Cyril Ernest's sporting career

I had my early education at St. Mary's College, Negombo, where I played for the school cricket team and also played for Negombo United cricket club in the Daily News Trophy tournament as a 15 and 16 year old. In 1958, I was selected to play on the Rest team under Kingsley Fernando (St. Sebastians) in the National inter-schools cricket championship. It was a quadrangular tourney between Colombo North Schools, Colombo South Schools, Kandy Schools and the Rest of Ceylon. We beat the highly favoured Colombo North Schools in our first game and went on to meet the Colombo South Schools in the finals which I believe was captained by Michael Tissera. We lost to them in the finals. I top scored with 66 runs in the game against Colombo North in the first innings and also batted well against the Colombo South team.

After this cricket encounter my Dad took me to St. Josephs College, Colombo to enter this school to pursue my studies and sports. My Dad knew the then Rector of St. Joseph's College, Fr. Peter Pillai very well. However, when we went to meet him he was away in England. So we ended up at St. Benedict's College, and I was accepted as a student by Rev. Br. Alban Patrick.

I was boarded at the College hostel which enabled me to participate in sports as well as pursue my studies.I represented St. Benedict's in cricket, hockey, tennis, and track and field at the highest level in inter-school competition.My first encounter in school cricket at St. Benedict's was against St. Thomas' College in 1959.They were a formidable side. I went in to bat at the fall of the 7th wicket, and I put on a partnership with Anton Abeysekera of over 50 runs to take our score to some state of respectability.Anton was not out at 45 runs.We did lose this game.My first captain was Lionel Fernando, and I remember the game against St. Anne's College, Kurunegala played in Kotahena when Lionel scored 204 runs not out and took all 10 wicketsin the first innings and 7 wickets in the second innings - considered a world record at the time.I fielded at leg slip and took 3 or 4 catches off his bowling.I scored several half centuries during my career at St. Benedict's as an opening batsman, with ahighest score of 71 against St. Joseph’s. My best bowling figures was against Royal College when I grabbed 5 wicket in the first innings in the 1960 encounter.In our match against Royal College in 1959, LorenszPerera scored adashing century. I was out to two brilliant catches by Michael Dias in each innings. The Bens-Josephian encounter of 1959 is well-remembered. St. Benedict’s had not beaten St. Joseph’s for a very long time (last being in 1917), and we were on the verge of winning this encounter, but we dropped two vital catches. Josephians’, Cedric Direckze and Nihal Samarawickrema somehow survived, and not only did they save the game but went on to win it as well.

In hockey at St. Benedict’s I played right-half. We were coached by the famous Brian Assey, and we had a very good side. He was our Chemistry teacher, and he also played for Ceylon. From the 1959-60 sides, there were six/seven Benedictines who represented Ceylon in hockey. The names that come to mind are Rex Sebastian, Batcho Selvaraj, W. Charles, Anthony MacIntyre, the Fernando brothers (Stanley, Homer, and Subash), and NattarAssissi. Our main rivals were St. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, as they used to give us a good fight in hockey. We were National Champs in 1959 and 1960. In tennis, I played in the public schools tournament and in doubles my partner was Shiran Pieris. We lost to the eventual champions, NavinGuneratne and Lal Senaratne, in the quarter-finals in 1959. In Track and Field, I represented college at the public schools championships, having qualified by coming second to Warna Fernando in the Western Province North Group meet. I can recall those whom I competed against as Ranjit Samarasekera (Antontian), Anton Perera (Peterite), R. U. Liyanage (St. Thomas’ Matale), Lorensz DaSilva (St. Thomas’ Mount Lavinia), and Warna Fernando (Ananda).

In cricket, Mr. Bertie Wijesinghe was our coach, and Mr. Felix Fernando was our master-in-charge. We were really fortunate to have been coached and trained by them. I remember how Mr. Wijesinghe went about his coaching, all about basics – we had to do batting drills with concentration on ball after ball. It was the same with bowling. I was trained as an off-spin bowler by him. The art of flight, accuracy, and planning before each ball was bowled, studying the batsman and how to outsmart him, were all part of the drills. We had to repeat these steps with sheer concentration and focus on what was delivered. 

