Our Batch-mate Chandralatha Gunaratne has expired.
May she rest in peace.
Shared by Ranjith A and Anoja F
Editorial Note: I will post more information when available
Sam
Shared by Deepthie
Sad News
Category: Celebration of Life
Sad News
I am sad to inform you that our dear batch mate and Bloemite Kulothungam Ilango, departed this world a few days ago.
He trained as an oncologist, worked for some insurance company and then as a GP. I am told he had a stroke.
Dharma
Update by Dharma 1/4/20
Click Below
https://www.farmingtonfuneral.com/notices/Ramanathan-Illango
Sad news update
Dear all
It is with great sadness that I write this to inform the passing away of our dear friend Geetha’s husband. Unfortunately, this only transpired during a random conversation of Wimal with her. He had passed away in February but we did not know about it till yesterday.
Dear Geetha
Ranjit and I offer our sincere condolences to you on this sad occasion. At least his sufferings are over and he is in a better place.
Praxy and Ranjit
Passing of a Wonderful Batch Mate – Chandra Rodrigo
Dear Ariya , Biga and Swarna,
I just had an email from Praxy (you may already have heard) that Chandra had passed away last night. His wife Rohini will be in touch with Praxy about the funeral arrangements.
I am copying this to Sam in case the news has not reached him yet.
CJ
Dr Chandra Rodrigo expired, cremation will take place on 25th December 2018 at 5.00 pm Nawala Cemetery. Remains at No. 31, Rodrigo Mawatha, Nawala.
Rohini & Asitha
+ 94 11 2875262
Editorial Note:
Chandra Rodrigo,
FRCA, FFARCSI, FHKCA, FHKAM
Chandra was the Associate Professor in Anesthesiology, University of Hong Kong, Examiner, Final Fellowship. He won BS Perera Gold Medal, College of Anesthesia, SriLanka and Horace Wells Award from International Federation of Anesth. Societies. After retirement, was the President, Philatelic Society of SriLanka and won Gold Medal at the International Stamp Exhibition in SriLanka. He was diagnosed with MND in 2006, and has been on a ventilator care at home since 2011. He leaves behind , his loving wife Rohini, son Asitha, daughter- in- law Helen and, grand daughter Jaqueline.
Passing of a dear friend
Dhamsawatie Madapatha- A Celebration of Life .
It is much sadness that I write this for Dhamsa, my dear friend, and a
friend for all of Class of 64 .
My deepest Sympathies to Wilmot . her very loving husband and their sons ,
who cared for her ever so lovingly during her illness with Parkinsons .
She was my good friend, my neighbor on the 3rd floor of the ‘ Hopper House
‘– I was in room 4, and she was in # 5, that she shared with Stella .
Her gentle quiet presence , her eternal sweet smiling face, was a soothing
balm to my restless soul… needless to say to any of you who know me !
Trust her to give me the right advice at the right time , and ‘ say it as
is ‘ , when ever I was in ‘tight spot ‘ so to speak .
Common Sense – was her Middle Name .
Even though we were training in ‘ western medicine, ‘ I still relied on
her famous father- Madapath Veda Mahattaya’s guli and thaila, for various
ailments that we young women had at that time . I still recall, how some of
those little guli’s fixed my ” upset stomach, ” after I indulged in some
food- sheer glut that was back then !
And Oh– the most delicious home cooked Gampaha food she would bring back,
on Sunday evening, when ever she went home for the weekend which was just
plain Food of The Gods for us, in the Hopper House!
I do recall how I visited her at the Jayawardenepura Hospital , a few
times, back in the 80’s when she was working in the ER, and Narme for the
Med Director of the hospital
I never missed a chance to visit her there . Later on, we all met at a
reception back in the early 2000’s at a golf club in Colombo , and it was
such a treat to see her there . Sadly, no photos of that beautiful event
survived the water damage to my Class of 64 photo album, of 50 yrs of photos
..
These two photos came from Selvarani- who had it on a CD- that she
generously shared with me .
My only regret is that I did not find the time to visit her during the
2014, Class of 64 RU .
I was planning to visit her this time- -and now, it is not meant to be ….
Nothing in Life Lasts for Ever ..–Lives Lived, Lessons Learned ..
May you Attain Nibbana my dear Dhamsa .
Your Class of 64 Mate – Deepthie .
