email from Nihal Amerasekera, re Derryck De Silva

			Sep 21, 2019, 2:37 PM (2 days ago)

Dear Philip Trust you are keeping well. I heard recently Derryck de Silva has been unwell. We have known each other for many many years. I have written a tribute to him which I will send to you for publication in your batch blog. I feel it is best, if possible, to write about a friend when he is alive. I have spoken to him last week and he is on treatment. let us hope all will be well. Take care Kind regards

Derryck De Silva – A Tribute to a friend

Derryck had his education at Wesley College Colombo in the 1950’s.  There he had an impressive academic record.  He was a keen Boy Scout and a member of the 14^th Colombo Scout Troop. For his duty and commitment he won the Queen Scout Award, the ultimate decoration for a Boy Scout. Derryck was a keen rugby player and represented the school in the Ist XV. There is no greater honour for any schoolboy than being the head boy of the school. He was appointed the Senior Prefect in 1957. Derryck held this position with flair, style and swagger. He was an all round student and to this day remains intensely loyal to his old school.

In 1960 Derryck was successful in the University Entrance Examination and won a place in the Faculty of Medicine in Colombo. He was a popular medical student arriving daily for his lectures in a big, loud NSU Motor Cycle. This had immense cult status. It was his pride and joy and the envy of many. His popularity grew in the Faculty. Amidst fierce competition he was elected the President of the Medical Students’ Union in 1964. His thank you speech and the party that followed in the Common room are memories to cherish. Derryck was ever present at the many raucous evening functions at the Mens’ Common Room when drinks and music were in plenty and the students let their hair down. He continued with his sports playing rugby for the Faculty and the University and captaining the University Hockey “B” Team. He sailed through the difficult medical examinations and qualified as a doctor in 1965.

Post qualification Derryck worked at the General Hospital Kurunegala. I started my Internship at Kurunegala in 1967. Then the House Officers Quarters was a great place of fun where laughter was endemic. His loud trademark laughter could be heard from his room at all hours of the day and night. Despite his fun, wit and humour Derryck was much respected as a hardworking and conscientious doctor.  Those were carefree days of wine and roses with tremendous youthful exuberance. I recall with much nostalgia the annual Kurunegala Law-Medical match, the many parties and the sing-songs that brightened up our lives. He continued to enjoy the good life of a young medic in Kurunegala for 4 years. His work ethic and commitment to his staff and patients was acknowledged by all. 

When Derryck was so much a part of the Kurunegala scene it surprised us when he resigned from government service to start General Practice in Tissamaharama.  With his wonderful bedside manner, warmth and humanity, his patients loved him. In a short spell of time he developed a roaring general practice opening a satellite surgery in Hambantota.  Despite his busy schedule, occasionally, Derryck travelled many hours to visit his friends in Kurunegala. This was a glorious success story. But then Derryck had a restless spirit, constantly wanting to better himself. He had tremendous ambition and motivation to do well in life.

After several years of service to the rural community, in 1974, he sold his practice and left for the UK to pursue a career in Radiology. He worked in the prestigious St Mary’s Hospital in Praed Street London. I knew Derryck at school but got to know him more closely when we were Senior Registrars together at the Maida Vale Hospital for Nervous Diseases. We both served two of the best Neuroradiologists of the time, David Sutton and Brian Kendall. Although the work was difficult and demanding working with Derryck was such a great pleasure. His forthrightness and sense of duty stood out and he was well liked by all. When the need arose, he could be combative. Wherever he worked he established a formidable reputation as a strong and decisive leader who never shrank from speaking his mind. He knew where to draw the line. We all remember the time when a hospital porter called him ‘Derrick’ - he said firmly but with a smile, “call me Dr De Silva”.  Derryck’s wit and humour helped us to overcome the tough and tedious work of that institution. With Don Anthony and Anand, the Sri Lankan radiographers who worked with us, there was plenty of spirit and togetherness. The way we stuck together made us a happy team that enjoyed our Radiology providing a fine service that was much valued.

In his youth Derryck was an entrepreneur. Despite the hard work and the onerous routines of Radiology he continued with his business interests dabbling in the lucrative travel industry and buying and selling upmarket luxury cars. He spoke so very little of his burgeoning business empire!!

When he qualified as a Radiologist Derryck’s wandering star resurfaced. This made him move to Essen in Germany where he worked in General and Neuro-Radiology. This heralded a period of great success and achievement. The family were living their dream when tragedy struck out of the blue. The death of his wife to illness was a shattering blow. There was much sound advice along with huge amounts of sympathy but the road ahead was a difficult one.  He cared and supported his children to give them a fine education and a good start in life. His son and daughter both qualified as doctors. They now live and work in Colombo. Derryck spent as much time in Sri Lanka as possible with his family enjoying the time immensely. 

We have been friends since schooldays. What stands out is his honesty, integrity and the ability to take life in his stride. My lasting memory of Derryck is his love for sing-songs when he sang “down by the riverside “ standing around a piano. He knew all the words and its multitude of parodies. More recently his own health has  not been at its best. Derrwick deals with these issues with enormous courage and characteristic indomitable spirit. He remains cheerful and his enthusiasm for life has not waned. This wonderful attitude to adversity is a beacon to us all. Those who know him will remember him as a raconteur and bon viveur. We wish him many more years of the good life. Doctoring and healthcare has changed beyond recognition since we started all those years ago. He belongs to the ever decreasing number of doctors who worked to embody the spirit of Hippocrates. Meanwhile let us raise a glass of the best Champagne to a friend and a gentleman.

Memories are made of this- Please click on the web-link below:- 



https://youtu.be/zg2OdnpMWpg