Jeffrey kept his tryst with Christ on January 24 and slipped into eternity peacefully.
He was a product of Prince of Wales, Moratuwa in his early days and moved on to S. Thomas College, Mount Lavinia, where he excelled in studies and sports. He played for the college cricket team and was in the Big Match against Royal.
He entered Medical College and played cricket for the Colombo University. He represented Bloomfield and Nomads clubs too. He was in the University cricket team that toured Singapore and it was there he met his sweetheart Catherine in 1959 and married her in Sri Lanka in 1960. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in December 2010.
Jeffrey served as Medical Officer in several stations finally ending up as Medical Officer in the Colombo Municipality.
He migrated to England and worked as a GP, for many years in Middlesex. At a time when the medical profession is heavily criticized he was a beacon – a man of lofty ideals.
Jeffrey was very attached to his wife and children to whom he was not only a father but a true friend too.
Cheerful, honest and trustworthy, Jeffrey's numerous good qualities earned him a wide circle of friends. He loved fun and found time to be with others whose company he enjoyed.
He was a member of the Free Lances Association, comprising six Royalists and six Thomians. We have stuck with this allegiance from our youth, dwindling in numbers due to the fast exodus to the Elysium fields.
Jeffrey has left indelible footprints. May his soul rest in peace.
Free Lances
A dear friend from those golden years at S. Thomas
Raja Amerasinghe (RMA)
It was with great sorrow that I heard of the demise of my good friend Raja Amerasinghe, who passed away on the night of January 21, 2012. It was a solace to hear that his was a peaceful death. He was cremated at the General Cemetery, Kanatte, on January 23, before a large and distinguished gathering.
Raja was the son of the late Somadatta and Sumana Amerasinghe. Mr. Somadatta Amerasinghe was a former Commissioner of Elections in Sri Lanka.
Raja is probably the only Thomian who is also an “old boy” of Ladies College, Colombo 7, where he had his nursery education. His two sisters, lrangani and Sujatha, attended Ladies.
Raja joined “the school by the sea” at Mt. Lavinia, where we met in Grade 1. For 13 years we attended this citadel of education, moving up from grade to grade. This was the golden era of our lives.
Raja was a giant of a man with an imposing personality, and with a great appetite for food. But he was gentle as a lamb and had the heart of an angel.
At college, we were actively involved in sports activities, literary societies, drama circles and “Hela-Haula”, under Mr. Pinto Jayawardena and Mr. Arisen Ahubudu. We had our share of fun and frolic.
I was sergeant of the Senior Cadet Corps, and Raja was the L/SGT. We had a night camp once, and we occupied the college hall balcony for the night. Raja smuggled in a bottle of beer. We were later joined by Kalu Wije, a rookie in the platoon, who wanted his share of the beer. Kalu Wijerathne, who retired as Major-General of the Sri Lanka Army.
The college prefects, or “cops”, were a nasty lot. On several occasions we were hauled before the Warden, Canon R. S. de Saram, and given a caning. We were determined to do something about the sneaking.
On the eve of a Royal-Thomian cricket match, the cops attended a function outside the school and returned by train when it was dark. We ambushed them opposite the railway station, attacking them with brickbats, stones, and more. We bolted to evade identification. Next day, four of us were hauled up before the Warden, who caned us without even asking for an explanation. Fair enough, we had been identified. The head cop was M. Bala. He was a good chap.
One day, the four of us went to the Majestic Theatre for a matinee show. After the show, we walked into the Mayfair Hotel across the road. Each ordered food for himself. After the meal, we told the waiter what we had eaten. I said that I had had two egg-hoppers and six plain hoppers, and it continued thus until it came to Raja’s turn. He looked sheepish and muttered, “Six egg-hoppers and 75 string hoppers.”
We pooled our resources but still could not meet the bill. One of us suggested that we “do a bolt.” I objected, as Raja, with the load in his belly, would have been stopped before he had proceeded 10 yards. We compromised and left behind a wristwatch and made a hasty retreat, lest we were made to wash dishes for a couple of days.
We were involved in several juicy and spicy incidents, but space does not permit me to narrate these.
After our stints in that hallowed place of learning, Raja joined the plantation sector and I joined the Sri Lanka Police. Through the years we made it a point to meet at the Royal-Thomian matches, and any event organised by the college, such as centenary group functions, and so on.
In November 1969, when I was attached to the Chilaw Division, I received a summons from Raja. We met in Colombo. He insisted that I be his best man at his wedding. I obliged, and the wedding took place on November 6, 1969. I too signed on the dotted line the same day.
Raja married Sarojini, fondly called Saro, a charming lass from the Rock City, a graduate with double degrees who held several senior posts in the government and the private sector. She was a source of strength to Raja. Saro was always happy to entertain Raja’s friends and guests, and gave advice to those who needed it. The couple were blessed with a son, Asitha, and two daughters, Surani and Ushi. They are married and settled down as responsible citizens.
In his latter years, Raja did a lot of meritorious work as administrative secretary of the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust, while Saro ventured into social service, in which she is still involved.
Let me extend my heartfelt sympathies to Saro, the children, and all relatives.
Raja, you were a good man, a good friend, a good husband, and a good father. We all miss you.
May you attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.
