Dear Friends,
Senerat has just called me with the sad news that our dear friend and classmate Punsiri Fernando had passed away a little while ago. As most of you know, Punsiri was battling cancer of the prostate for quite some time.
Funeral arrangements will be notified later.
Lucky
Thanks for informing us Lucky. I knew of his illness and have seen him at home on my visits to Sri Lanka. He was a keen stamp collector and I used to send him stamps for his collection, for which he was always most appreciative. I will remember him mostly for his wicked sense of humour. I know that he reached great heights in his career in Public Health in Sri Lanka becoming the Head of the Anti Malaria campaign. May he rest in Peace.
ReplyDeleteApart from what Speedy has written above, I have received the following messages from members of the batch.
ReplyDeleteNadarajah
Sorry to hear of the loss of another friend and batchmate. Please convey our deepest sympathies to the family
Ravi Nadaraja
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Kusuma Ruberu Jayasuriya
thanks lucky.
hope to see you soon
regards
kusuma
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Zita Perera Subasinghe
It's a sad fact of life isn't it, that our members are disappearing fast. Such a lovely person, was, Punsiri. Sorry I can't imagine writing in the past tense. Thanks, Lucky for letting us know. I'll write something on the blog. I am writing a small article to send too. Hopefully I'll finish it tonight. But I have not started yet!
Thanks again!
Zita
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Ranjith Dambawinne
Oh Lucky!
This is very sad news indeed!
This man, I recall, had a very keen, and subtle sense of humour! I treasured every moment of his company and he often had me, and others in 'stitches of laughter'!!
Many years ago, we worked in Ragama (CNGH) Hospital. ******************************************************************
N. Balasubramaniam
Thanks for the information.
May his soul rest in peace.
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Sumathipala
Hi ,Lucky
Sorry to hear about Punsiri's death.
It is a pity that I never met Punsiri after I left the medical School.
All I knew about him was through your hard work(complying the 1962 batch mates whereabouts.
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Shanthy Edwards
Dear Lucky
I can't believe another one from our batch gone!
Please pass my heartfelt condolences to the family.
Another reminder to all of us to make the most of our lives on earth.
God Bless
Shanthy
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Indra Anandasabapathy
Sad news . Nice man.
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Cyril Ernest
Hi Lucky,
Sorry indeed to hear about the passing of Punsiri.He was a very funny guy with a dry sense of humour.I knew him very closely through the years in Medical School - in Peradeniya, Bloem and later during our internship when we were at Castle Street hospital.Unfortunately since leaving Sri Lanka I have not had the opportunity to meet him. I was hoping he would attend the re union of our batch in Hikkaduwa, but it was not to be.Please convey our sympathies to his family.One by one our classmates are departing and it is becoming too close for our comfort.
Cyril and Indranie Ernest.
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ND Amerasekera
Lucky
Thanks for the info
I have written a short tribute for Punsiri
ND
I have posted ND's tribute separately.
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Sad news!. I just can't believe Punsiri is no more. I remember him so well as a unique member of our batch, a thorough gentleman, very competent and always contributing his bit to any subject.
ReplyDeleteZita