Episode
3, May 2017
Lakshman
Abeyagunawardene,
Consultant Community Physician and Writer
It is my great pleasure to record this virtual
interview with my much admired colleague and friend Lucky, and I thank him for his
kind permission to post this on our own Blog, ColomboMedgrads1962 which as we
all know is the brainchild of the subject of this interview, Lucky
Abeyagunawardene himself.
Speedy: Good morning Lucky
and thanks for appearing on the Speedy Interview. You are my third subject, the
others being Cyril and Zita.
Lucky: My pleasure Speedy.
By the way, have I ever called you Mahendra or Gonsal?
Lucky: Sure. I certainly
don’t mind! Just keep me under control if I stray a bit from your agenda. I
have a tendency to digress when writing.
Speedy: Astute observation!
That’s fine. You are a Hikkaduwaman born at the height of the Second World War
and one of 4 children born to Cyril and Elsie Dias Abeyagunawardene. Are there
some lingering memories of Hikkaduwa? My father incidentally is from Hikkaduwa
and I have very fond memories of visiting his family and of hours of sea
bathing.
Lucky: My ancestral home was
by the seaside on the main Galle Road. I was born in that house called
“Sandfield”, but had moved to Galle when I was just a toddler. As
such, I cannot
remember my maternal grandmother who was living at
the time or for
that matter, anything else around the Hikkaduwa house except perhaps the great big
ocean. Strangely, I remember albeit very
vaguely, the Seenigam Devale which was on a tiny island in mid sea, clearly
visible from the Galle Road.
I do remember my mother talking about Gonsalkorales of Hikkaduwa. That
was long before I met you in Medical College.
Speedy: Well, can hardly
blame you. It has been a long time. You then moved to Galle and from there to
Hendala and on to Colombo in 1949.
Lucky: Yes, that’s right. My
father was a government servant and all this happened on his transfer from
Galle to Colombo.
Speedy: I see, government
servants were indeed subject to transfers. How well do you remember your
childhood and of people who had a great influence on you?
Lucky: I remember very
vaguely the house in Kalegana, Galle (where we lived for a short time) but
moved to the larger house that my father had built at Mahamodera, while I was
still a pre-school kid. Other than my mother, I don’t think anyone else
influenced me that much in my childhood. However, since my mother’s elder
sister lived just behind our Kalegana house, I spent a lot of time with my
three cousins – Hubert, Samson and Christie who were much older than me. The
youngest Christie is none other than the well known Chest Physician Dr. Chris
Uragoda who is still living aged 89. Other than my own mother who had
influenced me, it was Chris Uragoda that I looked up to as a role model.
Speedy: That is most
interesting. You probably know that my brother Raj is married to Indira
Kottegoda, daughter of Prof SRK. Chris Uragoda is Prof Kotte’s wife’s younger
sister who died last year. So indirectly, we are related! Let us talk about
your education. What was your first school and when did you enter St Anthony’s
College, Wattala? And what were the circumstances that led to you entering
Carey College, Colombo which interestingly was located very close to the
Colombo Medical Faculty.
Lucky: I remember very well
how I started schooling. Like most boys of that era, I had been admitted to two
Girls’ schools to begin with. They were Holy Cross College, Gampaha and Good
Shepherd’s Convent, in Nayakakanda, Hendala. As the Convent would not take boys
beyond Standard II, I was admitted to St. Anthony’s College, Wattala while we
were yet in Hendala.
The circumstances that led to my
admission to Carey College are a long story, but I shall summarise it.
On being allocated government
housing at Manning Town, Colombo 8 following a long waiting period, my father
had to move the family from Hendala to Colombo at the end of 1949. I had just
been promoted to Standard IV (Grade 4 to present generations) at Anthony’s
College, Wattala. But new students were not generally admitted to such “middle
level” classes in primary sections in leading schools. As such, it was no easy
task for my parents to find a suitable school for me in the big city. My two
elder sisters were lucky and they gained admission to VisakhaVidyalaya in
Bambalapitiya without any difficulty. My parents didn’t have sufficient “pull”
to admit my younger brother and myself to a good Boys’ School in Colombo “in
mid stream”. Thus, I ended up in Standard IV at Carey College, a little known
private fee-levying Baptist school situated at the junction of Kynsey Road and
Norris Canal Road. So close, but yet so far from a later destination – the
Medical College which is just across the road from Carey College!