I too just heard from Damayanthi Wijedoru who had spoken to her husband Wilmot. Funeral to be notified later.
She worked with me at Sri Jayewardenapura General Hospital. She was a quietly efficient and conscientious and unassuming soul. My son still remembers her as a kind doctor who nebulized him during an asthma attack. May she atain Nibbana and her journey through Samsara be short.
My deepest sympatties to Wilmot and children
Narme
Deepest sympathies to Wilmot.
Ranjit and I-are very sad to hear the”passing away “ of our dear friend Dhamsa.Time before last when we were in SL I spoke to her on the phone and she struggled to speak saying that she cannot swallow and depends on “tube feeding” . She passed the phone to her husband who said that he is a full time cater for her. Since Wilmot did not know me, Dhamsa had taken the group photo from our Bentota RU and pointed me to him to tell him that the one in the photo was the one chatting with him. I told herthat I will visit her with some others on a subsequent visit but unfortunately it is not to be.
Our deepest sympathies go to Wilmot and the other members of her family.
Praxy and Ranjit
“Appreciation of a Batchmate”
Pl see the Appreciation of Bunty published in the Daily Mirror at this link
Shared by Laki Senanayake
http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Appreciation-Dr-N-T-Kurukulasuriya-had-a-large-heart–152381.html
1994 Ru
Shared by Deepthie
Passing of a Wonderful Batch’64 – Mate
James’s wife informed me that James( Our Batch mate) who suffered from Parkinsons for many years, passed away on ?14.03.18.
I recieved the message only yesterday morning.
Sree
Sathyanayagam and I visited him at his home about 2-3 yrs ago. We were not sure if he recognized us. We had a chat with his wife.
I will try to call his wife to express our condolences
Dharma
“A Tribute to Kamala”
“Kamala”- A Tribute
Shared by Titus
A Tribute To Dr Kamala Gomez By Dr Titus Fernando
At Her Funeral Service On Wednesday 7th February 2018
We are gathered here to pay our respects to a very special lady. Kamala was always a calm, quiet, modest, beautiful and elegant lady. That does not do justice to her does it?
Kamala was a loving and caring wife to Gaspar, loving and caring mother to her two lovely daughters Shehana & Nicky, a true and sincere friend to all her relatives and friends and a very caring and trusted doctor to her patients. My wife Sunita always speaks of her as a very elegant lady and I have heard this comment from Sunila, Rio and several others.
I first met Kamala in August 1964 when I entered the Medical Faculty. Our batch was blessed with pretty girls some of whom are here today and still looking good. Kamala was one of the best. Her beauty, charm, innocence, good complexion and lovely smile charmed and captivated many young bucks in our batch and earned her many admirers. A young handsome guy called Gaspar Gomez with his good qualities usually only found in Josephians, and his posh Colombo 7 accent won Kamala’s heart.
Briefly I would like to mention 2 iconic moments from our faculty days.
Kamala stayed at the girls’ hostel down De Saram Place which was only a stone throw from the faculty of Medicine. Why on earth it was called the “Hopper House” I will never know. Our young hero was regularly seen walking up and down De Saram Place dressed like prince charming and singing the favourite My Fair Lady hit “I have often walked down this street before” because he was far too early for the scheduled strict visiting hours of the girls hostel. He was reeking of Aramis to an extent even the Norris Canal round the corner smelt nice for a moment or two. He may have been the first to go but was the last to leave. Such was his dedication to Anatomy” which I hear was an interest they both shared for the next 5 years.
Second iconic moment was … Kamala standing outside the men’s common room to speak to Gaspar since girls were not allowed there. When we see her Kingsley, Almeida or myself and sometimes all three instead of calling Gaspar go to her and say “Hi Kamala can I help you” With a sweet smile she will say “Anae can I speak to Gaspar please?” If Kingsley was there the usual reply was “Gaspar is dead”. And Kamala would say “Anae Kingsley don’t say that”. Then our second pleasant task was to summon Gaspar and this was a joy if he was playing bridge or billiards especially billiards since it was always very difficult to get a turn on the table we considered it a bonus. We would go and say “Gaspar, Kamala wants you… now… Go” Gaspar would leave immediately muttering and what he was uttering I can tell you in confidence was not prayers. However by the time he gets to Kamala every trace of irritation had left his countenance and he is all milk and honey. Clever boy. They learn fast don’t they! How you ladies take a wild young man who cannot be controlled by his parents and turn them into an obedient husband I will never understand and do it with only a smile.