In 1960, St. Benedict’s 1^st XI was captained by Elmo Rodrigopulle, and Ranjit Fernando was my opening batting partner. The team was comprised of Allen Gunesekera, Sanath Jayawardena, Winston Dissanayake, Ranjit Perumal, QuintasPerera, Gordon Dissanayake, Cecil Saverimuthu, Nihal Fernandopulle, Nihal Zoysa, Nihal Amerasinghe, Percy Perera, Fredrick Silva, and Chandra Ramanathan. Bede Puvimansinghe was our Prefect of Games, and Bertie Wijesinghe remained as our coach. In that year, we recorded on of the famous wins against St. Peter’s where Elmo got a hat trick, and I also got a few wickets. St. Peter’s were led by AdielAnghie. St. Peter’s also had a very good side. St. Anthony’s, under Charlie Joseph, also another good side. St. Joseph’s too, was another formidable side. They had Brian Perumal and I remember scoring consecutive boundaries off him on a matting wicket, that didn’t please him much. Then, St. Thomas’, under my good friend Dr. LareefIdroos, we lost once again to the Thomians that year. If not mistaken, I scored 34 runs in the first innings and 64 in the second innings. I would like to mention the support we got from the Benedictine supporters led by Kenneth Dabrera at Kotahena. 1961 was my last season at St. Benedict’s. 1961 was my last season at College as I entered the University that year.. I should mention  the great teachers who taught me at St. Benedict’s – Rev. Br. Theodoret, Mr. RH Phillips (Physics), Mr. Brian Assey {Chemistry), Mr. Peter Fernando ( Zoology) and Mr. Thillainathan ( Botany).

I entered Medical College in 1962 and my Dad Christopher Ernest died when I was in the 3^rd. MBBS class. In the University combining sports with the studies was not easy. However I pursued my sports career representing the University in cricket and hockey.In 1962/63 season we won the Sara Trophy in cricket – the one and only time the University had won this National championship. Our cricket team had an array of schoolboy stars and we blended well together under the leadership of Carlyle Perera. The team comprised of Buddy Reid, Nihal Gurusinghe,Mohanlal Fernando, LareefIdroos,HarshaSamarajiva,URPGoonetilleke,V. Sivanandan,Nanda Senanayake, KitthaWimalaratne, MerrilGunaratne, Mano Ponniah, NJS de Mel and myself. Kingsley Fernando played a few games. Our fielding was superb. We were rewarded with a tour to Singapore and Malaysia for winning the Sara Trophy and we did extremely well on this tour. Our hockey team also won the Andriesz shield in the premier hockey tournament in Ceylon during our time. I captained the University team in 1967 my final year. I also captained the Ceylon University team to India for the inter University tournament in 1966.

While in the University, I was selected to play in the Up Country XI against Pakistan in Kandy. The Pakistan team was captained by Imtiaz Ahmed and had IntikhabAlam, JavedBurki, Asif Iqbal amongst others. I was also on the Ceylon side in 1969 under the captaincy of Michael Tissera when we beat Colin Cowdrey’s MCC team. I had the privilege of getting the wickets of Colin Cowdrey and Basil D’Oliviera. I also played against Madras in the Gopalan Trophy representing Ceylon  and scored 45 not out to help Ceylon beat Madras. I also toured India with the Ceylon Govt. Services team under DH De Silva in 1969 and also played against Joe Lister’s International side. After leaving the University, I played for the NCC and subsequently joinining the Air Force on the Adastrians team. I captained the Adastrians and also the Combined Services team in the Robert Senanayake tournament. Prior to joining the Air Force I was a regular member of the Govt. Services side and we won the Robert Senanayake championships on two consecutive years. In the Air Force, I captained the side which won the Inter Services cricket tourney and also playing on the Hockey team we won the Inter Services Hockey championship. I was selected to play on the Ceylon side in cricket against the visiting Pakistan team in 1971, however the Pakistan team did not come to Ceylon when war broke out against India over the Bangladesh problem.

I left Ceylon in Feb. 1972, and landed in New York where my buddy LareefIdroos picked me up from the JFK airport. I was in New York for 5 years where I qualified in Internal Medicine and got my sub speciality degree in Cardiology. The 5 years spent in New York were very tough years and I did not have any time for cricket. After finishing my training in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, I moved to California with my family. I have since remained in California. Once in California I resumed playing cricket in the local tournament and I was a member of a Sri Lankan club – Colts. In 1979 I was selected to play on the USA team against Canada along with LareefIdroos and C. Balakrishnan. This match was in Vancouver.We lost to Canada by a bare margin. Subsequently , I was selected to play on the USA National team in 1982 in Birmingham , England for the ICC trophy. Zimbabwe won this tournament and they were able to advance to playing test cricket. Lareef, Bala and myself have had the distinction of playing International cricket for 2 countries –Ceylon and USA.

