Memory of dear departed colleagues

There’s a Road ……

In memory of our beloved

Colleagues who are no more

1. S.R. (Sunil) de Silva

2. A.R.K. (Russel) Paul

3. Dawne de Silva Paul

4. Bernard Randeniya

5. Niriella Chandrasiri

6. V. Ganeson

7. L.G.D.K. (Irwin) Herath

8. V.Kunasingham

9. B.L. Perera

10. B. Somasunderam

11. K.Sunderampillai

12. Tudor Wickramarachchi

13. K.N. (Kiththa) Wimalaratne

14. Anna Ponnambalam Sathiagnanan

15. A. Satchitananda

16. N. Sivakumar

17. T.A. Dayaratne

18. Sidath Jayanetti

19. N. Balakumar

20. Kamali Nimalasuriya de Silva

21. K. Sri Kantha

22. P. Lucien Perera

23. Priya (Gunaratna) de Silva

24. Arul (Sivaguru) Balasubramaniam

25. W. Punsiri Fernando

26. W. Rajasooriyar

27. M.P.C. Jaimon

28. S. Vedavanam

29. Farouk Mohamed

There’s a road that’s made of memories

Starting from our med school days

Each colleague left us souvenirs

As we happily went our ways

Our hope was that, of everyone

Having a rich and fruitful life

Work to be mixed with a bit of fun

Not much in the way of strife

Then, news of loss of the very first life

We thought they were playing the fool

‘He died with his kids and wife!’

Next, ‘who could just drown in a pool’?

More losses unexpected

By heart attack and accident

Each sad news left hearts dented

Were they an unfortunate precedent?

Lucian rang me out of the blue

I am in the UK and very soon

I’ll visit you! Yes, it’s true!

Next there’s an accident and doom!

Bala was in real high spirit

Get post-grad exams fast he can

He will top the list of merit

And bring pride, to his great clan

He too met his death too early

Then followed by Bernard and Dawn,

Hearts broken we cried dearly

They had just reached, life’s first morn

How ‘bout BL I met at a meeting

Anna would come if we could take her

Arul was sorry but sent a greeting

Then they went to meet their maker!

We spent time with such great mates

What can be, the best five years

Suddenly they go through Pearly Gates

Leaving us, in real sad tears         

Siva, Satch, Sidath, Irwin

Leaving too early, were our fears

Didn’t you know we’d be grieving?

Crying till there’s no more tears?

Priya, Kamali Arul, you gave a shock

To us all, you’re such close friends

Sri Kantha, Bala you were our rock

Never thought your time here ends

Tho’ each name not get a mention

Your faces are truly carved in stone

You are in a ‘period of detention’

We’ll be with you, you’re not alone.

Zita Perera Subasinghe (the poem) and Mahendra Gonsalkorale (the rest!)

Feb 2017