REMEMBRANCE DAY MEMORIES

 Remembrance day posts continue with these two contributions by Bora and Speedy.

(1) My recollection of some of my dear departed colleagues

Harsha Boralessa. 

Tilak,  Suren,  Norman and Sue – we are still thinking of you 

Tilak Dayaratne

Although somewhat shy and reserved, Tilak had a great sense of humour. He was an excellent storyteller and kept us in stitches with his anecdotes. I will never forget the story about the upcountry tea planter whose fusion dress code was DJ and amude (loin cloth).  I have posted the full story on the Blog some time ago.

We were very close friends throughout medical school. Spent many Saturday nights drinking Lion lager at the Savoy Hotel, Wellawatta.

Tilak was a talented artist, had a good voice and entertained us at parties. He was a keen  and knowledgeable cricket fan.  A kind, decent and honest bloke. 

Suren Iyer

I hardly knew Suren at medical college. In the UK, Suren and Sweeni became very close family friends. We used to meet them frequently at Sri Lankan dinner dances.  Suren was a keen and passionate dancer. I can still picture the two of them dancing the rumba to their favourite  Sinhalese song (Kandula ethin, sama weyan). Suren was a competent and caring GP, well respected by his colleagues and much loved by his friends. Sweeni confided in us that from time to time, Suren used to compose romantic loving poems about her and surreptitiously slipped them under her pillow. Reminds me of the film “Pillow Talk” starring  Doris Day and Rock Hudson. 

Norman Sri Kantha

Norman was an interesting character. I always enjoyed his company and he invariably made us laugh. I will never forget his unusual or maybe unique way of answering a question on the serum potassium level at a physiology signature conducted by Dr Laddie Perera.  The initial answer was too vague and he was asked to be more specific. Norman responded by flicking his thumb against the index finger and saying, “this much Sir”. This provoked fits of laughter among the students with the tutor looking on in disbelief. 

Sue Ratnavale

Sue was much admired in the batch. Although I had not spoken to her during our time at medical college, a very close friend of mine used to rave about her.  I got to know her later on in life as she was a very dear friend of my wife Harshi. Sue would visit us when she came to the UK.  She was very pleasant and down to earth. I enjoyed talking to her and occasionally, we spoke in Sinhalese. Her authentic Sinhala accent was very impressive and a delight to listen to. Sue was a  huge fan of Elvis. I was told by Harshi, her roommate at Peradeniya, that when inspired, Sue would jump on her bed and sing Jailhouse Rock, strumming an air guitar. That would have been a sight to behold!

(2) A few random memories of late colleagues

Mahendra “Speedy” Gonsalkorale

Niriella Chandrasiri. I recall him as a clever chap with just a hint of speech hesitation who shined in the academic field as Professor of Forensic Medicine in later life. He had a broad forehead with hair combed back, not very tall and typical posture with chest northwards, high trouser line and bum southwards!  Never mastered the art of walking quietly.

“Bobby” Somasunderam. Cheerful and jovial. Big fellow Loved his drink and I recall his parties in his big house in Cheadle Hulme including a mini-reunion in 1991 attended by 22 people.

Tudor Wickramarachchi. He was in the “dark club” with JC, Yoga and - questionably myself as JC would have it! Assertive and could be quite combative. Made his presence felt with his volatile temper but good and sincere man at heart.

Anna Ponnambalam Sathiagnanan. Lovely, quiet and charmingly innocent. Lost touch with her but remember her well and her lovely complexion and generous “lunch interval”!

A. Satchitananda. From Royal College. BSA Bantam, specs is how I remember him. Very studious and good Table Tennis player. Went to USA and excelled as a Paediatrician.

K. Sri Kantha. Cheeky extrovert who always had us in fits of laughter. Proved his capabilities professionally in the USA. We all remember his “about this much” gesture with his hand when asked “does anybody know how much sodium chloride (or was it Potassium?) is in our body”! In a group setting, everybody knew if he was there, you just cannot miss him.

W. Punsiri Fernando. The ultimate “deadpan” humourist! His jokes are legion and one I recall very well is his answer to Dr Burhan (Lord Burhan as we called him) when asked “what is the main constituent of anti-gangrene (or similar) vaccine?” He timidly raised his hand and Burhan said “at least one donkey knows the answer, yes, what is it?” Without batting an eyelid, Punsiri uttered “water Sir”! Burhan was at a loss for words with this accurate answer! I met him several times in my visits to Sri Lanka and was happy to send him stamps as he was an avid collector. We know of course that he distinguished himself as Head of the Anti-Malaria Campaign.

W. Rajasooriyar Tall and serious. Upright erect rather stiff gait with minimal arm swing. Very quiet and kept in the background. Knew him from Royal as he and I used to wait after school to be picked up by our family members by car, near the front gate.

M.P.C. Jaimon. Another Royalist and top-class hockey player. Sportsman and had many friends. Excellent company. Again, never without a smile with a characteristic loping gait.

Don Bradman Mahendra Collure We had the same first name. Had a permanent smile. Soft-spoken and glides over the territory as he ambulates. Never quite fulfilled the cricketing aspirations of his parents, principally his father. I think he was in the Vespa club.