Appreciations
View(s):Dr. Mark Amerasinghe
To Sir, with love
Many will write appreciations of Dr. Mark Amerasinghe in the weeks and months ahead of us. Dr. Amerasinghe will be remembered for his contributions to medicine, literature, drama, music, and, of course, his commentaries on Sri Lankan politics. I’m sure others will write about these many accomplishments. I would just like to share a personal note about my teacher and my friend.
Growing up in Kandy, I knew of Dr. Amerasinghe,especially his aesthetic talents, and had seen him performing at various venues in and around Peradeniya. I also vaguely knew that he treated my mother’s back pain. Dr. Amerasinghe became aware of my existence much later when I entered the Peradeniya Medical Faculty in 1998, a year before his retirement.
My “body group” had secured undesirable recognition at the Anatomy Department for being one of two groups that had scored the lowest average marks in anatomy at the first term exams. In retrospect, this was extremely fortunate because Dr. Amerasinghe was designated our tutor in the second term, for this reason. I remember the first day of dissections in the second term when he invited each of us over individually to his table. I approached his table, strewn with bits of bone, with some reticence. He had painted a scary picture of himself during a series of introductory lectures in osteology when he recounted his experiences at Balapitiya Hospital; he told us that he had been known as “Balapitiye Chandiya,” warning us against any hanky panky, and I had avoided him since.
Dr. Amerasinghe had joined the Department of Anatomy in 1985 after having worked many years as a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. He was known among students to be a strict disciplinarian with little tolerance for slack behaviour. Perhaps I was lucky to encounter him at the University rather than at the Hospital. In his words, “I changed my tune once I was teaching on campus, for the reason that I drew a very sharp distinction between campus and hospital. Of course, at the same time I did not encourage the idea that on campus you could do just as you pleased. Discipline is always the essence of living – by which I mean the recognition of one’s own rights and that of others.”
But when I faced him at his table in the dissection room, he was extremely gentle. We discussed my low mark, and, rather characteristically, I complained about the pre-clinical programme, and, in particular, anatomy. As I remember, he was only mildly interested in my complaints. Rather he pointed to my batch mates struggling with English, and told me off for being a complainer.
For me, this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Right through the rest of my 2nd MBBS, I would find myself staying back after dissections to talk to Dr. Amerasinghe. We discussed many things, and, as far as I was concerned, anatomy was at the very bottom of a list of more interesting topics. I recall being unhappy with my decision to do medicine, and often wishing I had done “languages” for my A/Ls, a thought I often shared with Dr. Amerasinghe. Later that year, he lent me Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a book about a seagull, bored with the mundaneness and tedium of life as a seagull. While I enjoyed the book, it was much later that I understood why he lent me the book at that particular time.
Unlike many teachers, Dr. Amerasinghe did not “lecture” in his conversations and would actually listen to me. I even felt quite comfortable disagreeing with him. For instance, I pointed out that his dissection manual was outdated in its generalisation of the male pronoun. He referred to me as “He/She/It” for the rest of that year, a name that never ceased to annoy me. Referring to this incident, he would write these words to me almost a decade later, “Contrary to your belief, I never had and do not have the slightest gender prejudice at all, and the first time I pondered the problem was when you lodged your protest!”
Although Dr. Amerasinghe left the Faculty when I was in my second year, we remained friends. I would call him quite frequently to update him on my experiences at the Faculty, and would bump into him occasionally at events, mostly at plays or talks at the Arts Faculty. A wonderful feature of our conversations was that he would remember everything I said in the years to come. He would remain extremely interested in all aspects of my life as I discussed life decisions or turned to him for comfort when I felt abandoned. He was among a few teachers that supported my career decisions, whether to move to Badulla, or to switch to public health. He did not pass judgment, and never asked questions about a sensitive topic, unless I broached it myself.
We communicated frequently on email, even after I left for North America in 2009 for my post-graduate studies. Our correspondence was argumentative, often focusing on Sri Lankan politics.
I had strong opinions about his commentaries on the post-war situation in the country. Going back to the various threads of email exchanges, I came across a particularly aggressive missive after the release of the 2011 UN report, which ended with these words from Dr. Amerasinghe: “It’s unfortunate that in spite of having grown older you are still in that monkey story mind set, in that you extrapolate very freely on what I say or write…. you can be sure that since I’ve closed the correspondence – a unilateral cease-fire, if you wish, my course of lectures is over both in the giving and the taking!” But this course of lectures did not end, as we returned to the same discussion a few weeks later.
I saw Dr. Amerasinghe for the last time just over a week ago when I visited his home in Anniewatta. I had met Dr. Premini Amerasinghe at the Bible Oration a few days earlier when she mentioned that he had complained about not having heard from me for some time.
