By Appu Sumathipala
Kumar, I have
done my best to document the names of the inmates, during my stay in good old
Bloem. I have no idea how we got the name Bloemfontein. Was there some donor from
South Africa, native to the Capital of Orange Free state (name Free State
subsequently)?
It is with
great regret that I have to tell you that I was not aware of either Bora or you
during my stay at Bloem. I entered Bloem in my third year and had to undergo a
minimal rag, which lasted less than a week. We had a mixture of students from
the first year to the final year. As far as I remember, all were Medical
students.
Our Warden was
Prof Ranaya, and the Sub Warden was Dr Fernando who was Demonstrator in
Physiology. After his departure,Dr.Kularatne,one of Ranaya’s Registrars, took
his place.
I was the “BUTH
MASTER” for two consecutive months and had the key to the telephone lock.I made
sure that no one got away without paying for the calls.
I have a good
memory of a vast number of the residents,upto now. They were,Marcus Fonseka,
Jayasekera brothers,Makuloluwa brothers, P Kandiah,ChrstiKarunakaran,Edwin
Kirubaratnam,S L Manawadu(known as SAL Manawadu),Nadanachandran(Neuro-Surgeon
in Australia), Milroy Nanayakkara(Married Actress PunyaHeendeniya),P N
Neelaranjitharaj,L W Ratnam,Sabanayagam,A E Singaratnam,Sivarajasingham,Milton
Solonga,DenilWickramasuriya(President of the Hostel). They were from the 1960
batch.I might have missed a few.
The 1961 batch
included D S C Arulanandan,A H de Silva(Ex-Thomian),Ganeshamoorthy,V
Srikantha,N Satchithanandan,Yogaraj,Vivekananthan (better known as DOC VIVE), Sam Zoysa, RB Lena.
Some names have evaporated from my memory.
The1962 batch
was unique with multiple Professors and Consultants,all over the world. It included
Con Bala,Bora,Cyril Ernest,Kumar,N S Jayawicrama, K Srikanthaand me(AHTS).
1963 Batch
included P A de Silva, MHR Deen,P S Jayaratna,MNDP Jayathilake(secretary),Asoka
Thenabadu,Thiagaraj(MNDP’s rowing partner) Eardley Weelathgamuwa. Some names
have evaporated from my brain.
1964Batch.CJAmarasuriya,Arulanandan,Jayasiri
Fernando and his roommate another Fernando,Sockkanathan and my
roommate,Lafeer?.Few more namesonce again evaporated from my brain.
We also had
Walter Jayasinghe from 1958 batch, famous N Rasalingam who served in NZ until
his demise. I remember one Valikantha,who passed away,in his prime of life from
cirrhosis.
The behaviour
of our Srikantha and the big lad Sivarasingham were atrocious under the
influence of ethanol, especially after their late nights.Dinner plates were
often smashed, and the sub Warden was blind to their mischievous behaviour—both
escaped expulsion. When sober,Sivarajasingham was a gentle giant.
These are just
a few of my memories from my Bloem days.
This is Sumathi's maiden contribution to the batch blog. He is a regular with comments on practically every post. Welcome Sumathi!
ReplyDeleteIt is just that the alphabetical order prevented me from getting closer to Sumathi. He is what I call a nice guy.
Welcome to the direct contributors guild, very exclusive but very open at the same tine! I shall try and remember any interesting associations with Bloem. I do remember Vallikantha who drank himself to death. He was a nice guy too. Was he s friend of Wijedoru?
ReplyDeleteSpeedy,Valikantha's. room mates name sounds like Wignarajah or Wigneswaran.Poor Valikantha had no help from his peers,nor the Medical Specialists.The Alcoholic addiction was never heard of and no one paid attention to a colleague in great trouble.Drinking gallons of Spirit was considered as a joke.I have forgotten another name that was very familiar,namely B.Lena,who did rowing.He married our multi-talented,Sujatha.I am sure everyone in our batch new about the relationship and the subsequent marriage.
DeleteThank you,Lucky for your excellent comment.Sorry there was a misspelling of BATH as BUTH.Names of Nalin Nanayakkara and Bernard Randeniya were missing from our batch.From 1961 batch,unforgettable US Walgama and MBS de Silva,whom I knew well were not in my brain at the time of drafting.Thanks,to Lucky for pointing those names to me in a private messaging.I,regret very much about those omissions.Upali Sanath Walgama migrated to US and I am aware that Lucky has frequent contacts with him.