Even with a very busy private practice in Cardiology, I still pursued some of my other sports exploits – long distance running and martial arts. I have run 4 marathons -2 in Honolulu, one in Los Angeles and in Beijing, China. I am also a 2^nd. Degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. I was involved on the administrative side of USA cricket and at one time I was the manager of the USA team and also chairman of selectors..

My wife Indranie is also a doctor and she still works full time. My daughters Cheryl and Melanie are also in California and they are pursuing careers in Psychiatry. We do travel quite extensively, and at the last count we have travelled to over 95 Countries and hope to make it to a hundred.

We have been living in California since 1977. Looking back, the times I spent at St. Benedict’s College have been the most wonderful years. The discipline, education and the environment we grew up in under the tutelage of the Christian Brothers has indeed helped us immensely in our lives. We are truly indebted to them for affording us this privilege.

Remembrance Day 2020 (cont)

By Kumar Gunawardene

ND’S passionate eulogy and Mahen’s soulful music, for those gone before, induced an anguish intensified by the prevalent gloom.

But then I found solace in Khalil Gibran’s words ;

“ When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart and you shall see in truth, you are weeping for that which has been your delight”

Sunna was the first and closest. I paused the video clip at his image and reflected upon the high tide of our friendship, the intern year in Galle. I was lost for words and fell back on W.B.Yeat’s deathless words;

“Think where a man’s glory

 most begins and ends ,

and say my glory was

I had such friends”

I did not walk the wards nor spend sleepless nights in the surgical casualty ward with Sunna as I did with Irwin and our group. Mostly it was gainful learning, but there was also despair at our lapses. We did not observe in that packed ward, a head injury patient closely enough and in the early hours of the morning, he had a fixed dilated pupil. Darrel Weiman was  furious with the intern and threatened dire consequences. Drogo Austin the consultant pacified our man saying DW was my junior, I will sort him out. The hapless intern went onto become a distinguished surgeon.

Years later I met Irwin and his family at dinner in my brother’s home in Canberra. He was a successful GP; we had a great time swapping yarns.

Joyous memories of many others abound.

Chandrasiri, who in his inimitable way taught Bora and me surgery while lying sprawled on my Bloemfontein bunk;

Tilak D with an impish streak behind a gentle facade who twisted my arm to visit a colleague an Audrey Hepburn look - alike;

Russel P and Kamali brilliant but unassuming;

Dawn whose late arrival at lectures was greeted with loud stamping of feet;

Sue R ethereal, who in spite of her sadness was always gracious and helpful;

Desmond  my mate from the School by the sea with a secret sorrow, still sailing buoyantly;

Jaimon, Sidath, HN, and Kunasingham affable, jovial, wearing their sporting laurels lightly;

Rasaque and Ranjit K smiling perpetually and provoking laughter;

The others unsung but honoured nonetheless;

To all of them who touched our lives

I bow my head in remembrance and pray gently; also to all our teachers; many of whom we were in awe of, some whom we feared, some revered, many admired; but grateful to all for their guidance and helping hands, they who in the manner of the potter moulded us to become what we are.

We must remember Wordsworth's words and cherish and foster what we have.

“Though nothing can bring back the hour

Of splendour in the grass,

We will grieve not, rather find,

Strength in what remains behind”.

My Special Memories

  By Nihal D Amerasekera

The demise of friends cast a dark shadow over those years in the Faculty. Amidst the sadness that ensues, there is also some solace in reminiscing. When I achieve those special milestones of living longer, I think of those who didn’t quite make it. On this Remembrance Day those memories occupy my every waking thought. 

We had around 150 in our batch. I knew them all, some just by sight and many others by close association due to alphabetical seating arrangement, studying together, being from the same school and living in the same vicinity etc. The friendships and closeness that we enjoyed have lasted a lifetime. Remembrance Day is a day to remember all the batch-mates that have passed on. Each one of us will have special and fond memories of those most near and dear. I would like to pay a special tribute to those who were very close to me.

Bernard Randeniya: At Medical College he was known as RADW Bernard. Although we were in the same year, I got to know Bernard when my parents moved to his home town of Wattala in 1963. We struck up a friendship which lasted a lifetime. He was a noted bon viveur, delightful company and a person with extraordinary charm. Flashy and flamboyant, Bernard enjoyed all the good things in life, good food, good drink and good music. He endeared himself to many by his chubby face, mischievous eyes and cheeky manner. I was incredibly flattered to host him in England on his visit to a conference. We reminisced deep into the night of our lives and our times and the wonderful friendship we enjoyed. He was a deeply religious person and lived a true Christian life. Brought up in the staunch Roman Catholic tradition, he never missed church on a Sunday. In early 1999 when we met up in Colombo, tears welled as he gave me the sad news of his illness which proved terminal. I kept in touch with him and admire his courage until the very end. He passed away with great dignity in November 1999 at the age of 58 years. His cheeky grin, sense of mischief and infectious laugh are precious memories. He was a wonderful man and far too young to leave us. Thank you for those wonderful memories. Au revoir!

