The Cricket World Cup — a post-mortem

From the Island newspaper of 18 July 2019.

The overthrow that fetched six runs

I eagerly followed this event which concluded last Sunday with a flourish. However, I would like to make the following observations.

1. As there were no reserve days for the league matches, Sri Lanka lost two potential points which may have prevented us from securing a place in the semi-finals. England is notorious for its inclement weather and as they have sufficient resources (grounds, etc.) there should have been reserve days for the league matches. If necessary, two matches could have been played on a single day as was done over week-ends.

2. The final result although extremely exciting for the spectators, was a disaster for the losing side. As ICC umpire Simon Taufel has pointed out, only five runs should have been awarded and not six runs for the overthrow in the final over. The relevant law states that at the time of throwing the ball by a fielder which results in an overthrow, the two batsmen should have crossed each other for a run to be awarded. It was clear from TV replays, that it was not so; in which case Stokes would have been at the bowling end for the rest of the over.

3. Instead of counting boundaries, a second super over should have been bowled.

4. Considering these important facts, England should be gracious enough to share the World Cup with New Zealand, as, after all, cricket is considered to be a gentleman’s game, invented by the English!

Professor Sanath P. Lamabadusuriya

Friends and Friendships

E-mail from Cyril Ernest.

Antony Ernest	8 Dec 2018, 23:23 (8 hours ago)
to me

Dear Lucky,

The years are rapidly going by and soon it will be the end of our earthly existence. Through the brainchild of your Medical School blog that was created by you and maintained with your tenacity with the help of regular contributors we have been very fortunate indeed to follow the exploits of our classmates in Sri Lanka and abroad. We have been able to rejoice in acclamation of the individual achievements and also sadly lament the loss of dear friends and classmates over the years and the list is steadily growing.It is hard to imagine that it is almost 60 years since the day we entered Medical School in 1962. I am no literary genius to make a contribution to the blog in comparison to your regulars - however, I received an e mail from a close friend Allan Gunasekera my cricket and hockey team mate at St. Benedict’s re friends and friendship which fascinated me that I thought I should share with you. Here it goes -

"Everyone has a friend during each stage of life, but only the lucky ones have the same friend in all stages of life.
We have 3 types of friends in life -
Friends for a reason, Friends for a season and friends for a lifetime.
Remember that the the most valuable antiques are dear old friends.
A good friend listens to your adventures, and a best friend makes them with you.
If you have nothing in life but a good friend you are rich.
Happiness is meeting an old friend after a long lapse and feeling that nothing has changed.
Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out but to see who cares enough to break them down - Socrates.
Good times become good memories and bad times become good lessons.
A strong friendship doesn’t need daily conversation, doesn’t always need togetherness, as long as the relationship lives in the heart - true friends will never part.
Friends are the family we choose for ourselves.
We don’t meet people by accident - they are meant to cross our path for a reason.
Childhood friendship is the most beautiful memory that can’t ever be replaced.
It is not what we have in life but who who we have in our life that matters.
Good friends are like stars - You don’t always see them, but you know they are always there.
Sometimes I sit and think of all the memories I ‘ve made and smile. Then I smile more at the thought of memories yet to be made.
Life always brings tears,smiles and memories. The tears dry, the smiles fade, but the memories last forever.
Letting go doesn’t mean  you forget the person completely. It just means that you find a way of surviving without them.                                                                                           
The most frightening thing about seeing an old friend again is the fear that your friendship is nothing more than a memory.
Friends come and go like waves of the ocean, but true ones stick like an octopus on your face.                   
The most painful goodbyes are ones that are never said and never explained.
Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.
Friends may change but the memory lasts forever.                                                         
No matter what happens, some memories can never be replaced.                               
Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart".                                                                                                                              
Cyril Ernest.   

"Job Satisfaction" ( from the September 2018 issue of the SLMA newsletter)

By Dr. Sarath Gamini De Silva, Consultant Physician and Council Member

I was compelled to write the following after receiving an e mail message from a Sri Lankan expatriate doctor in UK.

I quote; 

“My non return to Sri Lanka could be a blessing as I probably avoided falling into this type of system. I am now retired after nearly 47 years of service in accordance with the principles inculcated at entry to the profession. But my only regret is that it was not a service to fellow Sri Lankans (except for the first 7 years). I console myself being a Buddhist, it was nevertheless to other human beings.”