ReplyDeleteSumathi.
Sumathy
ReplyDeleteThat was a wonderful memory of the often infamous Bloem. My recollection is that in those days it was painted a fearsome dark blue. It had a notorious reputation, probably overtly exaggerated. The place erupted during the freshers's rag and was a hotbed of activity. Its community spirit, camaraderie and unity were legendary. I avoided its precincts like the plague until Nalin Nana and Bernard R moved in, when I became a regular visitor. It may not be an exaggeration to say that on weekends there was a stale smell of Arrack that wafted across its corridors. During my visits I found the Bloemites friendly and helpful ever ready for some fun and laughter.
I met Eardley Wilathgamuwa in London where he is a successful GP in the posh part of Chelsea.
Thank you Sumathy for your wonderful memories of a time now long gone.
Sumathi, I enjoyed your maiden contribution very much. When I was the Dean(2002-2005), I was holidaying in Arugam Bay with my late wife Buddhika. Our elder son Shamin who was a final year medical student and a resident of Bloemfontein at that time, gave me a call one night and informed me that there was a riot in the hostel, between the Medical Faculty students and Science Faculty students. I could hear the sound of broken glass etc. in the background.I requested him to call the warden, Dr. R. Ajanthan. He summoned the police from the Cinnamon Garden police station, who brought the situation under control very quickly.
ReplyDeleteWhen I visited the premises after returning to Colombo, I was greeted with a lot of broken glass and furniture. Fortunately there were no injuries. I raised the matter with the University Council the next day and got the science students evicted from Bloemfontein.
At present one entire wing is occupied by girls!In all the medical faculties in Sri Lanka, girls outnumber the boys 3 to 1.
I owe a lot to the Bloem because that is where I studied for the Final Exam. I was there for a month and my roommate was Bernard. Nalin Nana was Bernard's normal roommate but his parents wanted him to be at home during the last month or so. Bernard and I used to share a packet of rice and curry delivered by Rani (Bernard's fiancee at the time). Prior to that I used to visit Upali Walgama and MBS in their room.
ReplyDeleteSumathi and Lucky, as you may know MBS was my neighbour down 42nd Lane
ReplyDeleteOf course I knew!
DeleteLama,it was a pity to hear about the riot between the science faculty and the medics.The rivalries were certain to happen when non medics
ReplyDeleteare accomodated.The only incident that I was aware of was the fight between the Bloemites and the Colleague House students who were housed,in order to allow science students to occupy the College house.Then Vice Chancellor Prof Attygalle took strong action and expelled a couple of Bloemites.By the way,since the publication of my article,several names started to come back to my mind.GC Reginold(1961),LAW Sirisena & B Waidyasekera(1963).Both did well in studied and became Consultants in OBS&GYN and Psychiatry,respectively.Both were Marxists and remained as roommates.Lucky!I was not aware that you were a short term resident at Bloem.Nihal,you mentioned about Bloem hostel been an infamous place to be in.I too had the same feeling in early days and as I because a senior student,I got rid of the fear of applying to be considered for entrance.As a 2nd MB student I dared to look at the hostel,whenever,I cycled alone that road.There were some who enjoyed liquor at the week ends.We had drinking parties following the Final exam results.Also enjoyed going to Maradana to have a meal of Dosa.
Does anybody know how Bloemfontein got that name? I tried searching the web but couldn't find the answer. There is a lot of information but how it got that name remains a mystery to me. Do you know the answer Sanath, or find out from a contact if you don't know?
ReplyDeleteSumathi, Thank you for your memories of Bloem . Those were days when we dared not cast an accidental glance in that direction, and now to think there are girls resident there !
ReplyDeleteHow times have changed ! Good to see you post your memories.
Hi Sumathi
ReplyDeleteGood debut,brought back many memories.I was at Blom for six months and left in March '67 after the finals.My room mate not surprisingly was Kumar.with his permission I managed to persuade Jonny Chandrasiri to be our room guest and do combined studies.After a few weeks realised that it was an excellent move and we benefitted immensely.Very sad that he is no longer with us.
