The Generosity of one of our Batchmates-Dr Sunanda (Jimmy) Wickremasinghe
This email was copied to me by
Prof Lama. We think it is worth sharing on the blog. I usually meet Jimmy now
and again at our London mini-reunions and the Big Ones in Sri Lanka. He is a
regular for these gatherings and is always entertaining and generous. As most of you know, Jimmy has finally retired
after over 50 years as a GP in the UK. He was highly skilled and respected.
Jimmy was featured in a blog post on Dec 14th, 2016. (type Jimmy in
the search bar to access it).
Prof Sanath Lama’s email
"Jimmy and Kathy spent about a month in
Sri Lanka, based at the Shangrila Hotel. I met the two of them
several times. I suppose you (Asoka Dissanayke) were unaware of this and
therefore missed them. Jimmy told me that he left the country soon after
the results were released, because there was a compulsory period of
service. He had felt rather guilty about it , because after benefiting from
free education, he had not served the country. When he came to know that I was
closely involved with the setting up of the Sabaragamuwa Medical Faculty, he
was keen on establishing a bursary for a deserving student, in memory of
his late father. As his father had been from Hikkaduwa, he wanted a student
from that area. I displayed a notice and called for applications; out of 10
applicants, I chose Thilina Madushanka who is from Bentota and studied at
Ananda Sastralaya Matugama. His father is an unskilled labourer doing odd jobs
such as cooking.
For Thilina to receive about Rs.
5000.00 per month, Jimmy and his family deposited about a million rupees in a
fixed deposit. With the depreciation of the rupee and interest rates increasing,
Thilina receives about Rs. 18,000.00 a month, and he sends any
remaining funds to his parents.
Thilina represented the Sabaragamuwa
Medical Faculty cricket team in the inaugural match against the Wayamba Medical
Faculty, which the former won.
Thilina obtained distinctions in all
three subjects at the 2nd MBBS examination and got a First Class.In the 3rd
MBBS Part1 examination, he got distinctions in both subjects,Microbiology and
Parasitology; Part 2, no distinctions and obtained a Second Upper Class
Both Jimmy and myself are
undoubtedly very happy with his progress so far."
Sunanda and Kathy
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful gesture on your part to provide generously for a deserving student close to Sunanda’s father’s hometown to complete his medical studies. This must bring you both great satisfaction that Thilina Madushanka has done so well in his examinations. This indeed shows his appreciation of your generosity. I applaud Thilina’s commitment and send my best wishes for a long and rewarding professional career and service to the community .
I was most impressed by the very practical way Jimmy chose to help a student in Sri Lanka. Jimmy did not seek for publicity but I thought it was fitting to pass on this information. Most of us who settled outside Sri Lanka do a lot to support our Moetherland in many ways. Long may it continue-"They also serve - those who stand and wait (outside Sri Lanka)!"
ReplyDeleteDear Sunanda and Kathy,
ReplyDeleteThis is indeed a generous and meritorious deed and you both and your parents will be blessed.
It is our duty to help our brethren, especially the younger generation.
Kanthi and I are supporting a fourth year medical student at the Sabaragamuwa medical school. Previously we had bought all the books for a second year medical student.
We had earlier sponsored two girls from a remote village in the Kandy region.One of them is a fully trained teacher now.
The issue is to make sure that the funds go directly to the recipients.
We are aware that Sanath and many other colleagues are doing similar charitable deeds; hopefully many expats will follow suit.
Kumar
Dear Jimmy and Kathy,
ReplyDeleteThe last time I met Jimmy was at Pram's Hyde Park Residencies.. Congratulations and best wishes on your full retirement. Kathy, do you remember we had a long chat in the bus when we were returning from Hikkaduwa We were occupying seats in the same row.
One day when I was MOH Matara, I had some free time and I was going through the Visitors' Book when I came across Jimmy's father's entry when he had visited Matara as DHS. I wrote to him a few days later and he had replied. We exchanged plasantries to begin with, as we were were both from Hikkaduwa. Finally, he invited me to Bullers Lane where he lived. He would have been very happy had he lived to see his youngest son sponsoring a deserving medical student from Hikkaduwa who has done so well.
Lucky
Lucky, It is good to see your "more than a brief" comment. Thank you for sharing the story about Jimmy's father.
DeleteJimmy and Kathy, it is heartwarming to read about the help you have given this young medical student, Thilina. We all do what we can in multiple different ways, but it is great that you found a personal connection with someone from your father's part of the country. It is good that you had Sanath to help you with the logistics. Jimmy, I wish you a very enjoyable retirement.
ReplyDelete