In my reply, the last sentence was “How nice it would have been if all the well meaning doctors remained in Sri Lanka and set an example of proper ethical practice”

Let me elaborate. What I write below is not a boast. I am sure many of my colleagues and contemporaries will express similar sentiments. Let it give some inspiration to the younger members of the profession, that one can do a good and satisfying job even in a corrupt and disorderly “system” like ours. Ethical practice with a good knowledge of what is expected of a doctor is essential to have job satisfaction. In retirement, one can look back and feel happy about the good job done, appreciated by others. It should be stressed that contentment and sense of accomplishment later in life comes from appreciation of one’s work from patients, colleagues, students and others and not so much from what one has accumulated in material and monetary terms.

I am a senior consultant physician who retired from government service nearly ten years ago, after thirty six years of service in the state sector. I am still active in the private sector. Apart from treating thousands of patients, for twenty five years I was teaching medical students and post graduate doctors. I was also involved as an office bearer in various medical associations and was a member of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) for ten years. I was an active member of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), its’ vice president for two years. May I hasten to add that I was elected to the SLMC nominated by the GMOA but did not act as its representative safe guarding the interests of the union. All my actions and sayings there were according to my conscience.

I had a reasonable private consultation practice which enabled me to enjoy a decent standard of living albeit working for long hours in the evenings. I never compromised my hours of work in the state hospital to engage in private practice. My private patients were not given special care if they sought treatment in the state hospital. I earned enough resources to give my three children a sound education, having paid the due share to the state coffers. I have always found enough time for my leisure activities like travel and literary work. 

In my consultation practice now I come across many patients who mention how they are grateful to me for treating their kith and kin so many years ago. They mention how I made the correct diagnosis or referred the patient to the appropriate sub specialist for timely action. They express gratitude for not doing unnecessary tests or for cutting short a long prescription given by others. I never considered myself infallible and consulted my colleagues when ever I had a problem in my hands. No doubt I must have had a few failures in my clinical judgment or in my dealings with others. 

Large numbers of my students are serving as doctors in the length and breadth of the country. Many are specialist consultants in their own right. When I meet them they often mention even the details of classes I have conducted for them many years ago. My patients talk of the doctor in their village or town proudly claiming to be a student of mine. It is very satisfying to feel that I have been a positive influence on my students hopefully making them better doctors.

In an earlier essay I said that the doctors are a product of this corrupt society where making money has become the main goal in life. I argued then that it is unreasonable to expect the doctors to behave any differently from the rest. However I insist that for a professional, job satisfaction is of paramount importance. Members of our noble profession should be above board so that the society that looks up to them, will not feel let down.

In semi-retirement now, I consider myself to be very fortunate having done what I consider to be a reasonable and an honest job. I have a “weakness” in my tendency to openly criticize various faults and irregularities in others, a trait I inherited from my late father, despite having my own faults no doubt. I write to medical newsletters, journals and the national press and speak up at gatherings of doctors on these matters. I am supposed to be not very diplomatic in my dealings, in the process making many adversaries. However in our culture, I believe “diplomacy” is often considered to be a weakness and is unlikely to achieve results. I am disheartened by so many letters and articles appearing in the press criticizing the doctors, indicating that the society in general is fast losing faith in this once noble profession.

Now to go back to the quotation at the beginning; those who left the country for greener pastures have been well remunerated, have had comfortable lives and educated their children without much of a hassle. They are now in full retirement probably traveling all over the world on leisure tours or engaged in meditation and other religious practices. Many of them are now serving the motherland in various ways. Most of them are good people whose practice must have been above board. All are necessarily compelled to be ethical and fool-proof in what they do as otherwise the punishment would have been severe in those countries where the laws are strictly enforced, or else litigation could have finished them off.

But are they being recognized now for their contribution of a lifetime? Or are they being treated as spent forces who have been well remunerated for their work and the society feel no further obligation or need for them? They should think again before feeling relieved to have escaped the “mess” that is Sri Lanka!

Back to being regular - Razaque

Lucky please post this in the Blog...... Raz. 

Sorry mates that I was  silent for a while. During that time my thanks from bottom of my heart to Rohini Ana & Sumathi for their kind & concerned messages of enquiry of my fickle health & well-being and ND & Mahen for their kind phone calls & long, interesting chats.

