Appreciations
View(s):An unassuming, experienced role model of a surgeon
Dr S.J.Stephen
Along our trek in life we meet many, we get to know them, but as the scene changes they fade into the passing years. Yet some touch a chord somewhere inside us and their memory never fades. In the late 70s, when a young surgeon, I trained under this unassuming, humble man , the foremost Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon of his day in the General Hospital Colombo.
A master craftsman, he was bold, experienced and a pleasure to watch and assist. His surgical skill when in full flow was unquestionably a work of art. He was one of the pioneers of open heart surgery and he with Cardiac Consultant Anaesthetist Dr. Thistle Jayawardene would follow a strict routine which gave them good results.
The ward rounds were a treat; all the children with congenital cardiac defects awaiting surgery would lift their shirts so that he could hold his stethoscope to their chest, then giggle and run away. He never missed out any of the kids and always had a friendly word for them.
We who were of the next generation of surgeons found in him a role model. He was decisive, quick and concerned, giving his best to the patient. He would never refuse a case referred to him or baulk at a difficult case; all were challenges to him.
He once told me he was happiest when scrubbing for an operation, going over in his mind the nuances of the challenge that lay ahead of him. In later years when we had problems working on our own, he would give us helpful advice on the phone.
His guidance as the Chairman of the Board of Surgery, with its many opinionated surgeons brought out his ability to be both circumspect, tactful and wise. He was held in high esteem by all of us. We have lost a great soul, may he rest in peace.
Dr. Channa Ratnatunga
The heart will always be steadfast and true
Colonel Fazly Laphir
In memory of Colonel Fazly Laphir (P.W.V , R.W.P , R.S. P ), Commanding Officer, 1st Regiment Special Forces killed in action on July 19, 1996 in Mullaitivu
My dearest darling Fazly,
Free flowing words
give meaning to blank pages.
Strokes of colour,
brighten white canvases,
hollow bamboo tunes,
form subtle rhythms,
returns to life with touches.
Poems remind me of-
your love ever so pure
Paintings;
Honest smiles’ hue.
Melodies from flute music
simple ways all through.
The heart
steadfast and true.
With words, colours, rhythms
and wood,
I am trying to turn my pain.
Then I find the
Illusion of reality
My humble attempts
seem in vain.
You ever loving – Ano
Teaching was not a job, but a passion for her
Nalini De Alwis
Nalini De Alwis or Aunty Nalini as she was known to all of us was a truly remarkable lady. She was a teacher and mentor to many including some of Colombo’s elite. Her mastery of the English language was second to none and she was known as a true champion of the language, to the extent that she was affectionately referred to as the “English Teacher “.
When I first met Aunty Nalini she was simply my elocution teacher who I met every Saturday morning. I still recall the first time I had the honour of meeting this lady. It was 1998 when she mentored me through grade 1 of English spoken exams conducted by Trinity College London. My initial impression of her was that she was a warm and friendly person which was true until you turned up to her classroom without doing her homework! Aunty Nalini was certainly not shy about expressing herself. There was an instance when I turned up at the class one morning where I “forgot” to do the work that was allocated to me. In the middle of the class, in the middle of my colleagues, Aunty Nalini picked up the phone and informed my mother that I had not practised my readings or done my homework that week. That was the last time I turned up unprepared! It was not just me who was at the receiving the end of Aunty Nalini’s verbal beatings.
One of my favorite anecdotes was when a famous Sri Lankan sprinter came to Aunty Nalini for help with her English. Let’s call her “Juliet”. This lady had been in a hurry to speak English quickly and had told Aunty Nalini, “ Madam, I would like to learn to speak English quickly so I do not need to study grammar”. A cardinal sin. Aunty Nalini replied as only she could; “ Juliet, the day you run without your legs is the day that I will teach you English without grammar” !
Aunty Nalini was no ordinary lady. She was always elegantly dressed and oozed class and sophistication. Family was a crucial part of her life – not only did she fulfil her duties as a mother, sibling and wife, but all her students too were an extension of her family. Teaching was not a job, but a passion for her. She genuinely cared about us beyond the hour that we spent with her every week. A voracious reader she actively encouraged her students to read and widen their overall knowledge beyond English. What made Aunty Nalini extraodinary was her ability to see potential in every student and mentor and nurture it. She encouraged creativity, the freedom to express and openly discuss our opinions in matters.
To me, Aunty Nalini was an inspiration, someone who instilled in me one of the greatest gifts one could have – confidence. She belived in all her students and their individual ability to make a meaningful impact on this great country of ours. It has been a year since Aunty Nalini passed away and the fact that she was teaching even during her last days is a testament to her character. Her legacy is us, her students who are scattered around the globe. It is our responsibility to honour this great lady by showing the same courage and determination that she did; and to inspire the next generation.
