We deplore the war in Ukraine

WE DEPLORE THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE

Dear Friends,

 

The Blog was and will never be a Political Forum but I was tempted to post this after I read a message from the President of the RCP. Andrew Goddard MD PRCP, extracts from which I post below. I hope you agree that it is entirely appropriate to show this. To quote Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, “Silence is worse; all truths that are kept silent become poisonous.”

 

“All of us at the RCP send our thoughts and love out to those affected by the crisis. I suspect many of us also have friends with links to Ukraine

 

The actions of Putin have had immediate and dramatic effects on the healthcare system in Ukraine and experience tells us that the health of that population will suffer in unseen ways for many years to come. The movement of refugees across the EU will have an impact on the neighbouring states.

 

Ukraine has its own national health system (NHSU) which was created in 2017 and has been making significant strides towards a fair and equitable system for both population and employees since. Although somewhat younger than the UK NHS, the problems NHSU has had are not dissimilar. There has been a succession of health ministers which has created rapidly changing political policies and a fear of slipping back to the cronyism of pre-NHSU days. The involvement of UNICEF and others in procurement for medicines in 2015 showed how transparency can reduce corruption and medicine prices – something we can all learn from. The NHSU (before the war) was struggling with a move towards decentralisation and creation of local healthcare systems. The tensions between the politicians at the centre and local groups of those responsible for delivering healthcare seem oddly reminiscent of the current reform in England.

 

Let us hope that stability and normality will return quickly to the Ukrainian people and the improvements that were seen in NHSU can be the centre of attention, rather than the need to fight for their freedom and lives”.

 

I was so pleased to read this. I have no words to describe the abhorrence I have for President Putin (“putin it mildly”) for his uncaring and inhuman attitude of considering individuals as disposable pawns..

 

When Leaders of Countries go to war, the real sufferers are the people as you see from these images.

 

As responsible and caring citizens of the World, we must take every opportunity however small, to show our solidarity with the people of Ukraine and help them in whatever way we can.

A war has no winners – only losers.

 

Mahendra

London Mini Reunion 20th February 2022

London Mini Reunion 20^th February 2022

By Nihal D Amerasekera

The storm Eunice nor the Covid pandemic could deter our energetic and cheerful Pram from organising yet another London Mini reunion. Her enthusiasm, hard work and persistence through a WhatsApp group, e-mails and phone calls paid off. Parental and grandparental duties did limit the attendance. We have come to learn over the years Pram has limitless energy and patience and her organisational skills remain legendary. 

As we entered Satay House in Paddington there were welcoming smiles, hugs and handshakes all round. The whole event was informal. We didn’t dwell on the trivia. There were no speeches.  Although implied, no formal thank you at the end. Those brief couple of hours evoked a spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings bringing back the excitement of youth, vigour and laughter.  It was left to all to mingle and chat and we kept moving all the time. Joyous intermittent laughter was the order of the day. There were the usual fond recollections and reminiscences and plenty of catching up. As usual, there were a few “you haven’t changed a bit!” and “just a few grey hairs”- or “a bit less hair”- euphemistically addressing the bald! 

We were honoured by the presence of two of our seniors: the ever-smiling Nilani Gajawira and the talented sportsman, Mohanlal Fernando. It was so lovely to see Indrani Anthonypillai who always makes it for our reunions despite the difficulties. A special thanks to her daughter, Rose, who made time to accompany Indrani. 

As we sat down and got settled, we posed for the obligatory group photos. Many smart phones emerged from the pockets and several were taken by the friendly Satay House staff. 

The food was authentic Malaysian cuisine and was superb. As starters we had char-grilled chicken and lamb skewers marinated in spices and herbs. There were spicy vegetable spring rolls. Plain rice, coconut rice and Singapore noodles were served with beef rendang, prawn curry, aubergines and a splendid fish preparation. This was topped up with a fine dessert of ice cream and banana fritters. 

We spent just over two enjoyable hours chatting, recalling and laughing, savouring every moment. Interesting new stories were told of the ebb and flow of life in retirement.  Several old tales too re-emerged, judiciously embellished and gilded for good effect. We were quietly wondering for how long more we can continue these wonderful meetings as time catches up with us as it inevitably does. Make the most of whatever time we have left, reflect on the good times we had together and make every attempt to keep in touch: these were our sobering and constructive thoughts. 

The London Reunion is now well established and has become a regular event. Our thanks to Pramilla for organising the reunion and Mahendra for the technical expertise and making a real effort to be with us from Manchester despite the ravages of storm Eunice. Many of us are octogenarians or knocking on the door to be one. We appreciate the efforts made by all to attend this function despite the issues and problems. The reunion was brief but unhurried. The atmosphere was one of warmth, fellowship and great bonding. It was just an extension of those happy years in the faculty. 

We sadly missed Zita and her husband Joe, regular attendees, because of her illness. She sent her best wishes as she always does. 

And again, a special word of thanks to Rose, Indrani’s daughter who so kindly brought Indrani.

It is Au revoir and not goodbye until we meet again.

 Those present

Pram Senanayake, Shanti Nalliah, Mahendra “Speedy” Gonsalkorale, Nihal (ND) Amarasekera

Nilani Gajawira,  Sirima Abeysuriya  , Sunil Abeysuriya,  Mohanlal Fernando

Rose, (Indrani’s daughter) Indrani Anthonypillai, Harsha  Boralessa, Harshi Boralessa

 

Susheila Thiagarajah, Douglas Mulgirigama, Sunanda “Jimmy” Wickremasinghe

More photos

Chirasri paintings of flowers

 CHIRASRI JAYAWEERA BANDARA - ON FLOWERS

Happy 56th Wedding Anniversary

Happy 56^th Wedding Anniversary on the 9^th of February 2022. Ranjit Dambawinna

On behalf of our Batch, I wish to congratulate Ranjit and Neelangani and wish them many more years of marital bliss.