Speedy: As ND would say, “the
awesome force of destiny”! Then you had to think of preparing yourself to enter
University and although I know that you gained admission to Ananda, you may
have ended up at Royal or Wesley. Their loss of course!
Lucky: Being the good
Royalist you are, you have unwittingly given me the opportunity to explain myself! It
was only at the end of 1951 when I was in Standard V at Carey College, that I
was able to sit for admission tests to enter a better school. My father was
very keen to admit me to Royal College, but in addition to Royal, he also sent
in an application to Wesley College and on my request, to Ananda College as
well. Royal College turned down my application on the grounds that I had to be
10 years and 6 months of age on January 1st 1952. I was underage by
about three months. If I really wanted to get into Royal, I would have lost a
year, and had I been successful in the admission test, I would have ended up in
the Class of 1953 at Royal. Instead, I
faced the admission tests at Wesley and Ananda at the end of 1951 and was
successful in both. I probably would have had my own religion in mind when I
opted for Ananda – the premier Buddhist educational institution. I have no
regrets for not being able to gain admission to Royal either. It is true that
with contrasting features, Cinnamon Gardens and Maradana are at opposite ends
of a spectrum as a school’s neighbourhood and environment. But as a student at
Ananda, I found that greatness in a school does not depend on its locality. My
Alma Mater would have flourished anywhere on earth, as an outstanding seat of
learning!
Speedy: As I said, Royal’s
loss, Ananda’s gain. Clearly, Buddhism had a great influence on you. I would
like to talk about your school days at Ananda and in particular, how it shaped
your character and personality. I am sure you were a good student but did you
indulge in any extracurricular activities while at Ananda?
Lucky: As you know, I was at
Ananda from 1952 to 1960. Needless to say, had I not entered Ananda, but
decided to sacrifice a year to get into Royal, my personality would have been
quite different. I must say that I was an average student. In hindsight, I now
realise that I should have been more involved in extracurricular activities.
Apart from being a cadet and playing table tennis, I was unable to play more
outdoor games mainly because the school grounds was located some distance away
from the school. My parents would have found it difficult to arrange transport
had I wanted to stay on for cricket practice for instance – a game that I
loved.
Speedy: Thank you for that
honest and forthright recollection. Could you now clarify how and why you spent
some time as a Teacher at Talatuoya Central School prior to starting your
medical education in 1962? I am sure readers would also be interested in
reading about your experience taking up a responsible job at such a young age.
Lucky: Unlike in the case of
the Advanced Level (AL) examination of today when timeframes and calendars of
events are uncertain and subject to change, the University Entrance (UE)
examination during my student days was held almost with clockwork precision in
December of each year. Results were released in January of the following year,
and university academic sessions invariably started in June. That was also a
time when only a mere one thousand students sought admission to the University
in the Biological Sciences stream. Again unlike today, the UE examination
consisted of both theory and laboratory practical components in all four
subjects (Botany, Zoology, Physics and Chemistry). Candidates who reached a
certain standard in the “first leg” of the examination (theory and practicals)
were then summoned by registered letter, for the “second leg” - what was called
the Viva Voce examination. It was at the “viva” (interview) that university
authorities made the final decision on who would enter the Medical Faculty and
who would be admitted to Dental and Veterinary Faculties. Another lot from
those who were not summoned for the “Viva” were admitted later to the Science
Faculty to follow a course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science (BSc).
The successful candidates, who qualified for professional degree courses such
as Medicine and Dentistry, virtually had their future cut out for them even at
that early stage. University entrants also made full use of the interim
six-month period from January to June to find gainful temporary employment for
which opportunities were many. Not only were they able to earn a few extra
rupees, but they also gained valuable experience that was bound to serve them
well in later life.
Speedy: I see now. You had a
six month period to fill before commencing Medical studies.
Lucky: Yes. So it happened
that as a teenager in late 1960, I applied for my very first job. I registered
myself at the Education Department at Malay Street (for posts of Science
Assistants) and also at the Central Employment Exchange at Lotus Road where
available openings were more general and unknown till one was offered to a
registrant. Largely due to the non-competitive climate prevailing at the time,
I was successful in both! I preferred to accept the teaching post, foregoing
the opportunity to join the Health Department as a Trainee Radiographer.
By some strange coincidence, it
was on the very day that I reported for work at Talatuoya Central College that
I heard the good news that I had been summoned for an interview at the
University Staff Bungalow on Reid Avenue. I have preserved to this day, that
all-important registered letter signed by the University Registrar M.D.G.
