e.mail from Tissa Kappagoda

Dear Nana, Daya and Philip,

I was struck by Nana's idea because if my experience with various universities in different parts of the world. In the the U.S. there is a rich tradition of Alumni Associations providing enormous financial assistance to their Alma Maters. For instance both Harvard and Stanford give a full remission of fees to undergraduates who are unable to attend the school despite having good grades.

In Sri Lanka, the government charged us nothing for providing what I still consider was an excellent education. By the same token, those things given free usually tend to be regarded as having no value as well. It would be wonderful if we, in some small way, could change this culture among the younger generation who not only expect a free education but a guarantee of a job as well. The politicians perpetuate this culture by promising jobs.

I wonder whether we could consider setting up an Alumni Fund for the Faculty of Medicine in Colombo with specific aims and an appropriate set of rules to further the cause of medical education in Sri Lanka. If we succeed in doing so, other faculties may follow suit. It may go some way towards making the faculties independent of the Government which seems to control every single aspect of life in these institutions.

All the best,

Tissa

e.mail from 'Kalu Nana'

Dear Daya

Thanks for your e mail and the sensible thoughts.

My personal thoughts are that the time and the duration of the Get together is relatively short for us to engage in any sort of Shramadana type of good deed.

The minimum agenda would be most welcome in the circumstances.

Each of us may have different expectations but I feel the most valued thing is to meet and greet the good old mates( whilst we are still physically and mentally alert with most of our senses are in tact) who we had not met for quite some time. Some may want to have a big booze, others may want to gossip any juicy news and others may just want to relax.

Some of us are already in the habit of keeping in touch with few of our friends in a variety of ways. Many would be having many other commitments during the time of the Re Union- meeting their own friends and relatives, visiting places, engaging in cultural and social affairs etc.

You can float your idea for all the batch mates to enable them to respond.

If a significant number agrees with your good thoughts, that would be a start.

I may suggest something like helping the Medical Faculty if we can identify one the dire needs/deficiencies as a priority. If the batch mates are agreeable we may be able make a financial contribution (collectively) towards such a worthy cause. We do not have to do this on the 1st of July but we could have a reasonable target date for raising the funds if the batchmates agree.

Best wishes

Nana

Suggestion from Daya Jayasinghe

Do you think we should do something to remember and set a precedent ?Last time when we were at Hunnasgiriya we took part in a tree planting ceremony near the hotel, and i just saw a TVprogram where a group of foreigners enjoyed renovating a run down school in Nepal. Hard labour for 3 days but lots of joyful tears at the end.The Australian Test team visited secretly their baggage keepers house at Galpata and helped repair his house and played acricket match with locals near Kaluganga.Another thought.

Daya Jayasinghe.

V Sri Kantha (Joe Kantha), Wellawathe beach.

Joe Kantha was a person ever ready with a joke. He is still the same. I took this picture at Wellawathe beach while he was relaxing there with his wife who is a doctor now retired from the Health Department.

Late Dr Wimalaratne

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Reply

Lakshman Karalliedde to me, philavi, taboebia

show details 12:11 PM (1 hour ago)

Dear Philip, A few weeks back, whilst visiting the HDU at GH Kandy,
there was a solitary patient being ventilated and receiving other
forms of life support.I paused for a moment , for somehow the face of
the patient brought back a memory, which was hazy, vague etc at that
moment. Later , when I asked who the patient was , the Consultant
Anaesthetist said , He may have been your batch mate-He was Dr
Wimalaratne. It 'stunned' me for a few minutes-here I am seeing him
for the first time after medical college-45 years, later-terminally
ill. I did not know him well at med school and our paths did not cross
since 1965. What I realized is that , we often do not have
opportunities to say even 'hello' to a batch mate/school mate until it
is too late. Reality, for I then realized that we have often failed to
say even 'thank you' to those who have helped us in diverse ways
through our lives until it is too late. The intent is not to flatter
you Philip, by your voluntary persistent efforts, you have brough
several of us who have been geographically and other ways apart for
decades together through your work. At least it has reduced the guilt
many of us may be left with. Karals

Appreciation - Dr.KDP Wimalaratne.

Dr.KDP Wimalaratne, was an accomplished student in the Medical Faculty in the early half of 1960. He did his post-graduate appointments with Prof.Rajasuriya and was well liked by the latter. After completing his MRCP he ended up as the Consultant Physician, Kurunegala. He decided to retire from the Department of Health and continued to be the Consultant Physician in the Private sector at Kurunegala, where he was much in demand. We in the batch, miss him. Our deepest condolences go out to his family.

Minutes of the meeting of Med Batch 1960 50^th Anniversary Reunion

Held on 14^th jan 2010. At the residence of Dr M.P.Wedisinghe Kandy

Present Dr Sarath Kapuwatte Chair

Dr R.L.Jayakuru

Dr K.E.J.de Silva

Dr M.P.Wedisinghe

Dr Piyaseeli Wedisinghe

Minutes of the previous meeting was read and adopted.

The Booking in procedure at the Hotel has been further simplified , the name , no of rooms and the dates of stay to be sent to M/S indu Chandrawansa at e mail address. htlres@keells.com

Dr Kapuwatte requested a list local batch mates participating in the event to be prepared and forwarded to Dr KEJ de Silva. Dr M.P.Wedisinghe to attend to this.

Those participating from Jaffna will be prepared by Dr Sivarajah.

Those participating from Kandy and Colombo are already available.

Regarding sponsors, Dr Jayakuru has contacted about 10 Drug firms . Some have promised to contribute. Exact amount is not known.

Regarding the Souvenir ,Dr Buddadasa who attended the meeting in Colombo last time has promised to find sponsors for advertisements. Dr Veerasingam will attend to the printing of the Souvenir .

Regarding a Banner , Dr jayalath to attend. Words in the banner would be Medical Batch 1960 5oth Anniversary Reunion.

All agreed to have a Directory of the Batchmates giving their present position , and email addresses.

Telepix Kandy was chosen as the official Photographer. The cost of the photographs to be borne individually.

Regarding Music etc , it was decided to get services of a DJ as against having a Band as it was cheaper. Dr Durumila to make inquiries.

Some problems were encountered in finding time for both a Concert and a Paduru Party. This needs sorting out.