My issues were that I went into 'Hibernation' and in that period was down with a lingering "SNOTTY SUMMER" & progressed on to a lingering "SNOTTY AUTUMN"!!! I then developed a pretty bad Chest Infection that was sorted by a course of A'biotics. Admission to hospital was evaded as a result, but alas, the Blog was the only loser as there was no 'Story' of Hospital experience!!!  

I am pleased to announce to Our Blog followers that I have acquired TWO Companions!! One is from NZ (Waitangi) and the other locally!!!.It was all very amicable and in fact at the behest of Farina!!!.

One of them always. accompany me where ever I go....... the garden to potter-about, GP, Hospital, and even to BED to lay beside me..

I can see hear the sound of the wheels in your heads going at full speed......like "THREE-IN-A-BED" scenario???

I shall leave it to your imagination and await your 'suggestion' & comments.

I solemnly swear that everything said above is TRUE in content.

Your friend forever,

Razaque.

World Scrabble Championship

I received this e-mail from Sanath Lamabadusuriya. You will all agree that this is no mean achievement.

Pram and Rohini Ana have already sent congratulatory messages personally. So have I. But on behalf of our entire batch, I am sending our heartiest congratulations to Harshan. Sanath can certainly be proud of his son's achievement.

Professor Sanath P. Lamabadusuriya	22:57 (9 hours ago)

Dear friends,

I am happy to inform you all that our second son Harshan who is a Paediatrician in England, became the runner-up in the World Scrabble Championship which was concluded in England few hours ago,

Kind regards,

Sanath

Latest CoMSAA Newsletter

Current CoMSAA newsletter carries ND's article (already published on the blog) on the Central Blood Bank.

CoMSAA 2011 <comsaa2011@gmail.com>	20 Jul
to bcc: me

Dear CoMSAA members,

A reminder of the 

Colombo Medical School Alumni Association Annual Academic Sessions and Reunion

2nd and 3rd September 2017

@ Jetwing Blue and Jetwing Beach

Please do join in to celebrate the good times.

​http://www.comsaa.org/reunion-2017/

Any articles or verses or anecdotes of your fond memories of the days at the faculty would be greatly valued, to be published in the souvenir and newsletters.

Hoping to see you at the reunion,

Dr Mrs Aruni Wariyapola

Co Secretary CoMSAA

Colombo Medical School Alumni Association

Faculty of Medicine
University of Colombo
Sri Lanka

comsaa2011@gmail.com

www.comsaa.org

Razaque Ahamat writes.....

This is an e-mail (unedited) sent by Razaque

This is slightly belated, but cannot disappoint Rohini Ana as she was very keen to hear about  the 'incidents' that took place in my recent hospitalisation. It appears that they seem to follow me around!!

Anyway at a rather 'turbulent' period in our Blog, what... with all that Dosa & Vadai dialogue that went on and of course the jubilation of reaching the milestone of a MILLION posts on the Blog, let me say 'BIG THANK YOU' to you for all your untiring  efforts and to all the participants in these 7 years or so for their contribution, without which it could not have achieved so  much success. One moment to those shunned or who were indifferent to participate in this Forum..... "You do not, nor will ever know WHAT YOU HAVE MISSED OUT ON?".

Now for the main item of my hospital 'experience'. You all know that I was admitted to hospital as an emergency on 3 occasions within a few days. When I was admitted with my 'so called chest pain', it was an Irish student nurse who documented initial details. At one point she asked me "Do you live with your wife?" To which I replied with mischief "Yes... with my first wife". She was taken aback. Of course there were other nurses and docs & students who were 'eavesdropping' looked at me with some concern. The female Registrar smiling asked me "How many?" To which I replied "only one"...  relief to some & 'disappointment' to others who wanted to know more of the sordid details. Then I was asked why I said 'lived with my first wife?'. To which I replied "I have only one wife --- only the first one, and I was not telling a lie, was I ??" There was laughter and that 'broke the ice'.