If life had buttons like a video recorder they both would have pressed the pause button.
But life moves on. Their love was true. They got married, made a lovely nest and they were blessed with two lovely daughters Shehana & Nicky. They had a wonderful & happy life, stack of money, a large circle of good friends, travelled the world over and visited friends in different parts of the world. Life was good. The world was their oyster.
However unknown to them dark clouds were gathering without any warning.
Disease is no respecter of Royalty, Professions, and Riches. It does not care if you are good or bad. Some 10 or 11 years ago when we spotted the tell-tale signs we were distressed. Helpless all we could do was to pray. The near and dear ones to Kamala have noticed this a couple of years earlier to their distress.
When the going gets tough the tough gets going. Kamala accepted this twist of fate gracefully and coped with it bravely and with dignity with the help of her loving husband Gaspar and her loving daughters Shehana and Nicky and the help of a few very close circle of friends like Neville & Mallika. She did this until about three years ago when all control was taken out of her hands. The task on her loving husband, two loving daughters and their few close friends was heavy and demanding but they rose up to the challenge with a smile and looked after her with love & dedication until she passed away peacefully on the 22nd of January 2018.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take
But by the magical moments that take your breath away
So many magical moments to reminisce every day
You did dear Kamala in your own special way.
Kamala made many magical moments for all of us.
The magical moments Kamala had created for Sunita and me are …
Whenever she sees us at an event or function her beautiful and innocent face will breakup into a warm welcoming smile and she would say “Ahh, Titus & Sunita are here”
The other is when we were at a school dance or some such function she would always have a dance or two with me. She was a great dancer and a real lady on the floor. At the Josephian Dance some 6 or 7 years ago Kamala was suffering from this wretched condition but she recognised us and Kingsley and commented “Kingsley bolayak wagae” On that occasion too she danced with me and after 1 dance started pining for Gaspar. It was a symptom that got progressively worse to the distress of her close family and friends.
Dear Kamala your work is done.
God has called you to enjoy the eternal reward you richly deserve. You showed everyone how to live in peace.
Rest in peace dear friend.
We love you …
We will miss you …
But we will never forget you.
Titus
This image was forwarded by Deepthie this evening, to go with her comment below
Kamala’s Final journey !-
The date was the 7th of February and the time was 11am. It was the date and the time we said ”Farewell” to Kamala.
It was a sad occasion as well as a happy occasion too. Sad, because we were saying good bye to our dear friend Kamala. Happy, because her suffering was over. From the number of attendees, it was obvious, how popular Kamala was. During the service, which was very moving, a beautiful hymn was sung, followed by the playing of two of Kamala’s favourite songs. Gaspar and Kamala’s daughter Shehana paid a loving tribute to her mother. Their other daughter could not attend as she was organising the church service held at Thimbirigasyaya at the same time. Shaukat’s eulogy at the crematorium demonstrated highly of Kamala’s wonderful nature and expressed admiration of the loving relationship between her and Gaspar. The cremation was followed by lunch at a nearby hotel and Titus described at length, what a wonderful couple Kamala and Gaspar have been…. from the start of their careers as medical students, till the final hours and the last moment of Kamala’s life on this earth. Their son in law’s oration was delivered in a formal and dignified manner.. Kamala’s carer demonstrated by her eulogy, what a lovely patient Kamala had been and the love and affection shown by Gaspar from the beginning to the end.
When God saw Kamala feeling tired,
And a cure was not to be.
He put His arms around her
And whispered “come back to me”.
He didn’t like what Kamala went through,
And decided to give her rest.
Now that she is free of pain,
We don’t wish her to come back, to suffer that pain again.
Gaspar do not be sad, as Kamala has found her final rest,
Please know that God called her as she is one of the very best.
Praxy.
Celebration of Life- Kamala Gomez
Dear all
It is with sadness that i forward the message just recieved from Lucky in Canada. Our sympathies are with Gazpas and children
Lakshmen and Gita
Gomez – Dr Kamala (nee Abeywickrema)
Dearly beloved wife of Gaspar, loving mother of Shehana and Niki (MAS Holdings), mother in law of Stefano, passed away peacefully in Chichester, West Sussex, UK on Monday 22nd January 2018.
