Appreciations
View(s):A guiding light in radiology and literature
Dr. Premini Amerasinghe
With hearts heavy with grief yet filled with gratitude, we, the radiology fraternity of Sri Lanka, pay tribute to Dr. Premini Amerasinghe – a mentor, leader and inspiration whose wisdom, kindness and brilliance shaped generations of doctors and touched countless lives.Born in 1933, the daughter of the eminent cardiologist Dr. Hilary Gunawardane and Mrs Beatrice Gunawardane, Dr. Amerasinghe received her early education at Ladies’ College, Colombo. She graduated MBBS from the University of Ceylon in 1958 with a distinction in Medicine. Married to Dr. Mark Amerasinghe, a distinguished orthopaedic surgeon, she was blessed with four daughters, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Her journey into radiology began at the persuasion of Dr. A.W. Athukorale, under whose guidance and later that of Dr. S.N.B. Talwatte, her lifelong friend, she built a strong foundation. In 1969, she trained in the UK on a Colombo Plan scholarship, specializing in chest and cardiac radiology at Westminster Hospital, Brompton Chest Hospital, and Guy’s & St. Thomas. When the local postgraduate training programme in radiology was launched, she effortlessly earned her MD in Radiology from the Postgraduate Institute of the University of Colombo.
Returning home, she was posted as consultant radiologist at the General Hospital, Kandy, serving tirelessly from 1971 until her retirement in 1988. In an era when radiologists were few and mostly confined to Colombo, she singlehandedly shouldered the radiological needs of the Central Province and beyond. Her dedication was legendary: she was punctual, tireless and compassionate. She never kept patients waiting, whether for ultrasonography, angiography, fluoroscopy, or plain film reporting. Her diagnostic brilliance, particularly in congenital and acquired cardiac diseases, was unmatched at a time when echocardiography was unheard of in Sri Lanka.
Affectionately known as “Madam”, she was among Sri Lanka’s first few female radiologists standing tall among her male peers long before women came to dominate the field. She became the first female President of the Sri Lanka College of Radiologists (SLCR) and later its patron, mentoring generations with integrity, humility and unwavering professionalism.
After retirement from the Ministry of Health, she continued to serve as a senior lecturer in the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, and as an honorary consultant radiologist at the Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya until 1995. She published several research papers on peripheral angiography, limb ischaemia, obstructive jaundice, and paediatric urinary tract infections.
Beyond medicine, Dr. Amerasinghe was a woman of extraordinary literary talent. After retirement, she turned to writing, publishing several novels and three volumes of poetry. Her first novel The Search was longlisted for the Dublin IMPAC Award, while Tangled Threads and her poetry collection Kaleidoscope were shortlisted for the Gratiaen Award. She contributed regularly to journals and newspapers, reviewing books and enriching Sri Lanka’s English literary landscape. She was an active member of the English Writers’ Cooperative of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies.
She has won the State Literary Award for Footprints (2021) and Tapestry of Verse (2019) and in 2025 she was awarded the “Sahithyarathna” for her outstanding contribution for the advancement of English literature.
Even in her later years, she remained deeply connected to her colleagues and students, often reaching out with warmth and concern. Her life embodied dedication, compassion and creativity – a rare blend of medical excellence and literary artistry.
A trailblazer, mentor and friend, her legacy endures – in the standards we uphold, the compassion we show, and the stories we tell.
May your soul rest in peace, dear Madam, knowing that your light will continue to guide us.
- Dr. Badra Hewavithana,
Dr. Kishani Pathirana and Dr. Indra Lekamge
(Retired Consultant Radiologists)
The values he espoused and the wisdom he shared will be his legacy
Asoka Sriwickrama Abeyewardene
Asoka Sriwickrama Abeywardene qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1968, at a time when the profession was highly selective and recognised for its rigorous standards. Admission to the profession during that era was reserved for individuals who combined intellectual ability, professional discipline, personal integrity, and refined communication skills. Asoka exemplified these qualities in abundance, possessing a strong intellect, sound strategic judgement and the ability to provide balanced and thoughtful counsel.