I was then transferred from A&E to the short-stay Acute Medical Ward that had 8 bays with 6 patients in each. It was only then that I realised that it was an Uni-Sex ward!!!... lucky me!! I also realised that I was the only male in that bay...... 'the only COCK in the HEN coop'!!! .....By the way the term 'HEN' is an endearing term in Scotland for the female of the species, although 'COCK' does not refer to males!!! As night fell the two beds on either side of me fell vacant (either discharged or sent to Specialist wards). There were all types of monitoring devices bleeping away, but that did not bother me as the 2 beds next to me were now occupied by two more women of 'ginormous' proportions that I had very rarely seen ever before!! When it was time to sleep and the lights dimmed & curtains round the beds closed 'IT' began. Noises from both sides like 'staccato machine gun fire' ...  volley after volley!!.... they both were FARTING away merrily. I was kept awake by this. Then there was some activity in isle as nurses were talking to the two  ladies. Then the 'machine gun fire' stopped and after awhile there was some 'hissing' sounds. Thought the these ladies had gone into the 'slow release' mode??.

I managed to get some sleep only to be woken up by the nurse come to check  my BP / Blood sugar levels.

I told the nurse "There was some excitement last night & I could not sleep due to the  sound of passing wind by two patients. I suppose other patients may had complained??" She said "NO, it was not the sound but the SMELL,we had to spray the place with odour elliminators "!!. I said " That explains those 'hissing' noises but have lost my sense of smell some time back & I suppose I was lucky, but I unfortunately I had my hearing aid on"....... We had a laugh, ---- to put it lightly!!!. 

Next time....., there will be no next time & will be no follow-ups either as I may be gone for GOOD!!!.

Please pray for me for a "safe journey" to wherever ???

E-mail from Razaque Ahamat

Dr. Razaque Ahamat	16:16 (21 minutes ago)
to me

Dear Lucky,

I am sorry that I was unable to respond to in the Blog as I was "unwell".

In mid June I was taken to Hospital by ambulance on 3 occasions in the space of 10 days-- twice in one day. First was a "chest pain"-- thought my end was nigh???.

Found nothing-- all cardiac enzymes were negative!!...... probably indigestion???.

Next was ten days later when I was going to the toilet @ about 3am, tripped & fell .... hit my "UGLY" face on the radiator & had profuse nasal bleed........ discharged from hosp.... re-bled.... rest is history.!!! Left Hosp. after 3days!!

Shall be in touch again "SOON"!!!!.

Razaque.

p.s.---May post this please. 

An appreciation from Harsha.

On 23 April 2017 at 11:37, Dr. Harsha Samarajiwa <harshasam@sltnet.lk> wrote:

My dear Lucky,

A belated Big Thank you from both of us, to all in the organizing committee for arranging a wonderful week-end in Negombo.

I would like to sincerely thank all my mates from the 62 Group, classmates, friends and patients who sent get well prayers, cards, calls, for a quick recovery. I feel very humbled, and happy about the concern expressed. Looking forward to the next re-union. I felt very disappointed that I missed the Big Match celebrations, but meeting our Group was ample compensation.

I am only hoping that I can get back to Medicine and my patients soon.

Warm Regards to all,

Harsha.

Drama in the high seas off Kalpitiya

Sent in by Srianee Dias

Hi Lucky,

This link was sent to me by one of my younger relatives.  It is a series of outstanding photographs taken in the ocean off Kalpitiya.  The photos document a confrontation between Orcas (called 'killer whales' but in actuality the largest species of the dolphin family) and whales. There is also a narrative accompanying the photos that explains the drama.  I have been on a few whale watching trips in the USA, both on the West coast and off Cape Cod, but have never seen anything as dramatic as this.  Unfortunately, the website includes some advertisements.  I felt that it was something worth sharing, because the whales that are inhabiting the ocean around Sri Lanka are getting a lot of international attention.  I have not yet been able to see the whales in Sri Lanka, but hopefully will get around to it very soon.  Check it out Lucky, and post it if you think it is appropriate. It is quite amazing!

Srianee

See some wonderful images and the story behind them…. Drama in the high seas of Kalpitiya

 

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2017/mar/29/sex-death-sperm-whales-orcas-indian-ocean-in-pictures

How the blog has helped a visitor

On the eve of our 50th anniversary, I received quite a surprise from a viewer who had succeeded in finding a good doctor with the help of this blog. She had just returned to Sri Lanka after a long stay abroad and had been looking high and low, in her quest for a humane doctor at her time of need. As much as I would have liked to share her story with other viewers as requested by her, I knew right along that getting consent from the doctor concerned was not going to be easy. As colleagues of Dr. Harsha Samarajiva, we know very well that he would be the last person to agree to the publication of such material praising him and the obvious publicity he would get from such a post. However, I took up the challenge and personally spoke to Harsha who finally yielded when I stressed that the viewer had written to me and explained that it was through this blog and an article written by Nihal (ND) Amerasekera that had helped her find a good General Physician in a country where she was almost a stranger.