Much loved sister of Kulasena, Dr Palitha (Australia), Ananda, Malini, Ratna & Karuna. Daughter of the late Mr & Mrs D.A. Abeywickrema of Yatiyana
Her funeral service will be held at the Chichester crematorium on Wednesday 7th February 2018 at 11 am.
A Thanksgiving Service for the life of Kamala will be held on Wednesday 7th February at 5 pm at St. Theresa’s Church, Thimbirigasyaya
Ranjith A
It is with great sadness that I write this …
I cannot even get my head around to write tribute to my dear friend
Kamala, as my heart is sooo broken now ….
Gaspar- My Deepest Sympathies to you, and your two lovely daughters-
You have been such a GREAT support to Kamala and family, and GREAT source
of Inspiration and Courage for the Class of 64 .
I will never forget the song you sang for Kamala on that Friday Night
concert, and all I can remember , is I was crying buckets of tears, and you
were sooo very brave, singing the song for Kamala …
Gaspar- you have such lovely memories of your Life and Times with Kamala-
that will give you the strength to move on .
You could not have done anymore than what you did to care for her so very
lovingly during her illness for nearly 15 years — A Testimony to True Love
…
I remember you my dear Kamala, the very FIRST DAY you walked into the
Block- via Norris Canal Rd- with the books in your hand , two long black
braids gently swaying with that most famous gentle swinging walk of yours !
You were staying with your doctor older brother at that time , who was
sooo very protective of his pretty little sister ( you were the youngest in
the family ) that he even sent an Aiya to follow behind you , so the boys
would not ‘rag ‘ you !!
I will never ever forget this day, as long as I live, and Rajes was also
with me, standing next to me watching you walk along Norris Canal Rd !
And, I do seem to recall, even Gaspar and a few other guys standing and
watching you walking along Norris Canal Rd, that fine morning, and I think,
it was Love at First Sight for Gaspar and the Rest is History …
After the Girls Hostel girl hostel was built, you were in the Girls
Hostel,with the rest of us , for the next five years , on the 3rd Floor-
with the naughty ones, with Stella as your room mate .There was my self,
Rajes, Maha , and Saradamani on the 3rd floor . and we sure had good times
!
Sweet, Sweet Kamala, in her own sweet Dream World- as we used to say back
then, as nothing would ruffle you, always calm, gentle, with that ever
present sweet, sweet smiling face , no matter what the situations was .
I recall- coming to your room in the hostel- just to be with you, to clear
my head so to speak, and let some of that gentleness of yours to rub off
on to me, when ever things bothered me , and my head was spinning around !
I recall all the lies I had to tell your mom and dad, when you went
sneaking out with Gaspar, met with an accident and broke your hand one
fine night !
But, I had to tell our subwarden- Dr Phyllis Costa- the truth !
Oh My God- I will never forget this episode- Gaspar- I wonder if you
remember this !!!
Gaspar- was Deva and Stella were also in the car also that fun night ?
Those were the days !!
Those were good days Kamala- and I am glad I have such a good memory for
these things .
Then, we met in UK – 1989 RU- you and Gaspar- and we had such a good time .
This photo above is us at that time- which I call the Kellas of the Sixties
!
Then, I came and visited you and Gaspar in UK back in the late 90’s, spent
a night at your home, and you made such a good meal for me, and treated me
right royally .
You both visited me in my condo in Mississauga, Ontario- Canada , when
Gaspar came to visit his sister in Ontario .
I attended your older daughter’s wedding too, in Srilanka, in 2001 January
I think .
A pity I don’t have any photos of those events , with me right now, for
the Class of 64 to see .
Kamala My Sweet Friend- May You Attain Nibanna and Live Happy in the
Eternal Garden of Flowers ….
Gaspar- to you I say- Hold On to The Sweet Memory of Sweet Kamala for your
Future Strength ..
Your Loving Friend- Deepthie .
Kamala’s Funeral arrangements
Dear All.
Biga phoned me just now asking me to insert the cremation details of Kamala in the blog. as Gaspar had asked him to let all of us know the details.
Date – 7th February at 11am.
At Chichester Crematorium ( near St Richards Hospital )
49/51 Spittalfield Lane.
Chichester.
West Sussex.
Post Code PO19 6SG ( For Sat nav )
Phone number 01243 839777.
Thank you.
Praxy
News, Views and More from Batch'64, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo, SriLanka 