I agree Sivarajasingham was a gentle giant and even better after a few drinks.Thanks to him I avoided the Rag.I vaguely remember Norman Sri Kantha telling us how Siva and Marcus visited the undertaker Highlands Mudalali one evening, had one too many to drink and spent the night inside two coffins,fortunately they managed to wake up the next morning.
I remember Rathini Mather (1960),Wicremachandran,Annesley AbeysiriGunawardena(1961}, Katugampola(1963),Christopher DeSilva and Rashid(1965) at the Blom.
Thanks,Bora for bringing some more names to the list of our contemporaries.During the last few days,my dormant neurons and the motor cortex has started to reactivate.Some of the names that came up were Nathaniel,Piyasena Liyanage,SH Abdul Majeed(From Samanthuri in the Eastern Province)(1961)Kaleel from Mannar(1965)
ReplyDeleteI was visualizing the figure of Mather,but the name did not come to my mind.Marcus kept the stories going on endless after dinner at the ground floor.I met Marcus in Warwick,when he was a Registrar in Psychiatry in a local hospital.As far as the studies were concerned,I made use of the Medical Library,most of the time.I,just could not keep awake after the dinner to do my studies ,in my room,where as my room mate,Lafeer,kept the mid night oil,burning.Rohini,Bloem was not only infamous,but also was a fearsome place.before our time.Residents became studious,albeit,a few who were labelled as "CHRONICS"By the way,I was made to understand that our Srianne Dias(Fernando)was a neighbour.Pity,I never had a chance to have a tete-ta-tete at her residence.
Sorry,Nihal for my failure to appreciate your comments.I never new that you have been sneaking into meet Claude.We used to have -several non Bloemites visiting to see their own batch mates.I remember V.Srikantha from 1960 batch well.He used to address us as "HOW CHUM".Then there was another one named Fernando,either 1960 or 61 batch.I bumped into Eardly Wilathgamuwa,several years ago at a Medical Conference held Canary Wharf?.I did recognised him and had a long chat and lost all the contacts,since.He had cystic acne during Bloem days and had consultations with Dr ND Lionel for treatment.I thought that I sold my 10 yr old pushbike to him on leaving Bloem for the last time.I have been to your hostel Jeewaka,to meet Upul to join him to attend a wedding ceremony,held in a village off,Eheliyagoda.The wedding of the sister of Upul batch-mate,who happened to be my old classmate in Sivali,Ratnapura.
ReplyDelete.
Sumathy
DeleteNo problem. I was at Jeewaka for my final year. They had just 26 students who were very civilised and made wonderful company. Jeewaka was a more sedate hostel. I have such fond and abiding memories of the place. No drinking was allowed in the premises. We made up for it having a good drink in the bars outside and having that extra one for the road. Saturday night was music night when Mohanlal Fernando played the piano accordion and we all sang the popular Sinhala songs of the time. The hostel has moved several times now and they were looking for a permanent home and I hear they have one now.
The Old Jeewaka opposite the Liberty Cinema was very special and its memory will always be with me.
To Sumathy and all my learned friends
ReplyDeleteFor us all from the Colombo Faculty, the Bloem, strategically located was a 'National Treasure'. We all loved and feared the Bloem in equal measure. There were a myriad of stories woven into the folklore of that institution. It was more than a hostel for the many who passed through its portals. The place was a hive of activity some burning the midnight oil while others gave vent to their testosterone fuelled energy. Ours was an era when medical students enjoyed that proverbial bohemian life style and relished the public respect. During our time the Bloem had its own rules, ethos and personality and their indiscretions were overlooked by the general public and the forces of the law.
The Bloem has moved with the times to enter the mainstream and admit females. In this era of transparency and close scrutiny it couldn't have survived in its original format. I hope it still provides a safe lodging for all its students and remains a place of friendship and harmony.
The old Bloem will always remain close to our hearts and a happy memory forever more
Shall try again. Does anybody knows why it was named Bloemfontein Hostel?
ReplyDeleteHi Sumathi
ReplyDeleteThe "CHRONICS" or the CHRONIAS as some called them were very interesting characters.They enjoyed a 2-3 year extended stay in med school not because they were less clever but they prioritised drinking,partying,gambling etc etc over studies.Three CHRONICS after qualifying emigrated to New Zealand, turned out to be very popular and successful medics.After a few years they decided to leave for UK,the local news paper headlines were "BRAIN DRAIN TO UK"
One of our batch mates who came from the North, a Blomite and a very good friend of mine was describing his weekend and mentioned that "Kandy Perera" was beautiful and he had a good time.When I asked him for more details about the lady,It turned out to be the "Kandy Perahara".Either my defective hearing or his pronounciation led to the confusion.