Rather than using my own words in narrating her story, I have reproduced below, her correspondence with me, together with an article and a note of appreciation (unedited) she had added after the consultation.

I must emphasise here that my aim is not to give publicity to my colleague (which he doesn't need anyway) and who in fact, restricts the number of patients he sees on a daily basis. In matters of this nature, I always get the consent of the doctor in the spotlight, before publishing the note or article.

**********************************************************************

Sam Kay	16:58 (21 hours ago)
to me

Dear Dr Lakshman Abeygunawardena, 

Greetings !!

We are patients of your dear colleague, Dr. Harsha Samarajeewa, and wanted a note of appreciation about Dr Harsha to be posted on you blog.  

Managed to find your email address after much scrolling down through articles on the blog of ColomboMedgrds1962 !! You are the unique creator of same.

Just as how this blog helped us, we thought of helping another person out there who will be in search of information about a " Good Doctor"

Dr Harsha was kind enough to share his email address with us and we set a goal to find you, to have this note posted.

we tried posting on the blog on our own, but was unsuccessful in the process. 

The E mail correspondence with Dr Harsha, along with the appreciation note attachments will be forwarded to you . Hope you will approve this and post same. 

we have become a constant visitor to yr blog, and enjoy reading the wonderful articles. 

Wishing you and all you colleagues a wonderful Reunion party !!

Kind regards,

Samitha Kahandawala & Jeffrey Shu.

***************************************************************************************************************

16^th Jan. 2017

HiEveryone,

I am a total stranger to this page, yet my desire to leave a comment on the page grew stronger after reading about Dr.HarshaSamarajeewa, in the article “ The True Professional “  written by  Dr. NihalAmerasekera.

Sure all of you wonderful Doctors/Human beings would wonder how I got here, so let me introduce myself ,ImMrsSamitha Kahandawala, living in Sri Lanka, Nugegoda being my home town. Have lived away from paradise island for over 2 decades and have returned a couple of years ago. 

This beautiful group page was found whiletrying to find a reliable General Physician practicing here in SriLanka. No offence made, but with issues that are being reveled through Media about miss-haps with patients in SL, one need to be careful to avoid the unnecessary.And with my experience after returning to Colombo, is that irrespective of one’s position/designation, life is on a rat race for most. Spending money, getting an appointment with a Doctor sometimes does not last even 5 to 7 minutes once you meet the doctor in person. It is a pathetic situation when compared with times I used to visit our family doctor( Dr. Guy Paranavithana who practiced in Nugegoda) as a kid with my grandparents.

Dr. Paranavithananever rushed and shared many information related to the patient and spent quality time (this is in 1970s). With times passed and generations rolling, a change is unavoidable. Yet unlikely for many kids now a days, the “doctor visits” in my memory book are yet pleasant.

So, since I have been away from SL for some time ,I turned to a reliable friend for help in finding a GP . Itsmy friend who recommended DrHarshaSamarajeewa.Not out of any uncertainty, but to educate myself , I turned to google as most of us would do.

This is where I came across this beautifully created page of ColomboMedGrads1962.

Dear Dr. Lucky Abey (as you are referred on this site), I do not know you personally, but to comment on one’s quality piece work , I guess it is not a barrier. Your hard work and time contributed in creating this page has not only kept all of you connected, but it also has open doors to people to learn and understand a brilliant group of Doctors who graduated along with you back in 1967.Thank you for enabling me to read about Dr. HarshaSamarajeewa. A Doctor with kindness and professionalism, who has made an idol balance in his life as an active sportsmen and a Doctor.I look forward positively in meeting him soon.

And before I sign off with my note, a point to admit is thatDr. NihalAmarasekera’s flair in converting his memories in to write ups is absolutely wonderful. I truly enjoy reading them.It is so good that, even not knowing any of it nor being a part of it at any point, One can read and relate to it as if watching a movie. Well that’s what I felt when reading.

Thank you once again to the creator of the Colombomedgrads1962 page, Dr Lucky Abey ! and the rest of the team who keeps it going.

Dr. Amarasekara, may you find contentment in all what you do, be blessed with good health and may you be inspired to pen-off many more memories.

