In 1991, he took on the huge challenge of establishing a new Faculty of Medicine for the University of Kelaniya from the remnants of the North Colombo Medical College, which had been vested in the state after a prolonged period of civil unrest. He faced the challenge with wisdom and foresight. Before he retired in 1997, he laid a firm foundation that enabled the Faculty to grow and develop along unique lines. He recruited young academics who would ensure a strong research culture and others who would become pioneers in establishing the subject of Family Medicine in Sri Lanka. He set up a Disability Studies Unit, the precursor to our Department of Disability Studies.

Prof Carlo was a man of many parts, a true polymath. He was an inspiring teacher of Physiology and a public speaker, a physician, a political activist, a science writer, and a philosopher. He was also an acclaimed musician, who wrote the lyrics for our Faculty anthem, amongst many other songs. He was a person who went out of his way to help others. But above all, he was a person who had the moral courage to speak out publicly for what he believed was right, and to live his life according to those principles.