Before I moved to Blom I spent three months at Rockwood Gardens,my opposite house neighbour was Srianee,like you missed a chance,perhaps too shy.Should have been more into"Neighbourhood Watch".
Hi Bora ,
DeleteI really like your term “ chroniyas” which is new to me.You may have heard “Piggy Muldoon New Zealand PM’s comment on Kiwis who leave for Australia.He said they raise the IQ of both countries !!! His comment on the underarm bowling incident was “ I consider it appropriate that the Australian team were wearing yellow”
NZ has had some great PMs.David Lange made his country a nuclear free zone while Australian politicians dithered.A big man and a superb orator he was the youngest PM of NZ in the 20th century.He was the after dinner speaker at a medical function in Queenstown and kept us enthralled and in stitches.
The current PM Jacinda Ardern has been hailed as the best in the world
Welcome more and more additions,Bora,Nihal and Speedy.Another name that came into my mind was Eprams(hope I got it right).During the rag time for him,we used to bully him by asking whether he was a Muslim.We knew that he was Sinhalese from Galle.I am sure all of know that Abraham became Ibrahim for Muslims.Medical education,during our time was highly based on the capacity to cram notes,rather than understanding the basic.Quite a few of those labelled as "CHRONICS" ended up as high flying Academics and Consultants.Wish,Srianne will have something to reveal in due course.
ReplyDeleteNihal,English alphabet separated us from having a closer friendship,during our Medical school days.However,I remembered you as a slim built,fair skin,curly haired,bespectacled,young lad.
ReplyDeleteJeewaka,under the wardenship of late RPJ(JR's Younger brother) obeyed the noble path of Buddha teachings.The names of residents that I can remember are Nanda Amarasekera,SH Kodikara,Gajaweera,Narada Jayathilake?,SS Panditharatna,Senarat Perera? and Upul Wijewardene.Test my memory?
I dont recognise SH Kodikara, Gajaweera, Narada Jayathilake?,SS Panditharatna at Jeewaka but may be before my time.
ReplyDeleteLPJM Wickramasinghe, Sanath De Tissera and Upali Cunningham
Sumith Fonseka, LU Abeysiri and there were many from our junior batches.
Upali Wijeratna alias Cunningham was in his elder brother house in Nawala for a while.I have been there tomhave combine studies at 3 rd MB level.He may have joined Jeewaka at the final year.I missed the combine studies as a result of it.Upali's wife(Padmini)was next door to Upali's brother house and we used to look at her house,through the window.I was certain Padmini was keen to have the relationship,during those days,which culminated in marriage.I have been to Upali's ancestral home in Kandy,during students days.He is now living in Queensland,Aus,in retirement.His two daughters are employed in Aus as well.I had a video chat,last year.He is a poor communicator.As you had joined Jeewaka in the Final year,you would have missed them.
ReplyDeleteUpali Wijeratne and I were at Jeewaka in the final year. He used an old cycle to get to the GHC. After ward work he was returning home one night and a policeman stopped him and asked why his cycle does not have a light. He quickly switched on his pen torch. The policeman said the light has to be attached to the cycle. Upali said the pen torch is attached to him and he is attached to the cycle. After a lengthy discussion he was let off.
DeleteUpali W was in the UK and he contacted me and wanted a months residency in a surgical ward which I arranged for him. The surgeon told me he was a very astute clinician. This may have been 1983. I lost contact thereafter.
Thanks a lot for this article with the familiar picture of a building we have been looking at throughout our time in medical school. I was in the ladies hostel within view of it and there was no way I could avoid it. Yes, try to avoid it, I did as I would always hear some song or shout or quite often I would hear about Hank Snow and the Rainbow Ranch Boys (chanted in a nasal voice) as I was the secretary of that fan club. It's good to hear about the land marks of our student days. And now I realise that it has produced renowned professors, teachers and has been 'home' to other significant 'characters' of our batch. Thanks for taking us back through this memory lane! Zita
ReplyDeleteThank you,Zita for your comments.Bloemites enjoyed the parties given by the students who passed their finals on a regular basis.
