Appreciations
View(s):Her leadership role extended beyond the call of duty
Professor Dulitha Nandani Fernando
Emeritus Professor Dulitha Nandani Fernando was an outstanding figure in the field of Public Health in Sri Lanka. A graduate of the University of Ceylon, her journey as an academic started in 1970 when she joined the Department of Community Medicine, where she served as the Head of the Department of Community Medicine from 1984 to 2005 and as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine from 2005 to 2008. Prof. Dulitha retired from the University of Colombo in 2010. At the time she was the Chair and Senior Professor of Community Medicine.
Prof. Dulitha’s contribution towards Community Medicine was vast. She was the Founder President of the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka in 1996/97. An outstanding, well-respected and much-loved teacher, she supervised, mentored and guided many undergraduate as well as postgraduate students. Her enthusiasm for the subject really showed through the lectures she delivered and she promoted critical thinking by encouraging students to present their ideas. Professor Fernando served as the Chairperson of the Board of Study in Community Medicine of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo from 1992 to 2000.
It was in the latter part of 1990s that I first encountered her as a young medical graduate from the former Soviet Union aspiring to pursue my post graduate education in Public Health without having a great deal of understanding about the Sri Lankan health system let alone the discipline of Public Health. The training she and her team provided shaped my career. It is not only a story of her contributions to my professional development, but also the story of hundreds of Sri Lankan medical Public Health professionals who excelled in different medical and public health disciplines in the island and beyond.
As a graduate from a socialist country where the system was totally different, I learned the ABC of Public Heath for the first time for the Act 16 examination that is mandatory for medical registration for a foreign graduate. However, the turning point was the selection to follow the one-year course leading to the Master of Science in Community Medicine. This offered the initial platform for knowing Professor Fernando that lasted for a long period. She imparted the knowledge in basic sciences relevant to Public health, instilled strict discipline and inculcated systematic approaches to solving problems that later helped us build vital life skills.
I realized what a gem of a person she was during the viva voce. Her co-examiner was a type who pulled the legs of the students with sarcasm and kind of a cruelty towards students. I could vividly remember how strategically pacifying her colleague, she made me feel easy and relaxed to answer their questions professionally. That reflected her qualities of respecting the integrity of the student and assessing him objectively without building pressure cooker situations.
I, like many of her students, was fortunate to learn from her experience and knowledge during the preparatory course (MD part 1) leading to the Doctor of Medicine Part 2 exam. This theoretical course was coordinated by her and I would rank it, then, on par with any such course in the world. Following the success in this examination, I joined her department for completing the doctoral thesis and soon realized how concerned she was of the academic progress of students. Weekly face to face meetings helped us to discuss all the problems that we encountered and she would find solutions to the best of her ability. That was indeed the leadership role that extended beyond her duty.
Professor Fernando’s role was not confined to teaching. She was a fierce fighter in improving the quality of undergraduate and post graduate public health education in Sri Lanka. As a founding member, the former president and a pioneer in the College of Community Physicians, she contributed to the upliftment of Community Physicians in Sri Lanka in the fabric of Sri Lankan medical specialties. Her contributions to several advisory groups in the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka for health policy and strategy development were priceless.
Professor Fernando, as far as I know, had a PhD from the UK in nutrition. While she had the opportunity to stay and work in the UK, she returned to her motherland and immensely contributed to the medical education and phenomenal success of the nation in Public Health by assisting formulation of policies, strategies and human resource development. The latter role she continued even after retirement till her passing away.
She was indeed a remarkable personality and one of the few of the old school that kept the country and society before self. As the Buddha preached, hers was a mind shaped by selfless thoughts that gives joy when it speaks or acts. She was indeed one among many unsung heroes in the medical /health field this country was fortunate to have.
Dr. Pushpa Ranjan Wijesinghe
We offer you a bouquet of prayers sprayed with teardrops
FLORENCE MIHINDUKULASURIYA
Tribute to a precious mother on her 100th birthday
You were the most precious gift my six siblings and I received from God above
For which we thank God almighty with gratitude in our hearts
You were an elegant soul and took in all that life had to offer
And we celebrate your life with thanksgiving on this special day
The endless love, joy and happiness you brought
Warms our hearts and fills our every thought
Your guidance and encouragement
and the sacrifices you made
Paved the way for us to enrich our lives in every way
You made us who we are today
Always being our pillar of strength and guiding light
And we are so grateful for all what you have done for us
Your firm faith and trust in God
paved the way for our youngest brother
to be ordained as a Catholic priest in the service of God
It was your greatest blessing and a privilege
Which you cherished throughout your life
Things have changed much in our family circle since you left
With joys and sorrows paving the way
You were blessed by God to hold a bundle of joy
Your first born grandchild before you passed away
Since then the family tree has grown by the grace of God
You’ve been blessed with 14 great- grandchildren now
to light our path
When our beloved Daddy and eldest brother passed away
You were our strength and comfort from heaven above
we felt your loving presence with us during these difficult days
You were beside us in treading these paths with ups and downs
being our guiding light throughout from heaven above.
