M.D. (Lon.) QUALIFICATION

During the colonial regime, medical officers of the Department of Health were required to obtain British qualifications which were a "sine qua non" for promotion. 

Some ambitious young doctors, who proceeded to England, sat the M.D. (Lon.) Examination. One such clever officer was Dr. Joseph Lambert, who gained admission to a London hospital. On the day of the final examination (MD. Lon.), he was asked by the examiner to see a patient pointed out by the examiner and diagnose the disease. The examiner had earlier told the patient not to speak and answer any questions put to him by Dr. Lambert and also to hide the bedhead ticket somewhere.

Dr. Lambert questioned the patient several times to ascertain what his trouble was, but when he remained dumb, the doctor was non-plussed. Dr. Lambert gave the patient, who happened to be a poor man, a guinea coin. The man, who had been forbidden to speak, then took out his bed-head ticket and showed it to Dr. Lambert. What more did the Doctor want? When the results were announced, he found his name placed top in the list. ‘ 

When Dr. Lambert came to Sri Lanka (then Ceylon), he was attached to the Castle Street Maternity Home After working for five years he resigned from Government service and set up in private practice. He attained fame not only as a M.D.(Lon.) qualified doctor, but also as a specialist in maternity cases so much so that his reputation had gone beyond the limits of Sri Lanka. '

A rich Chinese couple who were blessed with all worldly things except children, having heard of this doctor visited Sri Lanka to consult him. The Chinese lady from Hongkong understood little English and Dr. Lambert knew no Chinese at all. After listening to the story of the Chinese lady, the doctor pointed towards the consulting room and said, “Go in there, change and get on the bed I shall be coming there now. The lady looked at the doctor and told him,’ 'No doctor, l want a Chinese baby"