May blessings of the Triple Gem be with every one of you !!

Kind regards,

Samitha Kahandawala

***************************************************************************************************************

27^th Jan. 2017

A note after meeting Dr. HarshaSamarajeewa..

As I have mentioned in my earlier note, having read through DrHarshaSamrajeewa ,I was keen on meeting up with him, seeking treatment for my fiancé, Jeffrey Shu.

The reason to meet Doctor Harsha is a wheezing cough that has not being treated properly which prolonged for almost 02months. As we waited for our number to be called, one thing we noticed was the time taken by doctor with each patient. It was definitely lengthier than what we have experienced, and the important thing was, all his patients were disciplined enough to wait for their turn without making faces as if “what on earth is taking so long in there” !!

Once our turn came up, we moved in and Doctor stood up with a friendly smile and greeted us. I must say, This is rare with Sri Lankan Doctors at present. Dr. Harsha made us very comfortable with his kind gesture, and didn’t waste any time. He started his trail of questions with the patient, and carefully making his notes.

He gathered all information that could have any leads to patient’s current situation including the health background of other immediate family members. Then he examined the patient with much care and professionalism. we carried all the lab reports and the X-rays copies taken recently ( by a different doctor)  . After the initial round of doubt-clearing, Dr. Harsha asked for the reports and went thru all of them carefully, without any hesitation (usually this is not the case). He made his observations, made notes of it and then came the best part.

Dr. Harsha took time in explaining everything in detail to us, paying attention to the tiniest piece of information. He made it as simple as possible, without using any technical jargon in his explanation. It is of prime importance that A Professional is able to explain things in an unpretentious manner. A patient  knowing about his/her condition will definitely add a plus up towards recovery. Finally did a complete explanation of the prescription, starting from the type of medicine, the reason its been prescribed, the dosage and also the side effects that may occur. 

Our consultation lasted nearly 25minutes, and at the end of it, we felt very clear about the patients situation with  Dos and the Don’ts all included. And we walked out with contentment. 

Dr. Harsha, You have given us confidence ! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts..for being such a wonderful Doctor and a very humble person. We will recommend you to anyone who seek medical attention without any doubt. 

You are definitely  an asset in the Sri Lankan Health Services .

May you be blessed with many more years of good health and may you continue your journey as a Blessed Doctor !

Best Regards,

Samitha Kahandawala & Jeffrey Shu

Goodwill message from an "Honourable Senior"

The 1962 Colombo Medical School Batch,

C/O The Secretary, Organizing Committee

of Golden Jubilee Celebrations 2017,

Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Dear Dames and Mates,

Re:         Golden Jubilee Reunion March 2017

I write with utmost delight to present my good wishes, congratulations and heartfelt sentiments on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee celebrations to a bunch of “Oldies”, that I first knew as a youthful and attractive batch of lovely youngsters in the June of 1962.

I have a vivid picture of most of you walking into the Block’ sheepishly’ in your fancy attire, the Dames in particular in Raincoats of all colours.  This must have been quite an experience in the heat of the Seniors and the weather !

Though I was not too keen on some of the harsh practices, I did “Rag” some of you, mostly the outstanding, noteworthy personalities.  Asked for the name, Rohini blurted “Abeyratna”.  I asked whether she was any relation of our Dean “PACHOS”?  She responded “Oh that’s my father”.  I yelled, “Miss what great misfortune”?  She looked down and said no more. Your current chairperson SWYRIE also copped a bit of verbal barrage from me.  Many other hilarious moments are too long to mention, but I also served a protective role of you from bad ragging.

The June to December 1962 period that I was closely associated with you as my juniors was indeed a most enjoyable, delightful time.  We parted company from the Block, when I commenced the clinical years in the wards in January 1963, but I had the pleasure of continuing my personal interactions with most of you until I graduated in 1966.

Not so long after you graduated, and most of you left the “then CEYLON” to various destinations in the world, where you excelled in various fields of Medicine to become renowned Medical Consultants.  Some remaining in Sri Lanka seem to have done as good, ‘donning’ the highest of “decorations”.  My Congratulations again !

I sincerely hope that the colourful and flamboyant “OLDIES” enjoy a most wonderful Golden Jubilee.  I would have relished very much watching your FUN & RIOT as a bystander at the Hotel.  Your able committee and its meticulous secretary Lucky would ensure a memorable time for all of you.