Over the course of his distinguished professional career, Asoka had the rare privilege of serving with two leading international chartered accountancy firms, Ernst & Young and KPMG, as well as the renowned indigenous firm Alles Martin & Co., which was widely respected within the profession during its years of prominence. His association with these institutions provided him with a broad spectrum of professional experience and contributed significantly to the development of his reputation as a respected practitioner in Audit and Assurance, as well as Advisory Services.
Following his retirement from professional practice, Asoka continued to contribute his expertise to the corporate sector by serving on the Boards of several leading listed public companies, including Ceylon Hospitals PLC. He served on the Board of Ceylon Hospitals PLC from November 2005 to November 2023, a period of 18 years, during which he served as an Independent Non-Executive Director. It was a privilege for the Board to benefit from Mr. Abeyewardene’s counsel during this period. His insight and experience provided invaluable guidance in strengthening governance structures, compliance frameworks, and financial reporting processes, at a time when many such governance practices were being adopted well in advance of formal regulatory requirements.
Beyond his professional and corporate commitments, Asoka was also a keen sportsman who maintained an active interest in tennis, continuing to play well into his retirement years. He was widely admired for his gentle, soft-spoken manner, calm composure, and gracious demeanour. These personal qualities, together with his deep sense of integrity and principled approach to business and professional life, earned him the respect and affection of professional colleagues and business associates alike.
Asoka was devoted to his family. He was married to Dr. Marlene Abeyewardene, a distinguished Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, who retired from active medical practice more than a decade ago upon the arrival of their grandchildren. The couple celebrated their golden jubilee a few years ago, marking 50 years of marriage and companionship. They were blessed with their only son, Dr. Ashan Abeyewardene, who today serves as a renowned Orthopaedic Consultant. Ashan and his wife, Shamika, are the proud parents of three children. Asoka and Marlene derived immense joy and happiness in spending time with their grandchildren and watching them grow. Asoka particularly cherished these moments and took great delight in being closely involved in their young lives.
The values he espoused and the wisdom he shared will remain an enduring part of the legacy of Ceylon Hospitals PLC and Durdans Medical and Surgical Hospitals (Pvt) Ltd, and the institutions with which he was associated. His contribution to the profession, to corporate governance, and to the organisations he served will be remembered with deep appreciation and respect.
-Ajith E. Tudawe and Asite D. B. Talwatte
The dimunitive giant on whose shoulders we stood
MARCI JANSZ
My mother, Marci Jansz, managed the operations of St. Michael’s Nursing Home, together with her two brothers, Uncle Cletus and Uncle Placi. I still remember that one afternoon when a tall lady walked into their shared office space. Something in the way she asked who was in charge worried me. I braced myself for a complaint, but Mama was unfazed as this lady launched into what she had to say. “People most likely come to you only when they want to lodge a complaint,” she said. “So I’m here to thank you instead; what we experienced here has been nothing short of wonderful.”
I was overjoyed and turned to Ma, expecting her to be equally thrilled. Her only response was a quiet, graceful acceptance of the appreciation. That was just who Mama was – gracious. And she carried this same grace through the highs and lows of her life.
Mama was our hero and the axis around which our world revolved. When she passed away, I imagined that our grief would be carried alone, by Dada, Akki and myself. I was wrong. She was a mentor, friend and counsellor to almost everyone she knew and her death cut deep for many, leaving behind a void that is almost impossible to fill.
Her greatest legacy was one of joyful giving. Mama followed in her own Mamma’s footsteps by getting involved in the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Theresa’s Church, throwing herself wholeheartedly into their mission to help the poor. She spent many happy hours canvassing for funding and organizing events. She continued her mother’s tradition of attracting a number of underprivileged people, who turned up at our doorstep each month for some support. These numbers swelled on Christmas Day when people would start arriving from the early morning hours. They were always welcomed with treats and refreshments.
Family meant everything to her. After the loss of her own beloved mother, Mama poured her love into her siblings, cultivating strong relationships with all of them, from her eldest sister and brother, right down to the youngest, including her ‘baby’ brother. This love extended beyond her nuclear family to include cousins, uncles and aunts, many of whom she was fortunate to have met with a month before she passed away. Dada’s family, spanning the Jansz and Pinder clan, was treated like her own, where she quietly took on the role of an immediate family member, lavishing them with her love, care and time.