Some politicians of our youth By Nihal D Amerasekera

Some politicians of our youth

By Nihal D Amerasekera

In politics stupidity is not a handicap. - Napoleon Bonaparte 

Since my early childhood I have had very little interest in politics but have been eminently aware of the impact they’ve had on my life and well-being. The high-profile politicians during the British Colonial times had many confrontations with the existing regime and even spent time in jail. Although politics is not for everyone it is a profession someone has got to do. For politicians nowadays it is more than a job it is like winning the lottery. 

Four of my subjects for the portraits are committed socialists. It is hard not to have a social consciousness growing up in a developing country with so much poverty around. All of them were Influenced by Karl Marx and Lenin while completing their education abroad. The LSSP certainly influenced the trade unions and brought politics to the people. The LSSP remained on the fringes and sadly the party fractured and disintegrated in the early 1950’s and lost its power and appeal. Thanks to Karl Marx and the many die-hard socialists who disseminated the philosophy, many of the main stream parties worldwide acquired and added socialist policies to their election pledges for the benefit of the poor. 

All the politicians below are known for their integrity, honesty and probity. 

I do respect the Latin aphorism “De mortuis nil nisi bonum” (Of the dead say nothing but good).

 

Robert Gunawardena (1904-71)

Don Benjamin Rupasinghe Gunawardena was later known as Robert Gunawardena. He was a founder member of the LSSP and was a Marxist in the true sense of the word. He was a long serving MP for Kotte. He was jailed by the British for his activities against the British Colonial regime. Robert led the 1953 hartal and also the Suriyamal movement. They used Suriya flowers in place of the British Poppy to remember those Ceylonese who gave their lives in the war. He was a member of the Colombo Municipal Council. When he lost his seat in the election in 1965 Dudley Senanayake made him the Ambassador to China.

 

S.J.V Chelvanayagam (1898-1977)

Before his journey into politics he was a greatly respected teacher in my old school, Wesley College. He qualified as a lawyer and became a Kings Counsel.

Elected to parliament in 1947 he was a political leader of the Ceylon Tamil community for over two decades. He is well known for his pacts with the government and his support for federalism. He is remembered for his integrity and the use of non-violent methods to achieve his goals.

 

Dudley Senanayake (1911-73)

Dudley Senanayake was the head prefect and captained cricket at St Thomas’ Mt Lavinia.

He then went on to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge to read for Natural Science Tripos and after graduation gained admission to the Middle Temple as a barrister. He was the second Prime Minister of independent Ceylon. Dudley is credited and remembered for initiating the Mahaweli Development Programme and the Gal-Oya project. He is known for his simplicity and tolerance and regarded as a true statesman.

 

Colvin R De Silva (1907-89)

He was called to the bar as a barrister from Lincoln's Inn in London and later became an advocate in the Supreme Court of Ceylon. He appeared in many prominent and high-profile criminal trials of the day. Colvin was a founder member of the LSSP and became its president in 1935. He was elected to represent the Wellawatte -Galkissa seat in parliament in 1947 and later to the Agalawatte seat. He continued his legal practice until his death.

About that famous saying “The sun never sets on the British Empire”: Colvin said "That's because God does not trust the British in the dark."

 

Philip Gunawardena (1901-72)

He was the father of socialism in Ceylon and was called the Lion of Boralugoda, which was his home town. He was a member of the State Council and later of the Parliament of Ceylon. Robert Gunawardena was his brother. Philip had his University education in the USA. It seems it was there he was “radicalised” and became a die-hard socialist during the declining labour movement of the great depression. Philip Gunawardena was an eloquent speaker. He too was deeply involved in the Suriya Mal Campaign. Philip Gunawardena was so outspoken that the Colonial Government banned the LSSP and he was imprisoned together with other LSSP leaders in 1940. In 1951 he formed the MEP and in 1956 became the Minister of Agriculture in the SWRD Bandaranaike government. In 1964 he became the Minister of Industries and Fisheries in the Sirimavo Bandaranaike government. He lost the election in 1970 and died in 1972.

 N.M Perera (1904-79)

After his University degree in Ceylon he joined the London School of Economics in 1927. He was taught by Harold Laski who was a political theorist and a high profile member of the British Labour Party. Joining the Suriya Mal Campaign he worked and supported the poor and oppressed people of the Kegalle district. He was a founder member of the LSSP. He too was imprisoned by the British at the break of WW2. In 1947 he was elected to the Ruwanwella seat and became an MP. He was well known for his support of the Trade Union Movement organising strikes for better pay and conditions for workers. In 1964 and in 1970 he served as the Minister of Finance.  Being an ardent cricket fan, in 1977-78 he was appointed the Chairman of the Board of Cricket in Sri Lanka. He died from the complications of gall bladder surgery at the National Hospital.

Battaramulla: emergence of a new city. Lucky Abeyagunawardene

Battaramulla: Emergence of a new city

A video about it sent by Dr. Lakshman Abeyagunawardene

Time for something musical - from Speedy

Time for something Musical - from Speedy.

I am very fond of the Shadows as a musical group. I am sure colleagues recall the Jetliners who fashioned themselves on the Shadows. The lead singer Ishan Bahar was a classmate of mine at Royal.

The Shadows and Cliff Richard are inseparable as you all know. Talking of the Jetliners, Remember the Coconut Grove!

My Yamaha Genos has and continues to give me, hours of sheer pleasure. Its potential is only limited by your imagination.

This is "Sea Breeze", composed with the Shadows in mind in their style and where else but the splendid seashores of Sri Lanka to play the song! Click on the image below and I do hope you enjoy it as much as I did producing it!.