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Lucky and Speedy
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
Saturday, February 6, 2021
Kamini Ferdinando (nee Goonewardene)
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It was sad news indeed. Kamini was with me right through Medical school as she was a "G" like me in our alphabetical system at the Faculty. She was very innocent and she took all the fun we made at her expense with good humour. Especially Punsiri and I enjoyed the perplexed expression on her face when we cracked "kunu" jokes. Sushieila Kanagasabai was one of her frequent companions.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I lost contact with her but managed to get her telephone number from Rohini Ana and spoke to her in December 2016. I had a lovely chat with her and at that time, she was hoping to attend the 50th Anniversary reunion but unfortunately could not make it.
I shall always remember her as a lovely cheerful somewhat serious girl and it was a pleasure to have known her
What a sad announcement awaited me,when I opened the Blog pages this morning! Oh Kamini, I remember you so well and have great memories of you! So sorry I didn't keep in touch after we went our separate ways! And now it's too late. I know you are at peace and I offer condolences from me and my family to yours. We have lost a beautiful person from our midst but a beautiful person has graced another world and life! Let's just bow our heads and think of you and your family. From Zita
ReplyDeleteIt makes me deeply sad to hear the news. She was such a lovely friendly person who spoke no evil, saw no evil and heard no evil.She symbolised purity and innocence in human beings a rarity in this fast moving rapidly changing world. A gem in a world of pebbles.
ReplyDeleteMay she find Eternal Peace.
Very sad to hear about Kamini's demise. May she RIP.Her father was Dr HSR Gunawardene,an old Royalist, excellent sportsman and Deputy Director of Health Services
ReplyDeleteI had not met Kamini since we graduated. She was a quiet girl and hardly spoke out. To add to what Sanath had mentioned about her family, she also had a brother (DSR)who I think was younger to Kamini but passed away very early in life. He was a Police Officer and an athlete who was also at Royal. However, he was not successful as his father as an althlete. I am surprised that Sanath had not mentioned him.
ReplyDeleteHSR shone at Public Schools Meets and I think at the Nationals, in the hurdles event. His son DSR was few years junior to me at RC ,but was not talented like his father. I think Kamini's mother was a Tamil and also a doctor. They lived down Dickman's Road.
ReplyDeleteI too associate with my colleagues in expressing condolences on Kamini's demise.Her face shine in the photo has completely effaced from my memory.The other two Gunawardhanes (Kumar&Padmini),I haven't forgotten.Kamini's shy and reserved nature might have contributed to me from making a friendship.
ReplyDeleteFROM KUMAR
ReplyDeleteDear Lucky and Speedy,
I’m addressing you as I still have problems commenting in the blog via my iPad.
I didn’t know Kamini well although alphabetically close in our year;but I did respect her dignified demeanour and the very sober attire. She epitomised the best of our traditional values. Not surprising as she was of mixed heritage according to Sanath; thus embodying the best of both communities.
Nihal has summed her up beautifully.
To my eternal regret, my circle of friends was limited in Medical School ;with hindsight how much I wish it were otherwise.
Kumar
I read Mahen's email to me about Kamini's death, with great sadness. (Thank you Mahen) Kamini was a year ahead of me at Ladies' College. She was quiet, gentle and had a very sweet demeanor. I can picture her being teased by the 'unruly' guys who sat near her during lectures. She was too polite to respond in a like manner!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I ever met her after we both left Sri Lanka, which is very unfortunate. I got news of her through other friends. At Ladies' we all knew her as "K.G" probably to distinguish her from other girls who shared her first name. May her sweet gentle soul Rest in Peace.
Hi Srianne,You are a real feminist.
ReplyDeleteYes Sumathi, I guess I am, and I consider that a compliment!
ReplyDeleteIt is a pleasure to elevate you to status of a feminist.It is pity that I just bring the visage of young kamini into my frontal cortex.
DeleteWith great sadness I received news of Kamini's death.
ReplyDeleteI used to travel to Medical College in a private car, pick up Kamini and late Priya off Dickmans Road and Padmini from Isipathana Mawatha.
I did Internship at The Castle Street Hospital for Women and I think she too did Internship there.
Kamini went to New Zealand first and others followed much later. They came to my residence to get their eyes checked on a several occasions before they left. I lost contact with them.I have no way to send condolences to the family. Chira
I have not been able to trace any family member to pass our condolences but managed to get more information on the family and her very accomplished father, Dr HSR Goonewardene.