DeleteWith Dutch courage and raised testosterone level,one could not resist the urge to reach the vicinity of the sister hostel.You were right,they wanted to remain anonymous by changing the voice.I can assure you that no vulgar remarks were used against any of the girls.I am sure most of the girls would have enjoyed the fun and had a temporary detachment from textbooks they were glued to.
I quite agree with you Sumathi, that the boys of Bloemfontein (I never can get used to 'Bloemites' that sounds like some insects!) yes the Bloem boys were really decent and upright individuals. They were full of fun and clever and witty which is so nice! This hostel along with the ladies one where the running was pretty similar as buthmasters were replaced by buth ladies, had to have a rotation of caterers and oh wasn't that such a nuisance! You had the meat eaters, fish eaters, non fish eating meat eaters, vegetarians, the equivalent of vegans that time and oh the allergies to be kept in mind. So catering which we all had to share was a mine field indeed! Sumathi you have a fantastic memory to be able to recount details with names. Well done! from Zita
DeleteNihal,
ReplyDeleteI am not certain whether he came during his sabbatical year,from SriLanka.I was aware that he had his MRCP and left UK in 1976/77.This is certain,as I wanted his help to come to UK in end of 1976.He could not offer any help and later on he apologized and the reason he gave me was that he was planning to travel to Singapore to by Medical equipment,to take back to SriLanka.He was Physician,Avissawella DG.After early retirement,he got a job in Geriatric Department,Newcastle General and stayed there for several years.I met him at Newcastle General,by accident.I was doing a locum at nearby South Shields.He had gained lot of experience in endoscopy while working as a Medical Registrar in a London hospital.
.Our friend Susil Attale had contact with him for a long time.Padmini used to come any do locum work in Attale's Phychiatric unit.Padmini did Psychiatry in Durham and they had their house in that town.I heard about their desire migrate about 2-3 yrs ago.
This is from an article in the Island paper of January 1, 2013 by by Dr. V. J. M. de Silva. http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=69451
ReplyDeleteAn octogenarian doctor’s reminiscences as a medical student
"Hostel Days -In my third year, I entered one of the university hostels, Bloemfontein (I believe a Dutch name). There was another hostel at "College House", Thurstan Road. The Warden at that time was Dr. Tommy Wickremanayeke, and the sub-warden who resided in the hostel was Dr. Victor Benjamin. At that time there were only about 25 hostellers. Of the seniors who were there, I can remember Dr. Uduwela (who was later University M.O. at Peradeniya), Dr. Budhadasa, Dr. Munasinghe (later medical administrator). Some who had entered the faculty with me, like J. Bartlett, Chandra Weeraratne were already there. Others junior to me, who came later, were Carlo Fonseka, Lakshman Ranasinghe, Neville Fernando. There was no ragging of any sort. Life at the hostel was very pleasant, with discussions and light-hearted banter and arguments over the dining table and in the common room. We went for 9 o’clock shows, (most had bicycles).No TV or computers then, we rarely missed the weekly change of programmes at the cinemas. We had an annual social and dance to which our teachers were invited. There were the annual trips lasting about two days, visiting places of interest. We spent the night in House Offices quarters of provincial hospitals and were entertained by the medical staff".
This is from an article in Ceylon-Ananda.com on 20th Feb 2020 by by HM Nissanka Warakaulle,Former Registrar, University of Colombo.Reminiscences of Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo.
ReplyDelete"My next involvement with the Faculty was with regard to hostels. There was vacant space in the premises of the Bloemfontein Men’s hostel where a building could be constructed. But I could not attend to this as I had to relinquish duties before that. However, I was able to get a new hostel constructed to accommodate fifty female medical students. This was as a donation from the People’s Bank on the golden anniversary of the bank.
As the Chief Engineer of the bank was a schoolmate and a friend of mine he came and met me and apprised me of the decision of the bank to construct a hostel and name it after the bank’s founder Chairman Vincent Subasinghe. Both of us went round looking for an appropriate land space to construct this hostel. The Chief Engineer decided on the vacant land next to the existing women’s hostel of the Faculty of Medicine. This was done in double quick time and it was declared open by the then President Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.
Hi Mahen,
DeleteNissanka Warakaulle has other medical connections.