May she attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.
Najith Wijesiriwardena
Thank you for the music and memories
Nihal Samarasinghe (‘Sam the Man’)
Nihal Samarasinghe of Mount Lavinia, popularly known as ‘Sam the Man’ – the master musician who enteratined audiences with lively music for more than 50 fantastic years passed away quite suddenly last week at the age of 80.
He was schooled at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia during the Canon De Saram era and was always a central figure at the annual Old Boys luncheons at the College Dining hall. His wit brought out his character and he enjoyed reverting to his student day language spoken say 60 years ago. As a musician trained at the old music institution the Menezies School at Bambalapitiya , he played for 50 years lively music on the saxophone with much gusto to entertain the Taprobane Hotel’s Harbour Room ‘Sundown Dances’.There was never a Thomian scout camp, be it at Nuwara Eliya or Galle without his lively participation. He was loved by all for his youthful sense of fun and joie d’vivre.
Sam enjoyed nearly 50 years of wedded life with Felicia, not forgetting his life’s other companion, the saxophone, that he played everyday.
This Thomian had a large heart and will be sadly missed by the Thomian fraternity and the general public who enjoyed his lively music and song, especially the old favourites ‘Oh My Darling Clementine’, ‘You are My Sunshine’, ‘Roll out the Barrel’, ‘Tipperary’ and a host of others.
The Sundown Dances like his happy life would end on Saturdays with his favourite closing song ‘May the Good Lord bless and keep you’.
Upali Salgado
Tribute to a silent patriot
Daya Fernando
Daya Fernando died as he lived throughout his 70 odd years, with dignity, grace and sans fanfare. Daya was born into a wealthy family which did not seek political power–a rare thing in those days.
In the late Sixties, a young confident stripling with a pleasant smile appeared at S.Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia’s Middle School. He did not seem overawed by the boys who had been there from Lower School or the impressive environs of the School by the Sea itself. He had been at Gurutalawa, the school’s branch in the Uva where an intrepid British educationist Dr. R.L. Hayman (PhD Oxford) had built up the school. The school was modelled in the classical British school tradition: Mens sana in corpor sano: a healthy mind in a healthy body.
Daya and his colleagues had gone through all that: cross- country running, swimming etc but in studies in my opinion were no better than that of their counterparts of the School by the Sea.
He probably gained the confidence and ability to go through challenges at Mt. Lavinia and later in life with what he had imbibed at Gurutalawa.
Daya was a few years my junior and soon had a wide circle of friends. He was the apple of his doting mother’s eye and she was justifiably wary of his obstreperous friends and soon after he left school had him proceed to London presumably for further studies.
The academic pursuits of Daya in London are not much known to his friends but in a few years he returned home with a beautiful Swiss wife, Rita-the best qualification he could have possessed. Rita and Daya made a splendid couple and they went through life together until that fateful day of Daya’s departure.Daya found in Rita a life mate and in business and social life Rita played the role of a gracious and generous host.
After his father’s death Daya together with his brother Bernard ran his family business with much success. They improved and enlarged the business and Daya took on the challenge of building Nuwara Eliya’s only star class hotel in the Seventies—The Windsor Hotel named after the modest restaurant started by his father. It still is the only hotel of its kind in this town other than the long standing Grand Hotel.
A remarkable quality of Daya was that he was a man of few words and even his actions were not very much evident. It was known that he helped those in difficulties but he did not speak or publicise it.Daya’s desire to help the helpless came into full flow when the LTTE conflict began impacting on civilian life. He had made friends with Denzil Kobbekaduwe through his old schoolmate Kalu Wijeratne who in retirement held the rank of Major General. Denzil and Kalu were in the same batch that was sent to Sandhurst and on their return became close friends. In the 80s when terrorism spread to the Wanni, the border villagers faced grave threats from the LTTE. They were deprived of basic facilities. The army itself needed assistance with soldiers in need of basic clothing essentials.
Denzil Kobbekaduwe helped to organise the Vijaya Bahu Trust Fund through which money and essential items were chanelled. Daya and his close friends helped collect these items and got them through to the villagers too. Daya not only contributed in cash and kind but also roped in his friends and even Rita’s visiting relations and close friends to help collect funds and other items.
Another fund was formed – the Tawalama Development Foundation ( in which Col. Anil Amarasekera played a key role) which expanded their activities says Javana, a son of Daya who together with other family members were actively involved in this humanitarian project. The assistance which came in even from abroad was handled by a few volunteers and transported to the villages directly without involving any bureaucracy. The Tawalama Foundation assisted not only Sinhala villages but also Tamil villages. Roads and water tanks were renovated under the project.
Daya was a successful and honest businessman; a devoted husband, dutiful father and a true patriot of Sri Lanka.
Gamini Weerakoon