Finally, my best wishes to all those colourful Male and Female personalities, who have flocked in from various parts of the world in a spirit of LOVE, Batch Mate Bonding and Glorious FUN !

Yours Sincerely,

With Fond Regards,

Ranjith Hettiarachi – Melbourne.

A message from Rohini Ana

We were all wondering what Rohini was up to. She made a brief appearance in Sri Lanka a couple of months ago (that too to attend a family event) and only a few like Pram and Rohini Abhaya were able to meet her personally. On top of that, it was from Sanath Lama that I heard about Rohini's most unexpected but brief hospitalisation at Nawaloka. With the blessings of the Triple Gem (according to my religion), her ailment was minor and recovery was quick. Yet, she managed to find the time to call me and had a brief chat on the phone. I appreciated that very much. It is quite unlike her to be away from the blog for so long. But in this message written with her characteristic humour and panache, she explains herself and her prolonged absence from where the action is. It is also most timely in that we as a batch, are about to celebrate our 50th anniversary since graduation. I thought that it deserves to be a separate post rather than just a comment.

***************************************************************

Dear friends,

Many thanks for remembering me in the blog! Bunter who  alerted me to the fact seemed herself to be wondering what became of me after she missed me by minutes in SL!

On my return from our unexpected trip to SL during which time I even tried my luck at the "Pearly Gates" but was declined entry!, I had a brief spell with my daughter who visited from NY, then departed to Oz  for a wedding and more family events, returned home to a surprise visit from a relative from Wales who leaves on wednesday, keeping me on my toes until my sister and family arrive on thursday from Melbourne to attend a function in Auckland !

Stormy ??

By now I know the futility of waiting for storms to pass, and try to keep dancing while it rages !

Bunter's email prompted me to have a quick browse of the recent posts in the blog - I so enjoyed the incredibly beautiful prose, poems, and dialogue and wonder at the amazing untapped talent our batchmates have been blessed with. There was much profound thought too which was worthy of discussion - but need to leave for another time! Not the least - Lucky's account of the naughty pranks our guys had been up to, was funny and beyond belief !
We girls in comparison were so cocooned and overprotected- that 'pimps' and 'prostitutes' were terms we encountered only after our med school days !!

ND, Mahen,Kumar, Bunter and Zita, I am  sorry I have not acknowledged any of your excellent contributions to the blog, and hope I can begin to show my appreciation soon.

Meantime I wish all those attending the Big Reunion a wonderful time, and extend my warm regards to everyone.

With Best Wishes

Rohini A.

Dr. Sunanda (Jimmy) Wickramasinghe - sent in by Mahendra (Speedy) Gonsalkorale

Correction:

Mahendra Gonsalkorale	17:49 (2 hours ago)
to me

Dear Lucky,

Just a correction about Jimmy. Thanks for publishing it but as I said in my email, it appeared in a Blog (and was not written by Jimmy).

Jimmy forwarded an article about him that appeared in a Blog called "Bolder". 

Bolder was launched in March 2015, with a mission to champion people casting aside age stereotypes and doing inspirational and interesting things as they grow older. The blog is run by friends and former colleagues Helen Cathcart and Dominique Afacan, a photographer and writer respectively.

If possible,may be you can add the bit about Bolder and say it was about Jimmy and not by Jimmy.

Speedy

*****************************************************************************************************************

Mahendra (Speedy) Gonsalkorale had sent an article written on Jimmy Wickramasinghe. I acknowledged receipt of Speedy's e-mail thus:

Dear Speedy,

Thank you so much for sending the article on Jimmy and for attending to formalities like getting his consent for the publication. As you know, I don't publish anything without the publisher's consent. This is one way you can rope in others to participate. I have read through it and will be posted without any delay. My own discipline being Public Health, I tend to find articles like Jimmy's very interesting and easy to understand - a far cry from the highly technical articles from the medical field!