His elder son Dinuke W is a radiologist in UK. His brother Anuke W was a resident in our Cardiac unit and is now a GP in Brisbane.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Upali Wijeratne aka Cunningham lives in QLD.
Hi Kumar, there was a rather eccentric but brilliant Radiologist at Welisera chest hospital in 19770 when I was working there. Any relation of the Warakaulles mentioned here?
DeleteNot sure Mahen.But I will make enquiries from Nissanka who lives in Havelock city apartments with his wife Mallika a renowned music teacher.
DeleteThese are his credentials. M. B. WARAKAULLE
DeleteM.B.B.S., T.D.D., D.M.R.D. He was a bachelor and was always chewing betel and messing about with cars. He had an old Land Rover. He just wore a white short sleeved open shirt and khaki trousers. He was superb on chest x-rays especially and x-rays in general. New hospital employees who have never seen him before would question him on why he is walking in the corridor in working hours. Ne has a great sense of humour too.
Thanks,Speedy for your painstaking research work going on to obtain about the history of Bloemfontein.I remember K(Kaluarachchi)Buddhdasa,who was with One Wanasinghe,most of his time.I wondered whether he was one of them,sacked as a result of the fight between the incoming College House Medicoes and the incumbent,Bloemites.I can visualize the faces with bruises,following the exchange of blows.My impression is that the building that is mentioned was built behind the original mens hostel.I am sure,Lama will have first hand knowledge about it.
ReplyDeleteSumathi, I just have not been able to find any reference to how the name was given to the Bloem.
DeleteThe name sounds "Dutch"and Dr de Silva too thought in similar manner.Lama should be able to do the research in Faculty archives.I am sure there must be some reference to the origin of the name/names of philanthropists.Both of us know that majority of Burghers,in SriLanka were Dutch ancestry.Dutch settlers in South Africa named the Capital of Orange Free State as Bloemfontein.Therefore,there is no doubt about the name Bloemfontein.Hope the mystery will come to light in due course.
ReplyDeleteThe Vincent Subasinghe Hostel is located in De Saram Place, very close to the original girls hostel. Both are fully occupied and has over-flowed to one wing of Bloemfontein Hostel.
ReplyDeleteAs my learned friends have said Bloemfontein is a Dutch word used in South Africa. Bloem means bloom or flower and Fonteine means a spring or a fountain. Flowers and springs and fountains are found in great abundance in that land of plenty as I found in my travels . It is ironical that these words of peace and serenity were used to describe a city in South Africa or even our own Medical hostel of the 1960's. This shows the truism of the philosophy of change as both these places have moved to represent the better human qualities of restraint and peaceful tolerance.
ReplyDeleteDear Sumathi,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your maiden full post.My sincere apologies for this delayed response.Just reading the catalogue of names evoked so many pleasant memories.The “chroniyas” ( Bora’s very expressive term) most of whom I had never seen before were a rich cast of characters.But nearly all of them were good people.;as were the young guys you mention.
I remember you in the hostel,although our paths didn’t cross often.You were ,I think in the topmost floor.I was initially in the first floor.My room mates at different times were K.Bala fun loving,Bora fun loving and studious and Cyril Ernest ,serious,studious and very private..He never bragged about his sporting deeds nor did he tell me the the reason for his weekend trips to Peradeniya.!!! Our unofficial roommate ‘was ‘Johnny ‘ Chandrasiri,; Bora and I studied with him ,mainly surgery.
Sivarajasingham liked both Bora and me.Due to his and Bala’s standing we escaped the rag.I remember a fresher on the ground level,with hands raised in devotion being doused with buckets of water.Another interesting personality was Mawilmada who was hilarious without intending to.
One of the major events,in my time was the Bloem dance; a grand affair with both men and women elegantly dressed in their best; flashing lights in the dimly lit hall,lilting melodious music ,freely flowing food and drink .Some like MBS , Wicky and Bora tripped the light fantastic stylishly .If memory serves me right Bala hired a female cabaret artist .I will say no more.
Another thing I recall is the Vesak decoration;little clay lamps in the crevices of the lattice work which concealed the stairs.Such a splendid spectacle which complemented the Vesak lanterns.So many tales;so much fun.I will stop before I get too carried away.
