Appreciations
View(s):A journey of humility and unwavering commitment to humanity
Dr. Jeevanie Rubasinghe
It was not a long-standing professional or personal relationship – but the moment we met about 10 years ago, we felt like kindred spirits.The immaculately-clad and beautiful, Dr. Jeevanie Rubasinghe, and myself a senior medical journalist met, I cannot remember exactly what the inauguration was, but at an annual session of a professional college and a strong bond ensued.
Every time I attended such a session, thereafter, I would look for her, sit beside her and joke about her husband, well-known Cardiologist Dr. Vajira Senaratne, who came late for these inaugurations due to his onerous workload. It was also obvious to me that husband and wife were very close, as I saw the banter and chats over the dinners which followed these inaugurations.
Dr. Jeevanie would laugh whenever I made a beeline to the food station serving batter-fried prawn, while conceding that I may soon have to seek treatment from Dr. Vajira after eating all that fried stuff.
I enjoyed her company very much as she was always-smiling, “bubbly” is how I would describe her, leaving all those around her happy too.
Not from Colombo, but Matara, she received her primary and secondary education at Sujatha Balika Vidyalaya there, entering the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, and passing out as a doctor in 1985 with Second Class Honours.
Serving as an intern at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) under Dr. W.A.S. de Silva and Dr. B.J. Masakorala, Jeevanie went along the rheumatology and rehabilitation line, securing the Doctor of Medicine degree from the Post-Graduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) in 1993 and heading for the United Kingdom after the local training to secure her MRCP (Member of the Royal College of Physicians) in 1996.
Back in Sri Lanka, once Board-certified as a Consultant in Rheumatology and Rehabilitation of the Health Ministry, Dr. Jeevanie’s service spanned nearly 25 years – first at the Kalutara General Hospital, then at the Ragama Rehabilitation Hospital and finally the NHSL. She retired in 2020.
In Kalutara, she was instrumental in setting up the Department of Rheumatology, while many were the capacity development and infrastructure improvement programmes she implemented in the hospitals she served.
Dr. Jeevanie was also a Senior Lecturer, in an honorary capacity, for undergraduate and post -graduate students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, becoming a popular teacher and trainer.
A dedicated, caring and compassionate physician, numerous were the challenging experiences, particularly at the Ragama Rehabilitation Hospital where the patients were young and mostly paralysed due to spinal fractures, that left her emotionally drained. She built a cohesive and dedicated team of medical and paramedical staff to provide these patients with a sense of hope for a return to normal life, while boosting their morale.
A devout Buddhist, she strove to live by Buddhist principles and even when she was critically ill, she endured it with fortitude, without complaining about her pain and suffering.
Her journey has been one of purpose, humility and unwavering commitment to humanity and it was after her passing on May 3, 2025, that Dr. Vajira and their beloved daughter, Hiruni, heard from various people, far and near, of all the good deeds she had done silently.
While this should give them the strength and courage to face the future without her, here is what Sachithra, one of her trainees has said with eloquence:
An epitome of a wise teacher,
But never a matronly preacher,
A compassionate confidante,
So sensible and benevolent,
A maternal soul, a clinical lead,
You are a true lady indeed!
May her sojourn in Samsara be brief and may she attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana!
Kumi
Thank you for the guidance, inspiration and happy memories
Hema Karunaratne
August 5, marks the first death anniversary of Hema Karunaratne (nee Seneviratne), fondly known to us as Aunty Hema. I have known Aunty Hema since my childhood, and many are the memories associated with her.
Her passing away a year ago has left a void in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. She was more like family and her presence in our childhood was a source of warmth, guidance and inspiration. A dignified lady from up country, hailing from a distinguished family in Menama, Aranayake, she lived a contented and peaceful life with her husband K.B. Karunaratne in her ancestral home in the final years of her life.
Both Aunty and Uncle (who last served as the Social Assistant to the former President D.B. Wijetunga) became associated with our family back in the mid-1970s in the homely environs of the Sri Lanka High Commission, in New Delhi, India. Aunty Hema’s lively disposition and talents in singing and dancing, meant she was a favourite among all the children. Aunty Hema, along with Eileen Siriwardene (wife of the High Commissioner Justin Siriwardena) and Mrs. Wimalaratne, performed wonders with the children by training them in many traditional forms of dancing so they could take part in cultural events. Their guidance opened up opportunities for us to perform in the presence of the then President of India, Dr. Ali Ahmed, Indian National TV, Doordharshan, our alma mater, Carmel Convent School among others. We kept in touch over the years and in 1996 she played a vital role in organising the Old Delhiites get-together at the Wadduwa Beach Resort which brought together many families who resided at the High Commission during the period around 1973-1980 with Mrs. Siriwardena and Ray Forbes (DHC) gracing the occasion.
Though Uncle Karu and Aunty Hema moved to their ancestral home in Aranayake some years ago from Colombo, distance did not diminish our closeness. They were a hospitable couple, and their home was always open with an immaculately dressed Aunty Hema welcoming us with her broad smile and warm hugs.
Early last year, when the usual telephone calls from Aunty ceased, my sixth sense told me that something was terribly wrong. Having contacted Uncle, we learnt that she was not too well. What stands out most is her resilience that carried her through the final months of her life.
Uncle Karu was a devout husband who lovingly cared for her in the final months of her life. May he find the courage to live without his life’s companion (jeevan saathi) who was the strongest presence in his life.
This first death anniversary is a time for reflection and for gratitude. Gratitude for the fine times we shared and the fond memories that still live on in all those who had the good fortune to associate with her. We shall remember Aunty Hema not with sadness but with the happiness of having had the privilege of knowing her.
May your journey in Sansara be short and may you attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.
Truly missed and remembered.
Champa Wickremasinghe
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