I was very happy to see him in good spirits and extremely alert, in spite of his deteriorating health condition. We discussed my work, the Presidential Elections, his writings, and many other topics that Saturday morning. In fact, he told me about his most recent article, which was to appear in the papers the very next day. I’m very thankful that I didn’t postpone that visit.
I would like to end with a quote from one of Dr. Amerasinghe’s more recent emails, which I believe says so much about him:
“As I get older, I realise more and more that the only really worthwhile and enduring thing is human relationships and a sense of humanness.”
Dr. Amerasinghe, thank you for your friendship. I will miss you.
Ramya Kumar
Anton Fernando
Eminent lawyer who was a model
of integrity
Anton Fernando, another dear friend has left us. I am myself an octo-generian. My last few articles have been appreciations of dear friends and relatives who have gone to their eternal rest.
I knew Anton from my schooldays. Our friendship blossomed further, when Nalini and I, just married ourselves, were transferred to Panadura. I was a young medical officer and Anton was beginning his career as a lawyer. I had no doubt that Anton would go far. We also came to know Anton’s family who were our neighbours in Panadura. They were a devout Catholic family and their members have achieved success in the careers they chose.
Anton was a personable young professional. After a brief courtship he married Shanthi Wijeyeratne. She was an ideal companion. Their married life was in the traditions of a truly Catholic family. Their children Shanil and Rushika have brought joy to them. Shanil is a brilliant lawyer and has helped Anton, especially during his recent illness. His daughter-in-law Sherika, a doctor and Rushika his daughter have also helped him, especially during the last few years. Shanik, his little grandson was the ‘apple of Anton’s eye’ and helped to light up the last days of his life. Anton and Shanthi were fortunate to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary last year.
Anton established himself early in life as an incisive and razor-sharp attorney. He was an avid and voracious reader. He became an expert on Constitutional Law. He was consulted by many lawyers on the interpretation of Constitutional Law in different countries of the world.
Anton’s Christian background was reflected in his work. He was a principled lawyer, whose integrity was impeccable. He accrued eminent degrees and qualifications. He had a lucrative practice and was consulted in a number of difficult and complicated cases. I personally knew that Anton helped poor clients in their cases and never charged them a fee.
He was a member of many prestigious associations. He was the founder member of the Catholic Professionals Union. At All Saints Church Borella, Anton formed an Elders Union, which has done innovative work targeting both indigent and other elders to gain important benefits.
In 2013, the Organisation of Professional Associations presented him with a Life-time Award in recognition of his services to Sri Lanka.
Anton and Shanthi in their quiet and unobtrusive way contributed significantly to the renovation of the Parish Church, Panadura. Very few knew that they were responsible for the magnificent floor that adorns the church.
Anton belonged to a select, erudite and esoteric group, of which I am proud to be a member. The group’s ideals and concepts could, if implemented shape the destinies of a people or nation towards an Eden or El Dorado, rarely seen in this world. Anton, I have no doubt, is now in that celestial palace living in eternal bliss. There are no “Goodbyes” Anton; till we meet again!
-Nihal Abeyesundere
Mandalanayagam Balasubramaniam
An affable personality, he embodied true Thomian grit
Once again the cold hand of death has snatched a man of great character. When the unassuming passes into the unknown, paeans are hardly ever sung but, with Mandalanayagam Balasubramaniam passing away, the legend will live on. Bala popularly known as Walkers Bala, Lucas Bala and Castrol Bala, an esteemed and affable personality, epitomising true Thomian grit, received the lifetime achievement award at the 125th OBA celebration dinner.
As a father, he was the best of the best and a pillar of strength to all those who crossed his path. Born February 23, 1935, he celebrated his 80th birthday this year and also his 52nd wedding anniversary on February 9.
Bala excelled in athletics, as Captain of the Athletics squad, STC won the Tarbet Shield and he also held the public school record for the 100 metres and 200 metres in athletics. He was Head Prefect of St. Thomas’ College in 1955 and was awarded the Victoria Gold Medal.
Bala was constantly active in the numerous projects of the OBA as Vice President in the mid-90s, Chairman of the Athletics Steering Committee; moving on to be Co-Chairman of the Organising Committee for the 125th Battle of the Blues and later President of the Centenary Group.
Career-wise, he joined Walkers right after school and stayed with them for 30 years. He was the Founder and Chairman of Klevenberg (Pvt) Ltd., and introduced synthetic lubricants and the concept of mobile automotive battery service to Sri Lanka.
Bala lived a simple life worthy of emulation. He was a dedicated, intelligent leader, athlete and entrepreneur, whom we will all greatly miss. We convey our deepest condolences to the family members of this true gentleman who has left indelible footprints on the sands of time.
Esto Perpetua!
- A friend