Abeyratne, with the envelope in which it was enclosed!
My main responsibility at Talatuoya was to teach Science and Mathematics to students in “Pre-Senior” classes including the Senior School Certificate (SSC Prep) class. In addition, I was also assigned duties as class teacher in a lower class (grade seven).
When it was time for me to submit
my resignation, I had to say goodbye not only to the school, staff and
students, but also to the teaching profession of which I was a proud member
even for such a short period. I was accorded a farewell at a special school
assembly where I made my first real public speech as a government official!
Speedy: There is no doubt in
my mind that the beneficiaries from your teaching stint were not just you but
all the pupils and teachers that you had the privilege of working with. Let us
now move on and discuss your medical career which began in 1962 when we all became
proud and somewhat anxious medical students. Let me start by asking you, how
old were you when you decided that you wanted to be a doctor and can you recall
the reasons why?
Lucky: It was as a child that I first thought of becoming a doctor. My maternal uncle, his son and two more of my first cousins who were sons of my mother’s elder sister had already qualified as doctors because they were years older than me. Perhaps, my own decision to enter the medical profession was influenced to some extent by these close senior relatives.
Lucky: It was as a child that I first thought of becoming a doctor. My maternal uncle, his son and two more of my first cousins who were sons of my mother’s elder sister had already qualified as doctors because they were years older than me. Perhaps, my own decision to enter the medical profession was influenced to some extent by these close senior relatives.
Speedy: It is quite
interesting to ask that question and in many cases, there were doctors in the
family who indirectly influenced that crucial decision. I would welcome readers
of this blog to comment on their own experience. Let us dwell on some
significant points in your medical student days. There are many and some are
chronicled in the Blog but I would appreciate a brief summary of the
highlights.
Lucky: Sure Speedy, but
before I move on to my medical student days, I must mention that like Zita
Perera Subasinghe whom you had interviewed earlier, I too had to go through the
6 months course. Zita was among the 15 who had to do chemistry in the Science
Faculty at Thurstan Road. So, even before I got to know you, I knew Zita. As a
matter of interest, I must mention here that the first three to be featured on
“Speedy Interviews” happen to be those who did Chemistry in the 6 months
course. The other of course was Cyril Ernest.
I entered the Colombo Medical
Faculty in June 1962 and graduated in March 1967. It was 5 years of hard work,
but I enjoyed life as a medical student very much. The examinations came and
went, but there were also fun events such as the Block Seniors versus Staff
cricket match, the 2nd MB trip, Block Concert and Dance and the
Final Year trip.
Speedy: Your next move was to
serve as a Doctor. Please take us through your career path and it is always
nice to listen to any anecdotes or snippets from you about those days.
Lucky: I did my Internship
at Colombo South Hospital. One year later, I was posted to the Central VD
Clinic (now called the STD clinic) at the General Hospital, Colombo. In 1969, I
went back to Colombo South Hospital as a Medical Officer in the OPD. Soon after
I got married, I opted for a career in Public Health and was posted as an MOH
at Matara. While serving in that capacity, I was selected for a WHO Fellowship
of two years duration.
Speedy: And that Fellowship
led you to South Carolina, USA. What sort of work did you do and how much has that
experience helped you as a Doctor working in Sri Lanka? Could you also touch on
your decision which you held for a long time that you would not leave Sri Lanka
permanently? I know that you have written a lot about this and about other
aspects of your life in your book, “From Hikkaduwa to the Carolinas- Memoirs of
a Reluctant Expatriate”, (published by Karunartne& Sons Ltd 2009,
ISBN 978-955-9098-84-3), an absorbing and interesting read.
Lucky: That’s a long
question, but I will try to answer it as briefly as
possible. It would not be correct to say
that my WHO Fellowship lead me to South Carolina. I spent the period of post
graduate training at the University of California, Berkeley in 1974/75 and
graduated with a Master’s Degree in Public Health (MPH). For my course work,
apart from core courses like Epidemiology, MCH, Biostatistics etc., I did non-medical
subjects (or Behavioural Sciences) such as Sociology, Social Psychology,
Medical Anthropology and Communication. On my return to Sri Lanka at the end of
1975, I was attached to the Health Education Bureau as a Consultant Community
Physician/Health Education Specialist. In that capacity, what I studied in
Berkeley came in very handy, particularly in field work.
