REMEMBRANCE DAY 2026 (2)

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2026 (2)

Suri Amarasekera

We all have special treasures
That in memory transcends
Those we hold especially dear
Are those of our old and cherished friends.

 

As I recall the friendships
That have stood the test of time,
Today- tomorrow - forever
I'm so thankful they were mine. 

It's hard to believe that 65 of our dear batch mates have departed from us. All of us have many treasured memories of them. We naturally had closer associations with some than others, and kept in touch with them over the years. I have shared my precious memories of many of them in our Batch Blog as and when they departed. To avoid repetition, I will limit my recollections to a few. 

Russell Paul

Was one of the cleverest boys in our batch. His most endearing quality was his genuine concern and caring for his batchmates. I recall how he would often stop his own studies to take time to explain a tricky point to us "lesser mortals" But never did he act superior.

His beloved life partner Dawne fondly nick named " Mother Lanka" for her statuesque figure, and Rapunzel like long hair was a perfect match for Russell. 

Suren Iyer

Was a fun- filled package of energy and laughter, and a popular boy in our batch. I remember him dancing nonstop at our 50th Anniversary Batch Reunion at Jetwing Negombo in 2017. The most poignant memory I have of Suren is how he used to carry a photograph of his older sister Sita (First batch Peradeniya), who succumbed to Ulcerative Colitis, in his wallet, and show it to us, saying it was his girlfriend.

Ranjith Kuruppu

Being another "K" we were always in the same group for Clinicals. Ranjith had a lovely sense of humour and was always ready to join in any fun. I have the vivid recollection of Ranjith performing a sensuous " Dance of the Seven Veils" at our 30th Anniversary Batch Reunion in 1997, at Coral Gardens Hikkaduwa, mesmerising everyone and having the audience guessing at his identity!

Kamini Gunawardane

Was the personification of being a " Lady." Even the naughtiest boy would not crack off colour jokes in her presence. I was always close to Kamini through our activities in the SCM, and I was delighted to have her as my Co-House Officer during our internship with Dr E.V. Pieris way back in 1968. I'm so glad that our daughters became close friends while studying together as batchmates in an IT degree course. We were able to meet several times a year at functions at their faculty.

Priya Goonaratne

Was a dear and close friend throughout student days and beyond. We were both enthusiastic Table Tennis players and had the privilege of representing Sri Lanka at an International University Table Tennis tournament in 1964. Priya was a valued and enthusiastic member of the organising committee of several Batch Reunions. I am full of admiration for the way Priya met the challenge of her terminal illness with courage and cheerfulness. setting a shining example for us. 

Zita Subasinghe

I cannot possibly write about departed batchmates without referring to Zita, who I consider a dear, dear sister from another mother. We " clicked" from the very first day we met in the Block, being " Body Partners" Our friendship stood the test of time, and we remained in close touch. The fact that Zita was my son's godmother and, later, the attesting witness at his wedding bears witness to our closeness. It was a delight to have her as a fellow consultant at J Pura hospital, even for a short time. I was immensely proud of her achievements - pioneering Laser surgery in Opthalmology, and being elected the President of the College of Ophthalmology of Sri Lanka. 

Her gift of creative writing was an amazing skill. She always delighted me with personalised poems on birthdays. I vividly recall how Dr Misso ( with whom we did our first surgical appointment) laughed out loud at Zita's poem of farewell at the end of the appointment, " Not much luck with the diathermy, anyway. " When the assistant burnt poor Gane! " 

She was referring to Dr Ganeshanathan, the SHO, who later qualified as a thoracic surgeon. I treasure her book of poems, which I keep by my bedside. The courage and cheerfulness with which Zita faced her terminal illness are an inspiration to us all and bear witness to her strength of character. I was fortunate to be able to message her daily and receive responses up to the last month of her life, until she was unable to read and reply. Her daughter Nisha used to read them to her even then. 

V Ganesan

Is another batchmate who kindles many fond memories. I used to call him "Peter Pan " because while all of us seemed to be showing signs of ageing, Ganesh continued to preserve his youthful good looks. He was always impeccably groomed. In Black July in 1983, when his Surgery in Horana was burnt down, he was shattered. But like a Phoenix he rose from the ashes, having in his genle heart to forgive the people who hurt him. He went back to Horana to resume his practice - a courageous act indeed.  

I recall him in a pink shirt,  lustily singing popular Sinhala songs all the way to Cinnamon Lodge Habarana at our Batch Reunion in 2007.

