Nicholas Attygalle was born on 14 July 1894 at Ratnapura, Ceylon, where his father Don Louis Attygalle was a government official. The Attygalles were from Madapatha, Ceylon, where they own extensive lands. Nicholas Attygalle was educated at Ratnapura, at the Royal College, Colombo, and entered the Ceylon Medical College in 1914, obtaining the LMS first in the First Class in 1919. He was a natural leader in his student years. He joined the Ceylon Government Medical Service, and was posted to the Anti-Yaws Campaign, which involved travelling on foot or by bullock-cart to remote villages in the North, Central and Eastern Provinces; he enjoyed this work. Going to England on study leave, he obtained the LRCP MRCS in 1927, the DLO in 1928 and the Fellowship in 1929. On his return to Ceylon, he was posted as District Medical Officer, Nawalapitiya, where he established a reputation with his staff for straight dealing and firm action. He was then moved to Colombo where he was seconded for service with the Ceylon Medical College in the department of anatomy, and at the General Hospital, Colombo, as surgical registrar and senior clinical tutor. In 1934 he went again to England and obtained the MRCOG the first Ceylonese to pass this examination. Returning to Ceylon, he was appointed gynaecologist to the General Hospital, Colombo, and in 1940 was elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. As a gynaecologist Nicholas Attygalle expected of his staff, for whom he was always on call, the same meticulous attention that he gave to his poorest patient. A mistake would call forth a stern reproof, but was forgotten and forgiven, while he never forgave an untruth or dishonesty. Attygalle was Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from 1944 to 1953, when he left the University of Ceylon on being elected President of the Senate, the Upper House of the Ceylon Parliament and was knighted in that year. During his period as Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology he was elected Dean of the Medical Faculty. In this post Attygalle was respected for fearless adherence to what his instincts told him was the right course of action. But beneath his stern exterior, there was kindness, sympathy and humanity. If any of his students were under stress, he would know at once, and quickly help with assistance and advice, on condition that no one else should know. In 1955 Sir Nicholas was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ceylon in succession to Sir Ivor Jennings. He resigned from the Senate, and devoted his dynamic energies to his new appointment. The meetings of the University Council and Senate were quickly concluded, for Sir Nicholas gave no quarter to those who had nothing constructive to say. He would get to the heart of the matter in a few seconds, but always allowed those who expressed worthwhile views the opportunity of a full hearing. He was re-elected Vice-Chancellor for two subsequent terms of office, till 1966. Sir Nicholas took a keen interest in Buddhist societies, educational and cultural, served as their president and helped their advancement. When he was struck down by cerebral haemorrhage, he tried valiantly to keep active, but had to relinquish his duties as President of the Ceylon Medical Council and Chairman of the National Science Council. He died in his sleep on 27 March 1970, survived by his wife Conyta, Lady Attygalle, his son Lakshman Attygalle FRCS and his daughter Mrs Anula Wijesinha.