Thanks,Kumar,for bringing back the good old memories of Bloem hostel.I completely forgot several names,including Mawilmada,first name Nimal?,from the 1960 batch.He became a General Surgeon,and worked in Kandy teaching hospital.I am sure he still alive.Then,there was B Nadarajah.I was told that he passed away,over 2 yrs ago.There was another interesting character in 1961 batch,the name starts with Sri.During a Bloem hostel tour,we were passing river Mahaweli,where some young women were bathing.He saw the girls and raised his both hands,ordering them to raise their bathing costumes.You know what we were hoping to see,hidden beneath costumes.
ReplyDeleteSumathi
DeleteInteresting character from the 1961 batch was it Sri Krishnarajah or Sri Skandarajah'Dark,lanky chap.
Thank,you,Zita,We were a well behaved bunch of lads with sense of humour.To my mind all the lads got on well with the fellow residents.I am sure,there were fellows among us who fancied some of the girls at the ladies hostel,but never culminated in marriages.
ReplyDeleteThanks,Bora,I just cannot get his name.You were right, he was a
ReplyDeletedark,lanky lad with curly hair.He had a sister in our junior batch who married a Sinhalese lad,in the same batch.As far as I can remember,the said sister too was a bit of sociable character.She joined Public Health,some years later.Lucky might know her name.
Bora is right. Lakshmi Balasingham's brother was B (not V). Sri Krishnarajah. "Sri" as he was called, was a permanent MO (Blood Bank). He got married to am MLT (Miss Balasuriya who worked at Castle Street Hospital) but predeceased "Sri".
DeleteLakshmi and Thelisinghe migrated to Brunei, but never heard of them since. Theli was in Forensic Medicine and he worked with Gervin de Silva in the Colombo Medical Faculty who left for UK. Both of them left the Dept. of FM about the same time.
That chap who married Sri's sister was Thelisinghe(1963 batch)'He went into do Forensic Medicine and,I wondered whether was in the Forensic Dept in Colombo,Faculty.
ReplyDeleteThelisinghe is in Department of Forensic Medicine
ReplyDeleteUnless he returned from Brunei and rejoined the Dept. of FM.
DeleteLama.Thelisinghe must have retired from the Forensic Dept,by now,and enjoying his retirement.
ReplyDeleteLucky,I knew Garvin Silva and Thelisinghe well.Garvin's elder brother was the OIC,Rakwana Police,during my time as DMO,Rakwana.Garvin also had attempts at MRCP and I met him at Edinburgh as we sat for the MRCP Part 2.That was a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteYes Lucky, Thelisinghe may have retired
ReplyDeleteI,heard from a reliable source that Ex-Bloem students,now resident in Australia,had a reunion.I wonder whether,Kumar attended the event.When,I was in Melbourne,a junior batch,ex-Bloem resident entertained me and my wife,for a week.
ReplyDeleteSumathi,
ReplyDeleteI was not aware of this.The one Bloem hosteller Wicky (Wickremachandran) with whom I’m in touch would have informed me ,if he was going.There was a gathering of SriLankan doctors in Melbourne about 15 years ago which was very well attended .The chief guest was the Governor of Victoria a Srilankan;Professor David de Kretser a distinguished scientist.A group photo of ex Bloemites was taken.I don’t have a copy.Inthink MBS was there.
Kumar,
ReplyDeleteYou were right about the time of the meeting.By the way Wicremachandran was in Bloem during my time.There are ex-Bloem students.scattered all over Australia,spreading from Northern Territory to the most Southern part.Travelling to the venue is time consuming and expensive for those who are away from Victoria or New South Wales.I am sure a lot of SriLankan doctors are concentrated in New South Wales and Victoria.Some of the old hands may have health issues which prevent them from travelling either by car or air.Nice to hear that a Sri-Lankan had the honour of ascending to the status of Governor of Victoria.
I remember Wickramachandran well he use to administer insulin to a lady daily down albert crescent when he left bloem entrusted the task to me was paid monthly, welcome cash
DeleteWhen Russel and I worked at the Chest Hospital Welisara, I came to know Dr. Warakaulle quite well. He was an excellent radiologist but he was more interested in cars. He had three vehicles and at any given time, two of the engines were dismantled. He came for work with greased hands, teeth stained with betel juice and smelling of alcohol.
ReplyDeleteNissanka Warakaulle was a nephew of his and I came to know him when he was the Registrar of the University of Colombo. Until recently both of us served in the Council of the University of Kelaniya.
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