You left us beautiful memories and your love is still our guide
Sterling qualities you possessed we will strive to emulate throughout our lives
Today as you celebrate your 100th birthday in heaven darling mummy
We offer our beautiful bouquet of prayers sprayed with teardrops
With love and deep gratitude in our hearts
As we reminisce cherished memories of the birthday celebrations we’ve shared
We will forever miss you
And always hold you close within our hearts till we meet again
A very happy 100th birthday darling mummy in heaven!
May your soul rest in peace.
Your everloving daughter Sweenitha Fernando
To thathi, the wind beneath my wings
LAKSHMAN SOYSA
My Thathi, Lakshman, affectionately called Lucky by friends, was a loving husband and father to three children and adored grandfather of four; a man who was generous in spirit and humble to the core.
Born into a middle-class family in Negombo in the midst of World War 2, he fondly recalled his early childhood. His father who was his idol, sadly died of a heart attack when Thathi was 11. As the eldest of three children, he had to grow up fast in a household missing a father figure and life was not easy for him.
After a brief period of truancy, he was set on the right path by a caring aunt, attending University and graduating as an Electrical Engineer from the University of Peradeniya in 1967.
Our parents met in 1969 through a mutual acquaintance and were married in 1970. As a family we had our share of amazing times and trying periods. Whatever sacrifices they had to make, our parents ensured we were cared for and brought up to be who we are today. Their marriage lasted 50 amazing years, which they celebrated last August before Thathi’s passing!
Thathi began his career in the Fisheries Department and then wound up at the Sri Lanka Telecom Department (SLTD) where he spent the rest of his career, rising to the rank of Additional Director prior to his early retirement. He made many friends among his colleagues; many who remained close to him even at the time of his death.
He was loved and respected by many colleagues and subordinates, their messages of condolence, highlighting his pivotal role in computerizing the SLTD. They appreciated his generosity in imparting his knowledge and experience without hesitation.
He was also an active member of the British Computer Society, Institute of Engineering & Technology and Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka. He was on the interview panel for BCS and IET even in his later years till he fell ill.
He was a man who believed in defending the basic principles he lived by, namely, integrity and honesty, even at the cost of foregoing luxuries and lucrative associations.
He had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and an inquisitive nature which resulted in many lengthy and passionate debates on technical topics. That same conviction was reflected in his working life where he stood firmly by what he believed.
He was a constant source of motivation and support, not only to us, his children, but to our relatives, his colleagues and friends – never failing to prop us up or provide much needed advice when we doubted our own abilities or actions.
He had a fun side which included a love of music, dancing and was an avid classical guitarist. While thinking of him a few days ago, I remembered a song he used to play; “Wind beneath my wings” by Roger Whitaker – “did you ever know that you’re my hero, you’re everything I wish I could be…”
Something to strive for.
Lakshan Soysa
Wonderful nangi and childhood playmate
Savithri Culbertson nee Fernando
Savithri Culbertson (nee Fernando), my nangi, passed away on October 2, 2020 in South Carolina, USA after having suffered a considerable period due to cancer. Nangi who was two years younger than I migrated to the US after completing the AMI Montessori course conducted by St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo.
Savithri (affectionately called Savi) and I were regular childhood playmates –first in Maharagama and thereafter in Kandy. I still recall how we used to play ‘house’ in the garden. We would pretend to prepare a meal which consisted mainly of leaves, sticks, etc. We played with nangi’s dolls and my dinky toy cars.
Having had her education at Good Shepherd Convent, Kandy and thereafter at St. Bridget’s Convent, Savithri successfully completed her Montessori course. Nangi’s first husband was Nimal Weerasekera and they had one daughter Nathasha who is also in the US. Nangi’s second marriage was to Mike Culbertson who looked after her with a lot of love and concern until her death. They have a daughter, Maria.
After losing our dear thaththa at the young age of 45 in 1960, our amma brought us up very well and ensured that we all studied well and qualified till we were able to stand on our own feet.
Savithri was a devoted wife, caring and loving mother, wonderful sister and a true friend. She was a devout Roman Catholic. She was a great inspiration to us all. During her many vacations in Sri Lanka we enjoyed her company especially her lively baila dancing.
Savithri’s loving husband Mike, her daughters Nathasha and Maria, her in-laws, my sister and I and many friends in Sri Lanka and the US will miss her tremendously. However, we are all confident that nangi is with the Lord in heaven, relieved of all her suffering.
May her gracious soul rest in peace.
Sunil Fernando