An Open Letter to Mahendra (Speedy) Gonsalkorale

This letter addressed to Speedy by ND was originally meant to be a comment under one of ND's recent posts. However, he has changed his mind and thought that all members of our batch should read this. Therefore, it is now being published as an open letter.

*************************************************************************

Dear Mahen,

 

You have always been most kind asking me to write my memoirs. I have been overwhelmed by the generous comments of my batchmates. I wish I can sing like Mahen, play the piano like Zita , paint like Lucky W and Bunter and manage the Blog so well like Lucky Abey. 

No one really will want to know about my drab life.  I was a scraggy kid born in a distant hamlet in a deep valley in Kegalle.  We were surrounded by tall mountains. Every morning when I opened my bedroom window I saw Utuwankanda, the home of the infamous bandit Saradiel (1832-64).  He had a profound influence on my young life. Even now when I pass a jewellery shop  those powerful primal instincts resurface.  The only reason why I haven’t yielded to temptation is because I don’t want to lose my GMC registration.

In my youth I lived close to nature.  The eco-friendly existence amidst its great benefits has its hazards too.  The spacing and the direction of the feet in the squatting plates left a lot to be desired. I am well aware these are minor issues during such emergencies.  

For me this was a time of great spirituality.  I provided free food and lodging to numerous friends who were totally dependent on my generosity like , Ascaris lumbricoides, Taenia solium, ‎Ancylostoma duodenale, Strongyloides stercoralis. Enterobius vermicularis and Entamoeba histolytica. Some have specifically asked me not to name them and I have acceded to their request reluctantly. They have also made a plea not to call them parasites.  They say it is a misnomer. It is just their livelihood. We maintained an open house. My generosity extended to stragglers and occasional visitors Cimex lectularius, Pediculus humanus capitis, and Sarcoptes scabiei. There were  those who flew in for a meal like Culex fatigans, Anopheles and  Aedes aegypti.  I have had a love-hate relationship with Wuchereria bancrofti, and Brugia malayi.  The rest have now been friends for life.  So far I have escaped the medical consequences of the unrelenting demands of my unusual  friends. Despite the many close-encounters by day and night I have never invited Phthirus pubis. I know that must surprise many of you!! 

 I have lead an altruistic life.  As a septuagenarian I always have one eye on my next life.  I hope my un-selfishness, hospitality and benevolence will give me enough Brownie points to achieve that Ultimate Bliss of Nirvana. 

Acknowledgements:

I am deeply indebted to Prof AS Dissanaike. I drew much inspiration from his lectures and life. To teach to remember for over 50 + years the names of those ‘unwanted guests’ is a minor miracle. May he find Eternal Peace. 

For whom the Bell Tolls:

• Mahen for his support, enthusiasm and CPR for the Blog to keep it alive.
• The few who contribute and comment without whom the Blog will perish.

Warm regards 

Nihal D Amerasekera