Generosity and compassion are inherent characteristics of the Gomez family; traits that she shared with Dada. When friends faced the loss of a loved one, Mama and Dada would both be there, laden with bottles of iced coffee, offering comfort through practical support and incredible love. But when the sympathy slowed, it was Mama who stayed. She continued to hold the hand of the grieving, wiping away their tears and listening to their pain.
Our home was open to anyone, and our pantry often resembled a social club, where a friend’s quick drop-in would turn into a protracted dinner over a simple meal. It was in the kitchen that magic happened. Mama was renowned for her Tamil dishes — mulligatawny, green chillie chicken curry, paal kanji and rasam — and would go out of her way to make someone their favourite dish. These culinary skills were not without mishap. How we laughed when she mistakenly dumped four cups of sugar into a dessert that required four tablespoons instead. Our guests bravely plowed through it, resulting in a much-loved story we have retold many times.
If grace was her strong point, faith was her anchor. When cancer arrived unexpectedly, she struggled to wrap her head around it. Not one to be defeated, she clung on to her faith, immersing herself deeper in prayer. When she was told that she wouldn’t need chemotherapy, it was like a light switch had been flipped on inside of her. Mama grabbed life by the hands, determined to thank God for an answered prayer by living the best life she could.
A prominent feature in Mama’s life was a group of ladies, fondly referred to as ‘The Honeybees’. This band of school friends were a source of joy to Ma and we would often find her on her phone, chuckling quietly to herself while reading the jokes shared on The Honeybees WhatsApp group. She was the Head Prefect at St. Bridget’s Convent and a whiz at Maths and Science, but it was her street smarts that we admired the most. Incredibly astute, she remained my go-to person for advice for everything, ranging from the mundane to life-altering decisions.
Fiercely independent, Mama renewed her driving licence at 77 years old. She was one of the first mothers of my group of friends to start using online banking and WhatsApp, teaching herself how to navigate technology, with only a few minor fumbles along the way.
Mama was one of the strongest, kindest, most gentle people I’ve ever known. She carried an aura of calmness, possessing the ability to effortlessly shift the energy in rooms she walked into. She was almost always with a smile, and on quiet days I can still hear her infectious laugh and feel her quiet presence.
She was, and continues to be, the giant on whose shoulders we stand.
-Tanya Jansz
Family meant everything to him
Charles Montague de Silva
Charles Montague (Monty) de Silva was born to Colonel Charles Reginald de Silva and Gertrude May de Silva in Wadduwa, and spent most of his life in Nawala. He spent many years working in Oman for the Ministry of Defence.He was a devoted husband to his beloved wife Eileen, a loving father to his five children, and a doting grandfather to his 12 grandchildren. Family was important to Monty; he always cared about the wellbeing of his three brothers and three sisters.
As a teenager and adult, he excelled in sports. He was an outstanding cricketer – a left-handed batsman, and a champion badminton player. These talents live on in his children and grandchildren.
Monty was intelligent, and creative. When his grandchildren were mere five or six-year-olds, he started a family nativity play. This annual production was written and produced by him and his production team consisted of his wife, children, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and a faithful domestic worker. Every Christmas, friends, neighbours and relatives gathered to enjoy the event held outdoors at his premises. He even wrote a book about it!
Charles Montague, beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all, left this earth on Sunday, March 15.
Farewell Charles Montague (MON-tuh-gyoo), until
we meet again…
Arlene de Silva
After a rich life abroad she returned to the home of her birth and baptism
Yvonne Jeanne Malkanthi Scott (née Wirekoon)
Yvonne Wirekoon died peacefully on March 2 at her home in Kandy at the age of 95; her husband, Professor Tim Scott and three of her children Paloma, Roman and Anil beside her.
The youngest daughter of William Oswald Wirekoon and Florence Maude Seneviratne, Yvonne attended Newstead Girls College Negombo and St. Paul’s Milagiriya, both of which she loved. They provided her with an unusually liberal and progressive education for that time, one that widened her outlook and enabled her to create a future for herself.