Sivakumar Vedavanam:  I got to know “Veda” when we worked together in the Central Blood Bank in Colombo. I recall the many evenings we drifted towards the Health Department Sports Club to enjoy the amber nectar and put the world to right. That was a time when the Medical Officer in the Blood Bank had to go to all parts of our island to collect blood. On many occasions when he went on these journeys he asked me to join him for company. He was indeed great company and we did have a jolly good time. During those trips, he showed tremendous kindness to the Public Health Inspectors, attendants and labourers who were part of the team. They loved him for his modesty, classless friendship and lavish hospitality. Those were indeed memorable years. Veda was not an overtly religious person but had a good understanding of the Hindu philosophy. Even as a young man, he lead a virtuous and moral life. Veda accepted the ups and downs of life with good grace. I will always remember him as a helpful and loyal friend. I do regret not remaining close to him in later years. Veda had a heart of gold and was a truly remarkable person. Adios amigo.

A. Satchithananda: He was a highly cultured person of great intelligence. Satchi was urbane and warm, with a small circle of close friends. We became pals playing table tennis at the Faculty Common Room. That was the beginning of many years of friendship. Being fans of the early Apple Computers we caught up again.They were then cheap and cheerful and often disastrously unreliable. He had then moved to Wisconsin in the USA. We found ways to keep them going. Satchi was a clever and respected paediatrician when he walked away from the profession due to ill-health. He was then at the height of his fame and success. He wasn’t overtly religious but lead a principled life. His journey through life was studded with sadness and tragedy, but he always managed to smile and joke with friends. I remember well his charm and intellect. We met up in London and enjoyed a lunch exchanging gifts. His present to me was a Gorecki’s 3^rd Symphony, a sorrowful piece of work. Understandably,  the events of his past and his own illness had a devastating effect on his life and his personality. Despite this, he maintained his dignity and composure remaining a loyal friend to the end. He indeed stood above the common herd. Auf wiedersehenmy friend.

RazaqueAhamat: We both lived in Wattala. With a personality bigger than his waistline he always had a fund of stories to relate. During those years, what stands out is his helpful kindness, his great sense of humour and charming convivial nature. All through those years in the Faculty, he enjoyed life to the full. He joined in the many dances, Colours Night and Block Nights that brightened up our lives. Razaque was often one of the last of the stragglers to leave the King George’s Hall at the break of dawn. His life then was an amalgam of experiences which he was ever willing to relate, no holds barred. Those who attended the London Batch Reunion in the 1990’s will remember Razaque for his dazzling display of the Scottish kilt with knee-length skirt and long thick stockings. This costume suited the big man to a tee. Razaque’s love of a good time never left him. He bore his ever debilitating and restrictive illness, stoically. He brought joy to our lives and his was a life well lived. Razaque is sorely missed. Adieu until we meet again.

H.N Wickramasinghe: I was surprised and delighted to see him in the Paediatric ward in Kurunegala to start his internship in June 1967. For the following 6 months, we were to save lives together. I remember enjoying his engaging and entertaining chatter on our first pay day when we walked to the Kurunegala Rest House for a beer. He had an irrepressible zest for life and added colour and depth to our conversation. This became a regular ritual until he left Kurunegala. Firm, honest, tough and reliable, I couldn’t have asked for a better colleague. My abiding memory of those times is our evening drinks together and the CT Fernando songs we sang into the stillness of the night. I wish there were smartphones to capture and treasure those moments. Sadly, we met again only once when we chatted and reminisced and wandered into the idealism and exuberance of our youth. HNW cut a smooth and genial figure and would live in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew him. A truly wonderful and inspiring friend, it brings me great sadness to think I will not be seeing that ever-smiling face again. Goodbye my friend.