Tikka Jayasinghe
To the precious, fragrant Lily of our family
Lily Agnes Fernando
Eighty-three years ago a child was born to a young couple. At the child’s birth, her mother, who was remembered for years as a very beautiful woman, passed away.
At the time this was quite a common family tragedy. The families of both parents were determined to compensate the little child for her loss and to bring her up with all the love they were capable of. One strategy was for the girl’s aunt to marry the girl’s father.
This happened. With outpourings of love, this child blossomed. The belief in love was to become the foundation of all her beliefs and acts in life.
The family named her Lily Agnes, and truly a lily she was.
Those who knew her would say that here was a woman who has left a message that to many seemed so difficult to achieve in life. The message she leaves is that love is the greatest virtue of all.
This Lily will be remembered by all who knew her as one of the most beautiful human beings they were privileged to know.
May many such lilies be born to make this world as beautiful as she made it.
Basil Fernando
To Sir, with love
M. Krishnapillai
As young man, 40 years ago, one pleasant evening, I was interviewed in your office. I was delighted when you told me I had been selected for an apprenticeship under you. This gave me the opportunity and privilege to work closely with a fabulous human being, dedicated to lofty humane values. It did not take me long to realise that with some endeavour on my part I too could before long become a full-fledged architect.
During my long association with you, I learned more than just the finer points of architecture. Your inspiration in my personal life made my life’s journey pleasant and satisfactory. Your benevolence, uprightness, large heartedness, and sincere devotion to the profession of architecture were indeed remarkable.
You were one of the pioneer Sri Lankan architects to establish a private practice in this country. You served on the council of The Sri Lanka Institute of Architects for more than 20 years, and you were elected president on two occasions. You also served as Chairman of the Board of Architectural Education for two terms. You rendered excellent architectural services to individual clients, companies, ranks, corporations and government.
Sir – a very big Thank You for everything you have done – not only for me but also for the noble profession of architecture and thereby for the country.
On this first year of remembrance, I express my deep gratitude and say how much I cherish your memory.
May the Lord grant you eternal rest.
Remly Fernando
Confident and dedicated doctor, respected by patients and colleagues
Dr. Ravi Sockanathan
The sudden demise of Dr. Ravi Sockanathan, consultant in sexual health in the UK, has caused deep sorrow among his colleagues. He passed away in the early hours of October 28, while in Sri Lanka to attend the 16th annual scientific sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Venereologists (SLCV). Since 2002, he had visited Sri Lanka every year to participate in the SLCV sessions.
Dr. Ravi Sockanathan graduated from the University of Colombo in 1977, and trained as an intern at the General Hospital Colombo. He went on to work as a district medical officer at the Maskeliya District Hospital, where he developed a special interest in venereology and public health medicine.
After his initial years of medical practice in Sri Lanka, he proceeded to England for postgraduate training. He was appointed as a specialist registrar in genito-urinary medicine and dermatology at Birmingham and Wolverhampton University Teaching Hospitals. He went on to gain experience in general practice (primary care), and obtained accreditation as a GP specialist from the Wakefield Area Health Authority.
In recognition of his skills as a generalist and a specialist, he was accredited by the joint committee of Postgraduate Training in General Practice (JCPTGP) of the Royal College of General Practitioners, and worked in the social security system of the UK. From 1990 to 2003, he served as a Career Physician Genito-urinary Medicine at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, UK.
He was a confident and dedicated doctor who empathised with his patients, and his patients had a high regard for him. He was involved in NHS, the private sector, and the Royal College of Sexual Health, UK.In 2003, Dr. Sockanathan was appointed Lead Clinician in Genito-urinary Medicine and Sexual Health at the South West Essex Primary Care Trust, National Health Services, United Kingdom.
In addition to his NHS involvement, Dr Sockanathan was medical director of East-West Health Care Services, a private company that works with specialists in South India, Malaysia, and Australia.
Dr. Sockanathan’s scholarly articles have appeared in the British Medical Journal, The British Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, The DOCTOR magazine, and the International Journal of the Ageing Male. He was chairman of the ethics committee of the Association of Shared Care Urology (ASCU).
He had a special interest in teaching and developing evidence based on clinical practice in sexual health, among venereologists, general physicians, and colleagues practising in Sri Lanka.
In 2002, Ravi was guest of honour at the annual scientific sessions of the SLCV. Soon after, he became a life member of the college and was honoured as an Honorary Fellow of the SLCV in 2006. He was conferred the fellowship amidst a distinguished gathering, a proud moment in his life.
He enjoyed being in Sri Lanka among friends, relatives and colleagues. He also lectured on sexual health for general practitioners, on the invitation of the Independent Medical Practitioners Association of Sri Lanka. He also helped the SLCV to organise skills-building workshops for diploma trainees. He happily assisted postgraduate trainees when they arrived in UK for the overseas training. Ravi and wife Sujatha made sure the trainees were well looked after and maintained contact with them during their stay in the UK.
Ravi’s life revolved around his family. Sujatha was the strength behind his success. His son Sanjeev is a general practitioner in the UK, and daughter Priya plans to follow the same path led by father and brother.
Memories of Dr. Ravi Sockanathan will remain with us for many years to come.
The Sri Lanka College of Venereologists |
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