In 1956 in her mid-twenties, following her elder sister Belle Wirekoon, the Ceylon table tennis player, she set out for London to ‘see the wider world’ and its possibilities. She was excited by what she found and travelled all over Britain and the Continent, even going to Soviet Russia’s Youth Festival.
In 1957 she met and married the young British sculptor, Tim Scott, then at the outset of his career. Yvonne’s support was invaluable to his success in becoming a leading sculptor and her life from then on included participation at events in the international art world in America, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Germany, Italy and of course Britain, all of which she relished as an integral part of her life.
Simultaneously, Yvonne had her own career and brought up five children, creating family homes in London, Yorkshire and later, Kandy. In the 1980s Yvonne left the art world for the legal profession where she worked for a Queen’s Counsel in Middle Temple, London. Upon retirement she divided her time between homes in London, Yorkshire and Kandy, finally settling in the house her husband built for her in Anniewatte.
After a rich and varied life abroad, her final days were spent quietly with her family, dying close to where she was born and to St. Paul’s Church in which she was baptised in 1931.
Paloma Scott
She touched many with her kindness and sincerity
JANAKI TISSERA
It is with profound sorrow that I pen these few words in memory of Mrs. Janaki Tissera – Aunty Janaki as she was lovingly known, who passed away last week. She was my brother’s mother-in-law, a kind-hearted, soft-spoken yet fun-loving soul.
Aunty Janaki was a warm and gentle person who touched everyone who had the privilege of her association. Her chirpy, gentle voice was endearing and unforgettable, and the sweet way she called us all ‘putha’ still echoes in my ears. She was like a dear friend to her daughter Dilanki, a loving and caring mother and second mother to my brother. She shared a deep and affectionate bond with her sister Ramani, one that was truly special. She was also a devoted and loving wife to her beloved husband, Uncle Sena.
‘Sabbe Sankara anichcha, yada pranyaya passati’ – as our Teacher, the Buddha, reminded us, all conditioned things are impermanent, and one must see this with wisdom. Though we understand this truth, the pain of parting from someone so dear is never easy for us.
She will be deeply missed and is mourned by her loving husband Uncle Sena, her sister Aunty Ramani and brother-in-law Uncle Lucky, her daughter Dilanki and son-in-law Lakshitha, and her nephew Sachith, and all of us whom she was so close to.
Though she is no longer with us, the kindness she shared and the love she gave will remain in our hearts forever.
May she attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana in the foreseeable future in her journey through samsara.
-Dr. Lakwin Samaranayake
You will be missed Malli, as we remember you on your birthday
DR JAYANTHA BANDARA ILANGARATNE
March 25 would be your 69th birthday. Wishing you “Happy Birthday Malli” but I’m sad there won’t be a “Thank you very much Akka “answer from you as usual.
Jayantha was the beloved youngest son of P. B. Ilangaratne and Mrs. Chandra Ilangaratne and loving younger brother
of Lalith and Yamuna. He was born in Kurunegala and lived in Kandy,
completing his primary education
at St. Sylvester’s College.
He moved to Ananda College in Colombo, excelling in his studies and entering the Colombo Medical Faculty. He passed out as a doctor and first served at the Matara General Hospital later migrating to the United Kingdom.
Popularly known as “Dr Jay” he served in many hospitals in the UK and finally at the Royal Hull Hospital in Yorkshire.
Jayantha was a loving and caring husband to his wife and devoted Dad to his three children. His untimely demise after a brief illness last year was unbearable to his wife Panthip and children Charmaine, Neshan and Chevan and his relatives and friends.
Jayantha was a person of high integrity who acted according to his strong moral and ethical principles and values. His honesty and willingness to do what was right and his generosity made him a noble character.
Malli cared for his parents in their old age and his only sister unconditionally whenever necessary. He never forgot to visit his motherland almost every year with gifts for relatives and friends and enjoyed the visits.
His demise is a great loss to his loved ones and Dhamma is our only solace.
May you finally attain Nirvana with merits radiated by your loved ones.
Akka – Yamuna Ilangaratne
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