Priya Gunaratna: I got to know Priya in 1967 in Kurunegala doing those arduous tasks of internship. I would describe her as fascinating, funny and frank. While at work, she had the great ability to remain calm and in control.  Learning and authority rested uneasily on her shoulders. Unassuming, but also strong-willed, Priya was principled. She showed tremendous kindness, courtesy and patience to the children in her care and also to their worried parents. Priya’s care and affection was most touching. She saw only the best in others and was indeed a very special person. She was enormous fun and a breath of fresh air in a rather stuffy environment when females were too shy and overtly prudish. Priya was witty and warm and had a delightful sense of humour. She was an excellent raconteur and mimic, whose stories about the interesting people she met and episodes in her life invariably became the focus of our chat at tea breaks and we laughed a lot. What was most striking about Priya was that she never had a harsh word for anyone. Sadly, our paths never crossed since those halcyon days. I am reliably informed she had a fine and remarkable life. Arrivederci Priya. May peace be with you forevermore.

Remembrance Day 2020

Remembrance Day

The 30th of May is the day we remember our dear departed friends from our batch. This is now a special date in our Calendar. We have most aptly called this our “Remembrance Day.”

In honour of our departed colleagues, Nihal Amarasekera (ND) has written two articles,  the first of which appears today (23rd) with Mahendra Gonsalkorale’s (Speedy) musical video with lyrics adapted from Nihal’s article.  ND’s second article in which he pays a special tribute to some departed colleagues who were very close to him appears on the 26^th of this month.

Lakshman Abeyagunawardene, Blog Administrator

Speedy YouTube video link:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L8LluqYCTQ

Note by BA: Recommend watching on full screen.

Remembrance Day

By Nihal D Amerasekera

I am overwhelmed by nostalgia as I reminisce those days in the Faculty.  I remember with a sense of loss a kinder gentler world which disappeared forever as I left medical school. The most painful of all is the disappearance from my life the people who meant so much to me,  my friends. I stepped on the treadmill to carve myself a career and raise a family. Now having reached the end of my working life I still yearn for those days even though more than fifty years have passed me by. We were so much a part of the Faculty and the GHC, the voices and laughter of those departed must still echo in the ether of the hallowed grounds.

The 30th of May is the day we remember our dear departed friends from our batch. This is now a special date in our Calendar. We have most aptly called this our “Remembrance Day.” I will indeed bow my head in remembrance of my friends and celebrate their lives. The gnawing pain of the loss of friends never eases with the passage of time. Friendships are one of life’s rich gifts. Those made and firmed in our youth are very special and are for life. They left us prompting great sadness; however, they leave behind fond and unique memories.

Nowadays there is a certain stillness that lingers over the morning cup of coffee. It is then I wish to turn back the clock to the early 1960’s when we were all together. There is a wish to walk the corridors of the GHC, enter the lecture theatres and enjoy a tea at the Common Room. Without that relentless chase for knowledge, the journey back would be fascinating and fun.

At this time we think of the spouses and families of those who have departed this life. They have had the immensely difficult and painful task of coming to terms with living without their loved ones. We admire and commend their courage and efforts to maintain contact and join our gatherings and reunions. They are an integral part of our community and will always be welcome.

The Faculty was our Temple of Wisdom. Our jagged path from the dissections in the Block to the ward classes and appointments across Kynsey Road, we did them all together. We feel

greatly privileged to have been taught by some remarkable teachers.  The harsh environment taught us to focus under pressure and develop an analytical mind. It gave us an indomitable spirit for the rigours ahead. We remember them (all except Prof. Priyani Soysa not in the land of the living today) with much affection and gratitude. We thank them for their commitment to teaching. We take the opportunity to remember our teachers on this our special day. My abiding memory of those years are the long walks along those hospital corridors swinging a knee hammer and proudly wearing the stethoscope around the neck. There was an air of confidence and a touch of vanity which came from being a medical student. There are times I still pine for the bohemian life we enjoyed in the Faculty.

Considering the quirks and achievements, our batch was unique. Although my career path was never as distinguished as those of some of my contemporaries, still, my claim to fame is that I once walked amongst them! Each and everyone of us has played a part professionally to serve society and the community wherever we have lived and worked. The academic accomplishments and the professional success we see as we look around, speak for themselves.

This list below is an expanding catalogue. We are moving onwards on our long and tortuous journey through life. The peaks and plateaus and the twists and turns seem to daunt us less. Still there are several challenges ahead. Despite life’s vain tumults, none of us is here forever. Our time will come. I share this not to garner pity, but to paint our new reality. The show must go on until the curtain falls.

Now in the autumn of our lives, we are in the grip of events much of it beyond our control. If we need another reminder, Covid-19 has shown us the fragility of life. Meanwhile, we must endure and enjoy life, family and friends. Farewells, Reunions and Get-togethers are invaluable. The latest in our attempts to keep in touch has been the social medium of Zoom. Do join and make every attempt to maintain contact.