Sinking of the 'Titanic' - 'Nava gillath ban chune'

The 'Titanic' was proclaimed as 'unsinkable' and was the pride of British ship-building when it was launched, in the beginning of the 20th Century. On its first trans-Atlantic voyage it struck an iceberg and sank. When it was going down with passengers falling overboard, the ships band is supposed to have assembled and were playing the popular Christian Hymn, often sung at funerals, bearing the following words :-

"Though like a wanderer, the sun goes down,

Darkness lies over me, My rest a stone,

Through all my life I'll be,

Nearer my God to thee, nearer to Thee".

This was headline news throughout the world. This was the origin of the Sinhala idiom - "Nava gillath, ban chune" - "Even if the ship is sinking the band plays the tune"

email from Dawood

Dear Phillip,
There's no greater honour than to be acknowledged and valued by your own peers in your own land. I am not talking about Deshamanya's and Deshabandu's either. Your presentation was the distilled wisdom of ages. Something that our generation inherited from our elders and teachers. Yet not many of us who are still around today could have offered, such lofty ideals and values,with honesty and sincerity , to a starry eyed bunch of freshers. These could only have been the utterances of one who has lived such a life of courageous integrity with sincere dedication to one's motherland, people and vocation.Your words are most appropriate, especially, at a timewhen the winds of hope are blowing through our land. I believe that you would have touched the young hearts and minds that heard you and many of the older ones too.!! The presentation was really the essence of a life well lived as related in your books. Great Inspirational stuff!! I hope many more invitations would come your way providing further opportunities to present your example and spread your message!! I close, with deep respect and admiration for achievements honestly gathered !
Dawood

emails re lecture

Email from Nalini & Daya – 13/8/2010
Dear Phillip,
CONGRATS! Great lecture - very philosophical & inspiring!Who was in the audience? - Faculty & new entrants? Maybe you should give it to the final years too.D&N
Email from Imelda – 13/8/2010
Dear Philip, Congratulations . No doubt, I am sure our batchmates will be very proud to know that you were invited to address the incoming batch. It is an honour you really deserve and could not have come at a better time than 2010 the 50th year of our entry to med school. Regards Imelda
Email from Sujaee Tinto – 13/8/2010
Dear Philip,Brilliant. The call of duty is what the younger generation need 'to know about'. I was also impressed with someone called Piyusha who spoke to Nalini about giving back(to the Motherland). It is great to see so much 'awakening' among the youngsters. This country is bound to grow in strength and unity with folk like you and Nalini leading the way. I am SOOO happy.Love and many blessings Sujaee

emails re 'the lecture'

Email from Nana - 13/8/2010
Dear Philip
We are very pleased indeed with the honour they bestowed on you by inviting you to to deliver the Commencement Lecture.
The academics seem to have enjoyed very much but it is most likely that the medical students would have been even more impressed and fortunate to have someone with such high esteem and humility giving them the guidance they really can emulate.
We are very proud indeed to share this honour as batch mates.
Best wishes
Nana

Email from Karu – 13/8/2010
My dear Philip,
Congratulations on delivering this year’s commencement lecture. As a batchmate and a close friend I feel proud that you were selected for this.I have no doubt knowing you as well as I do [your dedication to hard work and meticulous nature] and reading all those books etc that you would have delivered a fantastic speech.
I wish I could have been there to listen to it in person, I am less fortunate from that point of view, however I feel that who were there were more than fortunate to have listened to a memorable lecture.I certainly hope it would enable them to train themselves to become good doctors and above all good citizens of Sri lanka.
Congratulations once again,
Karu.

Email from Milroy – 12/8/2010
Dear Phillip,
I was very impressed with your presentation and felt privileged to have known you and having been a batch mate. I forwarded the presentation to my two children
congratulations
Kind regards
milroy

Dear Milroy,
Thanks for the comments re the lecture. It was really the formative years in the Faculty of Medicine in our times, which shaped our outlooks later. The interaction with my batch-mates went a long way towards shaping these attitudes.
Thank you once again.
Philip

Email from Daya Jayasinghe 13/8/2010
Dear Phil,
Yout lecture is fascinating.Our batch is honoured by what you spoke.I wish we had a similar introduction at our admission.Its what you do that matters. In 1956 melbourne olympics in a long distance race an Aussie athlete witnessed a close rival fall. He stopped helped him and continued the run and won it. Later he was appointed Governer of Vivctoria.
Best wishes,
Daya J.