In the early stages of my
professional career, I never wanted to leave Sri Lanka on a permanent basis.
However, I had to change this stance later on when my children were studying
abroad and there was a social upheaval in the country. It was mainly for
economic reasons that I emigrated to USA in 1997 when Green Cards came my way.
That was when I settled down in South Carolina.
You have referred to the
publication of my Memoirs – “From Hikkaduwa to the Carolinas”. It was done on
my return to Sri Lanka soon after complete retirement in 2009. It is really a
collection of articles that were published in Sri Lanka newspapers and covers
my long journey from Hikkaduwa where I was born, to South Carolina in the US
where I found employment.
To complete my answer to your
last question regarding my professional career, I have to mention that I
retired from government service prematurely at the age of 48 to accept a
position in UNICEF. Prior to that, I had done short term consultancies for the
WHO and the Commonwealth Secretariat which took me to places like Indonesia and
Malaysia.
Speedy: Thank you Lucky. That
was a long journey indeed. You mentioned the social upheaval in the country and
economic factors which contributed so much to the “brain drain”. That I am sure
will resonate with a lot of our readers. I know you have touched on your own
personal life as a husband and father but if you don’t mind, just take us
through how you met Mangala and decided that the only life for you would be to
be with her for the rest of your life?
Lucky: Well, it was an arranged
marriage! We have been married for 47 years and I have been fortunate to have a
supportive wife by my side right along. We have a son and daughter and three
grandchildren.
Lucky: I knew that you would
come to our Batch Blog sooner or later! It was started in 2011 as part of the build
up towards our Batch Reunion that was held in Hikkaduwa to commemorate 50 years
of our entry to the Colombo Medical Faculty. It is primarily for 1962 entrants
and carries important news items, pictures, e-mail messages,
announcements etc. I am glad that even after 6 years, the blog is continuing
and helps in keeping the batch together. I would not have been able to sustain
it this long if not for the support I have received from batch colleagues like
you Speedy. You have come up with so
many new ideas to strengthen the blog’s in-built sustenance mechanism. In fact,
this new feature of “Speedy Interviews” is one of them. You conceived the idea,
conceptualised the entire exercise and put it into action. In my view, you
Speedy, and I should equally share any credit for running this blog. I am also
indebted to the regular contributors who unfortunately are just a handful. But
I do know that there are many others who visit the blog, but don’t contribute
or comment.
Speedy: Very generous of you
to recognise my help. It has been an absolute pleasure and I will continue to
do whatever I can to help you. You are now retired, spending time with your
loved ones and may I ask you how you keep yourself occupied and healthy?
Lucky: This is a question
that I am often asked by many people. In short, I now do what I want to do at
my own pace. Believe me, there are so many things that I have to do even in
retirement and quite often, I go to bed around midnight. I spend a lot of time
at the computer, watching TV, attending to minor handy work around the house
and indulging in my favourite pastime - walking.
Speedy: The secret of aging well, keep yourself mentally and physically actively engaged. And finally Lucky, what makes you “tick”? Are you philosophical, religious? Do you spend time wondering about the mysteries of life?
Lucky: I take it that what
you mean by “tick” is what keeps me going, especially in a healthy mental
state. I am neither philosophical nor overtly religious. But I do wonder at
times about so called “mysteries of life”. All I can say is that I have cut
down stress to a bare minimum and take each day as it comes. I like to be
independent as long as possible, with no bosses looking over my shoulder. It is
my personal opinion that even in retirement, it is very important that a person
should be economically independent as well. My wish is that in the end, I don’t
become a burden on my family.
Speedy: Thanks so much Lucky
for being so frank with me. I am sure that readers would find this fascinating
and absorbing. Before we conclude, could you please name five people in the
World, from past and present, you admire the most.
Lucky: That’s a difficult
one. It is impossible to name five people in the world, from past and present,
because there are so many who fall into that category. It will be grossly
unfair if I have to leave out any of them just to restrict the number to five.
So, please Speedy, let me skip that.
In conclusion, I definitely must
thank you once again for all what you have done to help me run this blog.
Speedy: You have given your
reasons and I respect that. Once again, it has been a pleasure to “talk” to you
and obtain so many insights into you and your life experience. I would like to
conclude by wishing you and Mangala continuing happiness in your life together.
For
those who like to read Episode 1 (Cyril), the link is http://colombomedgrads1962.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=cyril
http://colombomedgrads1962.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=zita+speedy+interview
