jaffna. Dr. Handy received his early education at St. John's College and Trinity College, Kandy. He later attended the Ceylon Medical College, graduating with first-class honors in 1926. Pursuing further studies in the UK, he obtained multiple qualifications, including MB BS from University College London in 1939. His continues pursuits led him to obtain his MRCP in 1947, and in 1970 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP), a mark of distinction reserved for doctors of outstanding merit{{Cite web |title=Dr G R Handy Memorial Oration – Ceylon College of Physicians |url=https://ccp.lk/dr-g-r-handy-memorial-oration/ |access-date=2025-05-05 |language=en-US}}.

Dr. Handy began his medical career as a lecturer in physiology at the Ceylon Medical College. He was later appointed as a Consultant Physician at the General Hospital in Colombo—what is now the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. He became the first recognized cardiologist in the country{{Cite web |title=Sri Lanka Heart Association – Sri Lanka Heart Association |url=https://slheart.org/children's%20heart.htm |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=slheart.org}} and later established Sri Lanka's first cardiology unit.

In 1968, Dr. Handy founded the Sri Lanka Heart Association{{Cite web |title=Sri Lanka Heart Association - History |url=https://slheart.org/history |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=slheart.org}}, now known as the Sri Lanka College of Cardiology. As its first president, he served for more than a decade{{Cite web |title=George Rajanayagam Handy {{!}} RCP Museum |url=https://history.rcp.ac.uk/inspiring-physicians/george-rajanayagam-handy |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=history.rcp.ac.uk}}, his leadership helped establish cardiology as a serious and respected specialty in Sri Lanka.

His dedication to patient care and medical education earned him widespread respect. In recognition of his services, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1955.

Widely regarded as the father of cardiology in Sri Lanka, his pioneering work laid the foundation for heart care in the country, widely remembered for serving as president of the Ceylon Medical Association and the Ceylon Academy of Postgraduate Medicine.

The Dr. G. R. Handy Memorial Ward for Children is located at the National Hospital in Colombo, this pediatric cardiology ward was equipped and is maintained by the Dr. G. R. Handy Memorial Trust, offering specialized care for children with heart conditions{{Cite web |title=The Sunday Times Plus Section |url=https://www.sundaytimes.lk/990523/plus10.html |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=www.sundaytimes.lk}}.

The Dr. G. R. Handy Memorial Oration is held annually by both by the Ceylon College of Physicians and the Sri Lanka College of Cardiology, attracting leading medical professionals to discuss advancements in medicine and pay tribute to Dr. Handy's legacy.

The Dr. G. R. Handy Memorial Cardiology Unit was established at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital, this unit provides advanced cardiac care services, serving as a lasting tribute to Dr. Handy's contributions to cardiology.

Dr. Handy was married to Kanmanie Handy, and had two sons and a daughter, Dr. Mary Srikanthi Handy, a renowned philanthropist and academic{{Cite web |date=2023-09-17 |title=Remembering Dr. Srikanthi Handy |url=https://www.themorning.lk/articles/Y5RmW1FRi8sRpvhsb0Il |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Latest in the News Sphere {{!}} The Morning}}. Dr. Srikanthi established the Dr. G. R. Handy Foundation in her father's memory, which contributed significantly to Sri Lanka's healthcare sector, including the establishment of a pediatric cardiology ward at the National Hospital in Colombo.

Dr. George R. Handy passed away on March 22, 1995, leaving behind a lasting impact on Sri Lanka's medical landscape. His contributions continue to be honored through memorial lectures and ongoing initiatives by the foundation established in his name.

{{reflist}}{{Reflist}}