Hello Daya,
Thanks for your comments re the lecture.
It was the caramaderie and interaction with our ‘Batch of 1960’, that shaped our out looks in life. I am indeed indebted to the batch for this.
Philip

emails from Karals and Tissa re 'the lecture'.

email from Karals
7th August 2010
To both,
I am beginning to see dreams in day light- where credit is given when it is due and some professionals at least - most importantly teachers are realizing that there is more to impart to students than the path of the sciatic nerve. We are very proud of you and I consider it one of the most philosophically pragmatic presentations I have read. Philosophising is all what they do sipping whiskies-you have blended philosophy and the teaching of the MASTERS to the practice of medicine, learning etc. I am delighted that Tissa's painting would remain a symbol ad infinitum - of dedication and loyalty to an institution that nutured us- Well done to both, proud to be with you on many a venture.
Karals

Email from Tissa
8th August 2010
Dear Philip,
> I had the opportunity to view your entire presentation only today.
> It brought together all your philosophical musing that you tried
> to convey in the two books and it would have been a great talk for
> the students to hear upon graduation. Careers are measured in
> terms of what you have done for others in contrast to wealth
> acquired. Congratulations!
> I wish you had mentioned that you were planning to use the picture
> when I met you at the reunion. I would have been more than happy
> to give you the original for the purpose. If the Dean agrees I
> suggest you exchange the original for the copy you gave him - I
> can mail it to you by Fedex. I could also send you a CD
> containing the picture and I am happy for them to use it for
> whatever promotional venture they wish.
> All the best,
> Tissa

Commencement lecture for the Batch of 2010 - Faculty of Medicine, Colombo - 6th August 2010 by Philip G Veerasingam.

I was requested by the Faculty of Medicine Teachers Association, Colombo, to give 'The Commencement lecture' for the 2010 Batch entrants, to the Medical Faculty. This was 50 years after our batch of 1960, entered the same Medical Faculty. It was a 'Cap and Gown' affair, with the associated ceremonial parade. I chose as my topic 'The call of duty' and gave a presentation with Power-point support. It was commented on by the academic staff, as a 'fantastic presentation'. I am including a few photographs of the event.

Philip

email from Piyusha Atapattu to Nalini

Dear Madam,
How are you? I hope your mother is better now. Are you back in Australia?
Your donation of Rs 50,000.00 has been added to the Medical Stduents Finacial Asisstance Scheme 'pool' and will be used for student asisistance with immediate effect.I have annexed herewith an official acknowledgment letter and a scanned picture of the receipt from the University. If you let me know your address I can post the receipt to you (I will keep it filed till then.)The PH meter is in use and the toilet repair was completed today! We have not yet used the spirometer though, as accurate values cannot be obtained without calibration, and we are trying to raise funds from our own batchmates to purchase the calibration syringe. However we can use it for student ptacticals. Ruwanmalis's BNFs have arrived and some have already been donated. Dr Preena's donation of a stethescope was reqested by a first year student from Thanamalwila, the first student to enter the faculty from his school. I have e mailed Dr Preena, and I hope he received the e mail. Two used books have been taken by two students in the new batch. I will put up a notice for students regarding the availability of these books and the BNFs. No one as yet asked for Dr Preena's knee hammer set, though a notcie was placed a few weeks before.
Thank you so much madam -your batch I think has pioneered a large sacle donor activity. The faculty is now very interested in forming the alumni foundation and inviting further donors!
Dr Veerasingam was here last week, and delivered the commencement lecture on 'Call of duty', which was wonderful and thought provoking, in this day of trying to acquire more and more. Today he has sent a little book of essays of your batchmates, compiled by Dr Kappagoda and its so lovely.
Thank you again madam, for coming back to the faculty and showing us that giving back is important. There is a subtle change in the faculty, with more people talking about duty and paying back and all that since your visit! I hope a lot of good will come of it. best regards
Piyusha

email from Buddy

Dear batchmates,
It is with great sadness that I inform you that my dear friend and our batchmate Sadiq's sister has just passed away.
Buddy

email from Philip

I have released the second book authored by me and edited by Dr.Tissa Kappagoda. It is titled ‘The cry of the devil-bird’ and describes the experiences of my medical life in Ceylon/Sri Lanka. It has been highly acclaimed by various people eg.
By Dr.Mark Amerasinghe, MCh, FRCS, former Orthopaedic Surgeon, Kandy.
“Philip
We both have finished your book. Premini liked it. I think it is first class - a Philosophical Autobiography -much for many to learn from. You should find a good, discerning reviewer. You have succeeded in weaving so many strands of varied colours around your career as a surgeon without losing the central thread, which is one man's journey through the most important part of a colourful life, a journey which touched many places and divers peoples. It is tight and compelling reading even for the non-medical person, and a must I think for every young doctor present and future. And the older ones should also read it, enjoy it and learn from it”.
It will cost Rs.900/- for postage inside Sri Lanka, US Dollars 15/- or Sterling Pounds 12/- with postage and packing to the USA/UK/Australia. You could send an equivalent amount in local currency.
If you send me your postal address, I will post you a copy.
Another book – ‘Friends, dreams and memories’ – a collection of essays on various topics, by members of the Batch of 1960 Entrants, to the Medical Faculty, Colombo, is also available. It was edited by Tissa Kappagoda. It will cost US Dollars 5/- p&p.
Wishing you all the best,
Philip G Veerasingam,
28, Mansuriya Lane,
Honiton Place,
Avissawella,
Sri Lanka..

