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He who knows remedies, scrabble and bonsai
Esther Williams talks to Prof. Merrille Perera whose many hobbies keep him busy and happy
How did a clinical pathologist turn into an artist with the added skills of working with pressed flowers, bonsai and scrabble?

"I am an antique," laughs 77-year-old Professor Merrille Perera, attributing his creativity to his 'early to bed, early to rise' policy. Being the active person he is, he says that he puts enthusiasm into everything he does and hence, anything he attempts he does well.

Having completed his MBBS from the University of Colombo in 1953, Dr. Perera went to the UK to study medicine and pathology. Upon his return he joined the Department of Health as a specialist. He was one of the few pathologists in the country during that time and his opinion was sought in several investigations.

He retired from government service after 40 years and then was the Professor of Pathology at the University of Ruhuna for three years. Pathologists are the backbone of hospitals. Not seen or heard of much, they do some of the most important work, according to him.

This consultant pathologist also has to his credit 25 research articles on tropical diseases in both local and foreign journals.

During his tenure in government service Dr. Perera showed total dedication to the medical profession. It was only after he retired that he developed his artistic side, going for art classes with well-known sculptress and artist Sita de Saram. Here he began working with oils, acrylics and water colours, although his preference lies in pastels. His work was exhibited thrice in group exhibitions at the Wendt.

Subsequently, he became interested in pressed flowers and was soon making wall hangings and bookmarks. And then a few years ago he went to Bonsai exhibition at the Galle Face Hotel. "I was fascinated. Nurturing a Bonsai plant was like bringing up a child that needs attention each day. It needs to be watered, pruned and re-potted," he says. Today, Dr. Perera is the Vice President of the Ceylon Bonsai Club.

Currently, Prof. Perera devotes much of his time to Scrabble. Not only does he contribute a weekly column to the Daily Mirror, he has also written a book on Scrabble hints and is now compiling another ‘Scarbble made easy’.

"I find it a challenge," says this President of the Sri Lanka Scrabble Association, admitting that his good knowledge of the English language kept him on top of his job. Wanting to pass on his knowledge and skills, he teaches Scrabble at the Lyceum and Alethea International Schools and has written several word books.

Prof. Perera enjoys working with children. "All children do today is go for tuition and their spare time is taken up with the TV, computer and cell phones. We did much more in our time," he adds.

He sincerely hopes that he would be able to help some of them build their word power. How does he find time for all this? "If you want to do something you will find time for it," he insists. Never in the habit of postponing, he says, "God has given me good health. I have no cataract or heart disease and I am satisfied with what I have."

Prof. Perera went into medicine with a service motive and he says he will continue to serve others. His success he attributes to the discipline that doctors are trained in while studying medicine. In conclusion he says, "I don't compare myself with others and I don't do things for money - that's why I have the time."

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