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.