email from Bernie

Dr De Silva[Bernie]Cincinnati, USA
Suggestion -
Let the batch or people related to our batch,there were many in batches before and after,who were closely related to or connected with our batch from the university and those who skipped the university, and many others. Any information, that is not considered personal or irrelevant orscreened by the individual, should be restricted, to respect privacy. Many would like to contact the old friends,who contributed to our general knowledgeand growth during these very difficult times, especially re further education,where and those hospitals, institutions could be contacted,and relevant information gathered, and disseminated.
I remember being among the first to leave the country,without waiting the average of 6 yrs for the scholarships,or trying to break the lines with other types of influence,many used to ask how it could be done, how to seek jobs, learningfrom those from others, including family,that preceded us,to UK[we knew next to nothing of Europe, partly due to licensingdifficulties and poor understanding of their languages]About USA we knew much, in fact keeping in touch with them from the 3rd MBBS time or evenbefore. How many did finally emigrate,when pressured by lack of proper jobs, or waiting in line for poor placement, and almost always at the discretion, of non medical, politically inspired and controlled jobs, promotions, transfers etc. Some of these added to our resolve to beat the corruption within the system. One batch, that immediately followed us,were denied appointments,[remember so many frustration of the many that I met from 1966 onwards]

email from Nana.

csn48@aol.com to me show details 21:10 (1 day ago)
1.Lovely to note that you also have the wonderful experience working in Barnsley. We can form a small association of Barnsley Hospital. Like Philip & Piyaseeli, I also worked in Barnsley as a paediatric registrar from 1977-1980. At the time we had 2 paediatric consultants whose management appeared diametrically opposite ( one will insist on LP on every infant who had a febrile convulsion whilst the other will only do a LP if < 9 months etc) As the only shared registrar I had to decide the mangement strategies for children depending on who was on call giving the conflicting advice to the parents.
2. Majority of GPS were pretty useless and referred almost all the trivia especially during the nights and week ends.
3. Most of the families were relatively poor due to pit closures but were very respectful of the doctors. Most of them had not even travelled to Sheffield (only 16 odd miles away & a big city) in their life time.
4. The monthly rentals for a 3 bed roomed house then was £28.00. When this was raised to 30.00 the resident doctors protested ( I was the junior doctors president at the time) and we got a reduction of £1.00 as a result.
5. Most of the consultants were of Indian origin and the clinical tutor was Dr Ghosh. The weekly lunch hour meetings were sponsored by various drug firms and majority of the times, buffet meal was Asian type.
I have read Philip's book < I left SL ( I had very little else to do I guess) and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. Not everyone has the time and the inclination & perhaps the talent ( what a good excuse) like Philip.
Best wishes
Nana
sena nanayakkara

email from Philip - reply to Piyaseeli.

Hello Piyaseeli,
I am glad to hear that you found the book 'The Cry of the Devil Bird' interesting.Your suggestion re the incidents in the batchmates if sent to me could be published on the batch web if short and sent to the 1960 batch email address namely1960batch@gmail.com. Souvenir 2 refers to 'Friends, dreams and memories' I presume.
Philip

email from Piyaseeli

Hello Philip,
I have finished reading about 2/3rds of your book. I found it very interesting to read. It made me wonder why we dont put into writing some of our (all our batch mates)experiences, We ofcourse have worked in the wilderness in Srilanka for a good length of time.
I was wondering whether it would be a good idea for us to circulate interesting, hilarious expieriences we have faced during our medical career, just an odd one at a time. It will keep us in touch with everyone.
I too worked in Barnsley , GH in 1992 as a locum consultant in GU medicine & worked for 3 days at Sheffield ,Royal Hallamshire hospital, & 2 days in Barnsley.I was stationed in Barnsley.& travelled by train in the morning & got a lift back from a worker in the hospital vesper.I was reminded of the latter when reading your book. One thing that struck me was the poverty. Almost all the women who were employed as nurses had husbands who were laid off work.I will certainly read your book to a finish. One other thing , Tissa speaks of a souvenir 2 . Is it the same as the book Friends, memories...or a different one?
Piyaseeli