This blog is allocated for news and reecollections about the 1960 Colombo Medical Faculty Entrants. If you are in the batch please send your articles re the batch to the following email address ;- 1960batch@gmail.com. Please click on 'OLDER POSTS' at the end of each web-page. Please type your search queries in the box provided and press 'search'.
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Friday, November 27, 2020
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Monday, November 23, 2020
Friday, November 20, 2020
Buddy's Birthday bash
Ayesha Ratnayake wrote:
Dear all,
A kind reminder on Buddy's Block Buddies Birthday Bash this 4th November!
Buddy's Birthday Bash.png
Please click the below link at UK 10.30am / Spain 11.30am / SL 3.00pm / Aus 8.30pm on Wednesday 4th November 2020 to join via Zoom:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73753764604?pwd=c0RWN0RTMnRxVkMvZGk1S2lDbUt6UT09
These details may also be requested if you're attending using a mobile phone:
Meeting ID: 737 5376 4604
Passcode: hr1G5e
Please note, the online event will automatically end in 40 minutes due to Zoom's rules - but there are no limits on the memories you make!
Have a great time!
Warmly,
Ayesha (Proud Niece of Nalini Rodrigo and Official Zoom Party Facilitator)
Virus-free. www.avast.com
Buddy's Birthday bash
daya & nalini rodrigo
AttachmentsThu, Nov 19, 8:44 AM (21 hours ago)
to me
OUR PHONE WHATSAPP IS. 0713266320
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Ayesha Ratnayake
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2020 at 15:56
Subject: Re: Batch Buddies
To: Siobhan , Perera Travis , Ramani ..... , , , , , Rajakariar Osmund , Arumugam Thavarasah , M Sadiq , , , Sujiva Ratnaike , Aru Wijay , Asoka Sujaee Tinto , G U De Silva , kamalini arul , luckyhb14 , Soma Herath , lawrence Ratnam , Piyaseeli Wedisinghe , Piyaseeli Wedisinghe , Udula Pathirana , Arjuna Ponnambalam , , ,
Cc: Buddy Reid , daya & nalini rodrigo
Dear all,
Thank you for attending "Buddy's Block Buddies Birthday Bash"! Terribly sorry about the timing mixup for those in the UK - will triple check the timings before the next birthday bash.
Here are some photos from the occasion, and a recording of a witty and wonderful composition by the brilliant birthday boy about his "Lovely Bunch of Doctor Friends"!
PLEASE WATCH IN "FULL SCREEN'
Buddy's Birthday Bash 1
Buddy's Birthday Bash 2
Buddy's Birthday Bash 3.png
As the birthday boy mentioned, please let us know when each of your birthdays are so we can arrange more celebrations like this one.
Warmly,
Ayesha
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Memories of the late Sivaraja
Philip Veersingam
Mar 14, 2019, 8:05 AM
to Rasiah
Hello Ganesh,
Glad to hear from you. My first encounter with Sivaraja was a few days into starting our second MB. My dissecting partner of the upper limb Vasanthanathan invited me to visit him at his boarding in Cotta road. I went there after work still reeking of the post-dissection formalin. Vasanthanathans bicycle with the attached cane basket in front, was parked outside with two more bikes. Entering via a narrow corridor I went into a smallish room where three beds and a table were squeezed in. All three inmates, Sivaraja, Sankaranarayana and Vasanthanathan were seated inside and welcomed me. There was a picture of Lord Ganesha on the rear of the table propped upright. Sankaranarayana asked me 'Would you like a drink? I following the courtesies of Jaffna politely refused expecting a second offer for tea or a softt drink. Sankkaranarayana, pulled out a glass and a bottle of half empty arrack from behind the framed picture of Lord Ganesha and offered it to me. Brought up in the puriitannical upbringing of Hartley College was astounded and refused it.....
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Five regrets people make on their deathbed.
Email forwarded by Sivaraja.
For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives. People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality.
I learnt never to underestimate someone’s capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, as expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed though, every one of them.
When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five:
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.
It is very important to try and honour at least some of your dreams along the way. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it.
2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.
By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.
We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying.
It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It is all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and relationships.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called ‘comfort’ of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again. When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before .........
Posted by Philip Veerasingam at 4:32 PM
I am attaching a photo of our second MB trip to the Peradeniya gardens where you may be able to identify Sivaraja. Otherphotos on Public Health trips and in one of our get-togethers
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Sunday, November 15, 2020
Monday, November 9, 2020
ZOOM meeting on Buddy's Birthday bash
Batch Buddies
Inbox
daya & nalini rodrigo
Nov 1, 2020, 8:30 PM (8 days ago)
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Ayesha Ratnayake Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2020 at 18:57 Subject: Re: Batch Buddies To: Siobh
daya & nalini rodrigo
6:18 AM (13 minutes ago)
to me
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Asoka Tinto
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2020 at 15:01
Subject: Re: Batch Buddies
To: Sujiva Ratnaike
Cc: daya & nalini rodrigo
Dear Suji,
Thank you for understanding . Sorry to have missed you all, though I did manage to speak with Lawrence, Chandran P and Makuls and Sugi.
It was good.
Thank you for your good wishes to Spain . We need it.
Love
Sujaee
Sent from my iPad
On 5 nov 2020, at 2:29, Sujiva Ratnaike wrote:
> Dear Sujaee
> Wondered why you weren’t there. The time zones are difficult to negotiate and having summer time doesn’t help.
> Next is yours. Our restrictions are being eased now after 3 months ! We have had no cases deaths in Victoria for 6 days !
> Stay Well and I wish “ Sabba rogo vinassatu” to Spain.
