This blog (created in March 2011 by Lucky) is about new entrants to the Colombo Medical Faculty of the University of Ceylon (as it was then known) in June 1962. There were a total of 166 in the batch (included 11 from Peradeniya). Please address all communications to: colmedgrads1962@gmail.com. Header image: Courtesy Prof. Rohan Jayasekara, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo (2011 - 2014). Please use the search bar using a keyword to access what interests you
Thanks Zita- very tempting!
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ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to travel quickly and see a lot in a short time. I am an old cynic. I wonder if politics and wire pulling will get in the way of booking and the smooth running of such a fantastic service
Come on ND! You still seem to think that Sri Lanka has not changed over the years from the horrible seventies. That was the time all you guys left in hordes. For your information, there is absolutely no politics or wire pulling in matters such as booking a seat in an air taxi. Come over and see for yourself. Not just a brief visit, but try to spend some time in your land of birth, and convince yourself that you have left behind a paradise!
ReplyDeleteLucky, those of us who 'left in hordes' have more than done our bit for our beautiful country, by helping to bring our friends to visit SL, helping our needly members financially and contributing in many other ways.
DeleteZita
Lucky
DeleteMy comment was made in jest as an old cynic and in no way an attempt to denigrate SL. We left our country for a multitude of reasons ranging from financial to fear of death and persecution. So it wasn't a paradise at least for some. I wish you did not bring up this emotive topic. There has been an attempt to show that those who remained to serve the motherland as Martyrs. Those who remained also did so for a multitude of reasons including apathy and not willing to take a chance with a new life in a new country. I salute those who remained to serve the country like you and Sanath Lama have done. For many of us leaving Sri Lanka was the hardest decision we have had to make. I remember the many hours we agonised over this subject. So please be sensitive to the feelings of the many who live and work abroad when you allude to those "deserters".
As for the part played by political power, cronyism and pulling strings these are endemic in the Indian subcontinent and embedded in our culture. I agree it may not play a part in booking an airline ticket ordinarily but there is a distinct possibility one may be off-loaded to make way for a political big-wig. Now it is money that counts, for many in SL.
Please note that this comment is not written in anger but is an attempt to put the record straight.
I do not think even for a moment that Lucky wrote those comments to offend anyone but it has the propensity to do so. I wish we do not touch on this topic unless someone is willing to have a long and acrimonious debate after which there will be no winners, only losers.
Please note that this comment is a reply to many comments and articles that have appeared over the life of the Blog about doctors leaving Sri Lanka. I hope it will bring some closure and an understanding. We all live together on this planet to make it a better place for everyone.
DeleteThanks Zita. Looks a fantastic service and a lovely way of touring the Country.
ReplyDeleteThanks Zita for sending this to our blog. How can I share this with others except through our blog?
ReplyDeleteSriani Basnayake
Hi Sriani, Please copy the text below and paste it on the email to your friends.
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn0ofue0il8
Sriani, Rohini, Nihal, Mahendra,Lucky many thanks for your comments. I am glad about the discussion on why some of us left Mother Lanka. It is always important to state points for and against any argument. In the end one finds that neither action is good or bad in itself but that each has a reason for doing what they did and as we were all trained to treat human beings and these beings may live anywhere in the world, we have all done service in giving them our service. Those who left SL often returned once a year, helped their folk financially and in other ways, and worked in SL from time to time while those who remained in SL did their bit in a very admirable way so in the final analysis we have all served those who we were expected to serve and Sri Lanka has benefitted from her valuable children who trained to be doctors and 1962 was a unique intake and I may not be wrong in thinking, never has there been such a group before or since. Ok I am open to contradiction and I am not big headed. But we produced, professors, Deans, researchers, writers, and finally those humble ones amongst us who helped in every way possible especially financially for our families and other needy ones to survive in difficult times.
DeleteZita
In my comment above, I referred to a specific point in ND's comment. Just as ND says that his comment was made in jest and not to denigrate SL, mine was also done in similar mode and not to denigrate anyone. Had I known that it is such an emotive topic, I would never have written those lines. I am indeed sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I am not that patriotic as ND makes out. I too emigrated to the US in 1997 and was out for 13 years. However, by the time I did so, I had fulfilled my obligations and served the country for over 30 years.
As ND has suggested, let's close all correspondence on this subject forthwith.
Lucky, you have been my good friend since we started in the Block and will always remain so until the end of my days. None of these issues are as important as our friendship. You have maintained a wonderful Blog for which we are all grateful. Let us enjoy the happiness, companionship and the camaraderie that it brings.
DeleteLucky, we all know you are the last person to denigrate anyone and we always like to read your comments, whether they are in jest or serious.
ReplyDeleteZita
Thank you Zita. Nice to know that.
ReplyDeleteI think it was therapeutic to have had this discussion! Lucky, we all have no doubt whatsoever about your fairness and objectivity. Suffice it to say that even I have sometimes sensed a feeling that some who chose to stay back for whatever reason regard themselves above those who decided to leave in terms of love and affection for their Motherland. I shall refrain from using the word "patriotism". We all have our reasons for staying or leaving and I have never hesitated to commend those who chose to stay when , especially those who had opportunities to leave and no personal reasons to not take that decision (such as for example financing parents or family or strong family ties by the partner). The fact that Zita, ND and myself have responded shows that rightly or wrongly, we have sensed that "devaluation" at times, and let me make it clear that we are referring only to some. One thing I have learned from my 70+ years on this wonderful Blue Planet is that NO action can be judged (if one must) without understanding all the circumstances around that action, the intention ("Chetana") , the action itself and the resulting consequences. Many would come down hard on for example, a man who robbed somebody but when it came out that he was desperately trying to find some money to save his only child from dying for lack of money to purchase drugs, you begin to empathise more. Our behaviour is conditioned so much by context and circumstances and I shall NEVER rank our batchmates on the scale of love for Sri Lanka on the basis of whether they stayed or "strayed!
ReplyDeleteIt was good to have this discussion and now let us put it behind and move on!
Dear Zita, ND,Lucky, Mahendra Rohini and Sriani,
ReplyDeleteLucky sent me an e-mail and referred to this discussion and invited me to comment. I sincerely hope that my comments are NOT controversial. Although I topped the batch and passed the ECFMG examination ,I decided to remain in Sri Lanka initially because of my aged parents. They would have been extremely disappointed if I left for the US soon after the internship. I always returned home during difficult times when my leave was over. I never overstayed. In January 1975 I returned home when the country was going through a very bad phase (economically), and I never regretted it. In late 1088 I returned home(Karapitiya) after sabbatical leave at the height of the JVP uprising. In 1998 I returned home after sabbatical leave when the civil war was going on and bombs were exploding in Colombo . On all 3 occasions there were very lucrative job offers which I turned down. Although initially I did not leave the country because of my aged parents, later I returned home for the love of the country. I have never ever regretted my decisions. Some who have left the country continue to contribute to our motherland in many ways. Dr B.Panagamuwa is an excellent example. There are a few expatriates who visit us ,have a good time socially and leave. That is their right and their choice and we cannot blame them. Let not individual human behaviour interfere with our long standing friendships at this time of our lives when all of us are in the departure lounge hoping that the departing flight would be late!
Sanath
Well said Lama! Long may friendships last and let us accept people for what they are.
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