Obituary

Nice Article in today’s Sunday Island about Prof OER Abhayaratne – Ranjith Almeida

Shared by Narme

I should have guessed Narme, from your imposing stature, kind heart, unassuming personalty and the husky voice that you are related to our much loved professor. 
I too have a personal story to add. Those good old days when medicos had to not  only impress the examiners at the entrance exam but to go through the final scrutiny of the interview.
For me being a ගමේ කොල්ලා  coming to Colombo and to be dressed in a three piece suite (for the first time) was bad enough but to face the giants both physically and intellectually was a true nightmare. To my luck, bless his soul your maternal uncle Then the Dean if the faculty chaired the board. 
When the  erudite lot trying to impress each other by posing harder question the sweet gentleman addressed me as ‘now young man why you want to do medicine. As innocent as can be with beads of sweat dribbling from forehead when I looked at the face of the questioner that fatherly reassuring calmness took all my fears away and proudly said I want to be a doctor to save patients!!!
As you could imagine except your uncle, everyone was mused and was trying to drill me when he interevened and asked if I have pen friends!
Rest is history but unfortunately due to his benevolent heart you all are still  suffering having forced to put up with me.
Kind regards,
Ariya

Now you know