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