> Love
> Suji
>
>
>> On 4 Nov 2020, at 10:07 pm, Asoka Tinto wrote:
>>
>> Dear Nala,
>>
>> Sorry just seen this. I joined at the allotted time 11.30am, spoke with Lawrence, Chandran Ponnambalam and Sugi and Makuls. They said the meeting was over and they had mistaken the time.
>> Sorry to have missed it. Wish Buddy a Very Happy Birthday and many more with best of health, that wish is for all.
>> Love
>>
>> Sujaee
>>
>> Get Outlook for Android
>>
>> From: Ayesha Ratnayake
>> Sent: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 11:26:15 AM
>> To: Siobhan ; Perera Travis ; Ramani ..... ; dgjaya@hotmail.com ; cwgun46@bigpond.net.au ; rudihooledoc@gmail.com ; frevics@bigpond.com ; Rajakariar Osmund ; Arumugam Thavarasah ; M Sadiq ; lswije@bigpond.com ; apreena@bigpond.net.au ; Sujiva Ratnaike ; Aru Wijay ; Asoka Sujaee Tinto ; G U De Silva ; kamalini arul ; luckyhb14 ; Soma Herath ; lawrence Ratnam ; Piyaseeli Wedisinghe ; Piyaseeli Wedisinghe ; Udula Pathirana ; Arjuna Ponnambalam ; apreena@dodo.com.au ; farouk.sikkander@gmail.com ; pearl.hettiaratchy11@gmail.com
>> Cc: Buddy Reid ; daya & nalini rodrigo
>> Subject: Re: Batch Buddies
>>
>> Dear all,
>>
>> Thank you for attending "Buddy's Block Buddies Birthday Bash"! Terribly sorry about the timing mixup for those in the UK - will triple check the timings before the next birthday bash.
>>
>> Here are some photos from the occasion, and a recording of a witty and wonderful composition by the brilliant birthday boy about his "Lovely Bunch of Doctor Friends"!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> As the birthday boy mentioned, please let us know when each of your birthdays are so we can arrange more celebrations like this one.
>>
>> Warmly,
>> Ayesha
Monday, November 2, 2020
Nihal Gooneratne - 'Let it be',
Nihal Gooneratne
Nov 1, 2020, 7:44 PM (10 hours ago)
to Nihal
The story behind Paul McCartney's LET IT BE! In his own words:
I was going through a really difficult time around the autumn of 1968. It was late in the Beatles’ career and we had begun making a new album, a follow-up to the “White Album.” As a group we were starting to have problems. I think I was sensing the Beatles were breaking up, so I was staying up late at night, drinking, doing drugs, clubbing, the way a lot of people were at the time. I was really living and playing hard.
The other guys were all living out in the country with their partners, but I was still a bachelor in London with my own house in St. John’s Wood. And that was kind of at the back of my mind also, that maybe it was about time I found someone, because it was before I got together with Linda.
So, I was exhausted! Some nights I’d go to bed and my head would just flop on the pillow; and when I’d wake up I’d have difficulty pulling it off, thinking, “Good job I woke up just then or I might have suffocated.”
Then one night, somewhere between deep sleep and insomnia, I had the most comforting dream about my mother, who died when I was only 14. She had been a nurse, my mum, and very hardworking, because she wanted the best for us. We weren’t a well-off family- we didn’t have a car, we just about had a television – so both of my parents went out to work, and Mum contributed a good half to the family income. At night when she came home, she would cook, so we didn’t have a lot of time with each other. But she was just a very comforting presence in my life. And when she died, one of the difficulties I had, as the years went by, was that I couldn’t recall her face so easily. That’s how it is for everyone, I think. As each day goes by, you just can’t bring their face into your mind, you have to use photographs and reminders like that.
So in this dream twelve years later, my mother appeared, and there was her face, completely clear, particularly her eyes, and she said to me very gently, very reassuringly: “Let it be.”
It was lovely. I woke up with a great feeling. It was really like she had visited me at this very difficult point in my life and gave me this message: Be gentle, don’t fight things, just try and go with the flow and it will all work out.
So, being a musician, I went right over to the piano and started writing a song: “When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me”… Mary was my mother’s name… “Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.” There will be an answer, let it be.” It didn’t take long. I wrote the main body of it in one go, and then the subsequent verses developed from there: “When all the broken-hearted people living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.”
I thought it was special, so I played it to the guys and ’round a lot of people, and later it also became the title of the album, because it had so much value to me, and because it just seemed definitive, those three little syllables. Plus, when something happens like that, as if by magic, I think it has a resonance that other people notice too.
Not very long after the dream, I got together with Linda, which was the saving of me. And it was as if my mum had sent her, you could say.
The song is also one of the first things Linda and I ever did together musically. We went over to Abbey Road Studios one day, where the recording sessions were in place. I lived nearby and often used to just drop in when I knew an engineer would be there and do little bits on my own. And I just thought, “Oh it would be good to try harmony in mind, and although Linda wasn’t a professional singer, I’d heard her sing around the house, and knew she could hold a note and sing that high.
So she tried it, and it worked and it stayed on the record. You can hear it to this day.
These days, the song has become almost like a hymn. We sang it at Linda’s memorial service. And after September 11 the radio played it a lot, which made it the obvious choice for me to sing when I did the benefit concert in New York City. Even before September 11th, people used to lean out of cars and trucks and say, “Yo, Paul, let it be.”
So those words are really very special to me, because not only did my mum come to me in a dream and reassure me with them at a very difficult time in my life – and sure enough, things did get better after that – but also, in putting them into a song, and recording it with the Beatles, it became a comforting, healing statement for other people too.
– Paul McCartney
Sunday, November 1, 2020
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