Ceylon, Sri Lanka, Arthur C Clarke

"The island of Ceylon is a small universe; it contains as many variations of culture, scenery, and climate as some countries a dozen times its size. What you get from it depends on what you bring; if you never stray from your hotel bar or the dusty streets of westernized Colombo, you could perish of fulminating boredom in a week, and it would serve you right. But if you are interested in people, history, nature, and art - the things that really matter - you may find, as I have, that a lifetime is not enough."
  Sir Arthur C. Clarke

Sentimental journey

A melody played ad nauseum in the male common room next to the canteen, from an LP record. The rendition in the common room was played on a Hammond organ by Ken Griffin. This version is by Billy Vaughn. Hope you can recall the melody of the early 1960s'.

Please click on the web-links below with your speakers on:-

1. https://youtu.be/IXbWPzpn1Bg?t=13

2. https://youtu.be/7WPzNxyf8YE

Inside the concrete shell of the Kothmale - Mahaweli - Stupa 2002

Sarath Kapuwaththe, wife and children

Present status of the Stupa

CoMSAA get together 2012

Dr.Samarasiri, Dr.Ariyasinghhe, Dr.Wedisinghe,Dr. Nannayakkara, Dr.Colvin, Dr.Piyaseeli, Dr.Chandra

Dr. Philip the cameraman included in the picture

Dr.de Silva, Dr.de Silva,  Dr.Almeida,

Dr. Ranjith Abeywickrema

Dr.Samarasiri

Dr. Wijemanne, Prof Balasuriya

Dr.Wijemanne, Prof.Balasuriya, Prof. Sherifdeen, Dr.Philip Veerasingam

Dr.Samarasiri and Dr.Nanayakkara

The Late Dr.Dennis Aloysius

Prof Sherifdeen, Dr. BJC Perera, .. Dr."Bongo' Rajendra

Dr. D.C.Denaratne, Psychiatrist, Perth, Australia,

A photo I received from my friend 'Sena' in the  year 2000, which I touched up to look like a real 'Aussie'. I remember 'Sena' a constant visitor at 'Bloem' riding a smart bike, which he had spray-painted purplish-pink. He had a supply of cigarettes from Moscow, which his cousin Vajira of the Chitrasena Dance Ensemble, had given him, after the ensembles's visit to that socialist country, in the early 1960's. Many a time had we done a leisurely walk to Galle Face Green and back, from 'Bloem'. Many  were the films we  went to see and enjoy and the school-fairs we attended
Remembering the sweet old days gives a new energy to life.

Dr. Wignaraja - The Engine driver, Kadugannawa, Sri Lanka, 2015.

Re-living a boyhood dream

Assuming duties as DMO Koslanda, May 1966.

Dr. Philip G Veerasingam recalls
It was in the year 1966 in the month of May, that I got off the night train from Colombo to Badulla, at the Haputhale railway station. This was around 4 am. The morning mist was covering the area and myself and my younger brother Daniel, took refuge in the Rest House near the Railway station and enjoyed a morning cup of tea. A car, a black Peugot 203, was available for hire to go to Koslanda, where I was to assume duties as the District Medical Officer. Coming through the Haputhale Gap where intermittent gusts of wind were buffeting the car, we came down the winding fog bound road to Beragala. Turning left we proceeded to Koslanda , a sleepy town early in the morning. I met the First Apothecary, who gave us a cup of tea and took me at an auspicious time, to the DMO's bungalow and handed me the keys to it. He showed me the garage attached to the bungalow, which had been the horse's stable in earlier years, for the designated Provincial Surgeon. A wonderful, enjoyable one year followed as a DMO in Koslanda

The Out Patients Department

The Maternity Unit and Female wards