I wish to thank Jimmy as well. Hope you will be a regular visitor to our batch blog in future. I don't think Jimmy knew that I had contact with his father the late Dr. W.G. Wickramasinghe in the early seventies. In fact, he presented to me a book that he had written (his autobiography). How this contact began is a long story. But in a nutshell, when I was the MOH at Matara, I was going through the much thumbed Visitors Book and came across an entry that Dr. Wickramasinghe had made. He had visited the Matara MOH office for an inspection when he was on "circuit" as the Director of Health Services. As he had mentioned that he too had served as the MOH, Matara many years before my stint, and we had many topics of common interest, I just dropped a line (by snail mail) to which he replied. He had invited me to drop in at his Bullers Lane home on my next visit to Colombo. I did so and that's how he presented me a copy of his book which for years was occupying a place on the bookshelf of my small library at home. But one day, I mentioned to my wife's aunt Mrs. Leela Basnayake (wife of former Attorney General and Chief Justice Hema Basnayake) that her name was also mentioned in Dr. Wickramasinghe's book. She had not seen it and as such, requested me to lend it to her for a week or so. As often happens, I never got it back and unfortunately, she passed away shortly thereafter.

During the time I had contact with his father, Jimmy was out of the country. Ironically, I hardly had any contact with Jimmy during our medical student days. One reason was that we never worked in any group together because I am an Abey with an "A" and he is a Wick with a "W", two letters that are far apart in the English alphabet!

Regards.

Lucky

Dr.Wickremesinghe, 75

Dr. Wickremesinghe, known as ‘Jimmy Wickers’ to his patients, qualified in medicine in Sri Lanka, before continuing his training in the UK. He currently works as a GP at his practice in Stockwell, and up until 2006, also worked as a breast cancer surgeon and an endoscopist.

“I think medicine has always been in my blood; the majority of my family members are in the medical profession and my Dad was awarded an OBE and CMG by the Queen in the 50s for his contribution to eradicating malaria in Sri Lanka, where we grew up. I moved to the UK once I’d qualified. It wasn’t a culture shock; as a British colony I feel we were bought up to be more English than the English in a way! 

I met my wife at the Mayday hospital in Croydon in the mid 70s; she was a nurse there at the time and we’ve lived in Dulwich Village since 1980. The house is halfway between the hospital I worked at up to the age of 65 and the surgery where I still practice today. I’ve been at the NHS for 49 years so next year will be a bit of a landmark. I have seen families grow, relatives pass and new babies being born which creates a special bond as a doctor. As a cancer surgeon; I didn’t have that type of long-term bond with my patients, although from a purely technical and medical perspective that was perhaps when I felt most inspired by my work.

I have a brother who is a cardiologist in Australia and if I had my time again, I think I would live over there; the work balance is much better and it’s more conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Having said that, I do believe that life has a path and things tend to work out and settle as they should so I tend to try and avoid regrets when I can. It’s a waste of valuable energy. I was also invited to work over in America but I’m pleased I didn’t go. The medical system there is very fractured and it’s more of a commercial proposition. I work in quite a deprived area and I think it’s important that patients get the treatment required irrespective of their ability to pay. 

I know it sounds strange for a doctor but I’m a bit lazy when it comes to exercise and find it hard to stick to a regime. I like swimming but I don’t like the pools in England, the water is too cold – so I just do a bit of walking and sometimes play tennis. I am blessed that every day I come back to a home-cooked meal from my wife Kath. She eats quite healthily so as a result I do too. I probably drink a bit too much; a couple of glasses of wine every evening, and the occasional gin and tonic, but I gave up smoking about 15 years ago. I was a heavy smoker, but I only started in my 30s. I used to bring duty free cigarettes back from my travels for my friends then eventually I started myself! 

I haven’t really noticed ageism. We don’t go by chronological age in my profession; biological age is more important. There are 60 year olds who are quite ill, while there are 90 year olds who are very fit, playing golf and living the life of Riley. As far as my work goes, patients tend to associate age with experience – at least that’s my impression, so in practice it can even be a positive thing. One thing I do notice is loneliness. I have a lot of patients in their 80s or 90s living isolated in tower blocks, lots of them with no family or with children who can’t be bothered to visit. This is a growing problem in England. There is no community cohesion. In Asian culture, older people are more respected and integrated into everyday family life. I think we can learn from this in the Western world. 

The most important lesson I’ve learnt is to act with honesty, integrity and fairness with everyone you meet in life. And always be kind. My job has taught me that you never know what people are going through behind closed doors. I also think family is key. I always encourage big get-togethers at our home. Our two children, Nick and Katy, live in Battersea, so we are lucky to see them a lot – now we’re just waiting for some grandchildren! All our contemporaries have them and we are very envious.

My life motto? Health is wealth.