In Ganesh, I saw a perfect human being, loving, forgiving, caring and compassionate, who left an indelible impact on our lives. I had the privilege of getting to know his daughter, Anjalee, when she assumed duties at J Pura hospital. I saw in her the same wonderful qualities as her father, whom she had obviously taken as a role model. 

J C Fernando

Iconic Royalist, Outstanding Sportsman, Compassionate Doctor, and Loyal Friend. His unfailing courtesy, quick sense of humour, and concern for others endeared him to all, making him one of the most popular boys in the batch. He could laugh at himself and took the teasing about his dark complexion good-naturedly. J C was the live wire at any party, armed with his guitar and pleasing voice, he would lead the singing, often singing"naughty" versions of popular old songs. He loved to dance and took on the task of coaching us novices on the dance floor. I remember him dancing, balancing a whiskey tumbler on his head! 

JC was responsible for giving several female batchmates nicknames.

Pocket edition (Rohini A)
Manel Massive (Manel Matthew)
K - usuma (Kusuma)
Mother Lanka (Dawne)
Brat of the Batch (myself ). 

I am eternally grateful for all the support JC gave me when I had a THR in 2018. It's mainly due to his encouragement and advice that I got back to walking unaided, driving and even swimming in 6 weeks after surgery. 

Tragedy struck in January 2000, when JC suffered a stroke, leaving him with left-sided paralysis and dysphasia. It was heartbreaking to see him so incapacitated. My husband, Mahendra, and I visited him every Saturday till the COVID pandemic in 2001 curtailed our regular visits. During this time, JC responded to music, joining Mahendra in singing old favourites like Bernadine, with perfect recall of the tune and words, but, to our utter disappointment, did not progress to clear speech. Sura was a model wife, caring for JC, doing everything possible to keep him comfortable.

Lucky Abeygunawardane

Lucky was one of the first boys I got to know in the batch, being assigned to the same cadaver for dissection, and having been told by my older brother to look out for him (Aiya had worked with Lucky as a casual bank employee while waiting to enter med school). He told me that Lucky was a  "decent chap", as indeed he proved to be. Lucky was away from Sri Lanka for many years, engaged in his work with the WHO, and it was great to reconnect with him upon his return. I remember he was one of the first batchmates I contacted when I got the bright idea to organise a Batch Reunion in 1988. It was an uphill task as we did not know where most of our batchmates were - here in Sri Lanka or abroad, nor did we have any contact numbers or places of work. In addition, most of the females had changed their names. Lucky cheerfully chipped in and we were able to have the first reunion in Sri Lanka at the Holiday Inn. Since then, we have had wonderful reunions, Lucky being a key member of the organising committee. My most vivid recollection of Lucky is from when he took part in a skit at the SLMA Doctor's Concert, dressed as a woman. I couldn't recognise him at first! I remember Mangala telling me that Lucky was very particular about having every detail correct, including the long pink fingernails. We owe Lucky an eternal debt of gratitude for being the Creator and Sustainer of our Batch Blog, which has kept us in touch with each other over the years.

Lareef Idroos

Was one of the few batchmates I knew before I entered Medical College. I recall attending several Royal Thomian encounters and watching Lareef capture wickets with his brilliant bowling. 

Lareef was a friendly chap and was equally popular with the boys and girls in our batch. I remember him as an excellent Ballroom dancer, and teaching us novices to do the Cha Cha seemed to be one of his goals. I vividly recall being coached on the King George's Hall dance floor. Lareef had his own version, which he called  " off beat Cha Cha", dipping deeply down on the back step. 

I remember him driving his gleaming Benz to College on some days. He did 6 months of his internship at the Castle Street Hospital for women, and he actually hit the Kelani Valley train at the unprotected rail crossing near the hospital. Thank God he escaped with no injuries and only minimal damage to his car. He was heard to comment, " I wondered what the bump was! " 

It was a delight to meet Lareef and his charming wife Nabila at several Batch Reunions. I was so proud to have him as a Resource Person at the annual Scientific Sessions of the SLMA in 2006, when I was the President.

Lareef acquired a luxury apartment close to J Pura hospital where I worked, so I had the pleasure and privilege of meeting him and entertaining Lareef and Nabila on several occasions when they visited Sri Lanka. 

I must express my heartfelt gratitude to Lama, who enabled us to get copies of the Student Signature Card Photographs printed in the Souvenir of the Ruby Anniversary of our graduation in 2007, using his authority as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo. I keep my copy within easy reach and often look at the photos of my friends, and precious memories come flooding back.