ReplyDeleteHe was Vice-Captain of Cricket, Captain of Rugby, Captain of the Athletics Team, Platoon Sergeant in the Senior Cadets and Head Prefect at Royal College. In Athletics, he almost never failed to win his events. Royal College won the Inter Collegiate Challenge Cup for Athletics for three years in succession almost entirely due to his efforts. He was also the best marksman of his time. As Platoon Sergeant and Head Prefect he maintained excellent discipline without incurring the displeasure of the boys who always claimed him as their hero.
He passed his medical finals with a first class. He was Athletics Captain at University College and Cricket Captain at Medical College. He also held a diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the University of Ceylon.
After serving in many parts of the country as a medical officer, he joined the Physical Education Department of the Education Ministry in 1950 where he rose to the post of Deputy Director of Education (Physical Education) in 1955. In 1961, Dr. was appointed Director of the newly-created Department of Sports. He later joined the Physical Education Department of the Education Ministry in 1950 where he rose to the post of Deputy Director of Education (Physical Education) in 1955. In 1961. He was appointed Director of the newly-created Department of Sports.
His children have donated an annual prize in his memory at his alma mater, Royal College. The Dr. H. S.R. Goonewardene Memorial Prize is awarded each year to “an outstanding student with colours for any sport, entering Medical College.”
He was married to Navamani (nee Chelliah). They were very happily married for over 50 years. The eldest son Harendra lives with his family in UK (Does anyone know him?) and there is younger son DSR mentioned by Sanath. Dr HSR passed away in 1995 at the age of 84.
Kamini must have been so proud of him and her mother.
HSRG most probably was one of the best allround sportsmen as well as an academic that Royal College produced
ReplyDeleteSUNIL ABEYSURIYA
ReplyDeletePlease convey our deepest sympathies to her family.
MAHESWARY NADARAJAH
ReplyDeleteWhen I heard that Kamini had passed away through Speedy, I was very saddened. If there is a way of sending my condolences to the family, please let me know. May her soul rest in Peace.
SUSHEILA THIAGARAJAH
ReplyDeletei was shocked and sad to hear the news of Kamini's death. We have been very good friends and moved like sisters while at Medical college In fact I changed most of my clinical appts in hospital so that we could be together and work together
She was a sincere friend and who was helpful and jovial too.
We lost touch following internship. I was in Colombo and she was down South. I did speak to her occasionally while in Australia but lost touch again. Now I wish I had kept in touch.
Well it’s too late now and may her soul rest in peace
I too remember Kamini G, and in fact I ran into her some years back T the General Hospital, while I went to visit my father who was in the Merchant's ward. If I remember right she too was there visiting one of her relatives ( not sure who). I can also picture her her walking with Susheila, both about the same size and build, both immaculately dressed in Saree pretty much their entire career. I have some Dr friends in Melborne and will check if I can get some information. Kamini was as many of you said she was quiet and for having been the daughter of an accomplished father, was humble and non assuming. God bless her soul
ReplyDeleteRajan, I agree with you that Kamini was very humble and I think that was part of her charm. Everyone has expressed regret at not staying in touch with Kamini. Perhaps this is a good lesson for all of us to try harder at staying in touch with each other. It so happens that Kamini and I are "connected' through cousins (You know how it is, in Sri Lanka!) Her first cousin is also my first cousin's first cousin! This morning her cousin who lives in LA called me (We knew each other when we were kids) and now I have Kamini's sister's email address. I will send out an email to everyone who has expressed a wish to communicate with the family.
ReplyDeleteSrianee
ReplyDeleteThank you for the information. The news of the loss of friends is a recurrent theme now. There is always the sadness we haven't kept in touch more closely but life for us all was busy and even hectic with family and careers. We have the joy that they were in our lives in our formative years. Just remember the happy times.
Thanks to you we now have the news Kamini passed away peacefully in her sleep to help bring some closure. There is no better way to exit this world, when we have to, however hard it is to say goodbye for those of us left behind.
Kamini's passing has struck a chord and touched many of us deeply.I think it was her innocence.
May she find eternal peace
I received this message from Kamini's sister Indrani in response to my condolences message I sent her (and Kamini's family) on behalf of our Batch.
ReplyDeleteDear Mahendra,
Thanks for your condolences. Yes akka passed away in her sleep peacefully for which I am grateful and miss her very much.
Indrani