email from Nana

Dear Philip

Another Reunion- when, where and why ?

1960 medical Batch had several Reunions over the years. The last 2 Events held at Habarana were very successful and had very similar format- Most likely due to

a. the same Organising committee who put in so much of effort, energy and time

b. the choice of a superb location with excellent service and facilities.

c. The keenness and the enthusiasm of the participants spread across the various continents & Sri Lanka.

Thanks to the facility of an interactive and lively internet forum maintained by Philip Veerasingham at no extra cost to others, members have the opportunity to watch all the updates,express and share their feelings and personal opinions. No statistical details are available as to how many of the batch mates read the blog but my impression is that many members do seem to check the blog contents (silent observers) but only a few will make any comments. (mostly bouquets and hardly any brickbats so far).

The fact that app. 90 of our batch mates attended each of the last 2 Reunions ( totalling app. 160 with the spouses) is ample testimony to the enormous efforts taken by the Organising committee combined with the keenness and the enthusiasm of those batch mates who were able to attend- to meet & greet and show their camaraderie and fellowship.

Do we have the energy, ability and the enthusiasm to carry on with similar Events in the future? Is it viable and practical and appealing to the majority?

Just by chance and with no specific motives, several of us met at Makuls residence in Chichester very recently, where we had a wonderful time enjoying the superb company and the hospitality of the host family. During the chatter, reminiscences of the good old medical college & hostel days and the varied gossip, the Batch Get Together was also discussed.

I would like to share our collective thoughts on the ‘Batch Get together’ on behalf of the Group ( I must confess that this was not deliberately planned, randomised, not a double blind cross over sample by any means and may not be statistically significant):

1.It would be really nice if another ReUnion is planned preferably in 3 years time in Sri Lanka.

2. The excellent expertise of the Organising Committee should continue

3. Even though Habarana is a superb location and a wonderful venue, we feel the need for a change of location/venue preferably to a location within 30 miles from Colombo.

4. The basic format should be simple and not elaborate so that the Organising committee will not have to spend so much of time and energy.

5. If any financial difficulties, we should be able to offer a reasonable financial contribution purely on a voluntary basis to tide over the initial difficulties.

(Following were present: Keerthi Makulolluwa, M.G.S .Karunanayaka, Pearl & Sidney Hettiarachchi, Milroy De Silva,Lakshman Karalliadde, Nihal Gunaratna, C.S.Nanayakkara ( and their spouses)

Best wishes & food for thought.

Nana