Chandana and Suranganie Fernando celebrate 50 years of Marriage in March 2018

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

MY THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - how survival of the fittest is misunderstood. It is my belief that morality is an evolved characteristic. Animals who roamed the Planet on their own without caring for other animals had a lesser chance of survival. Or conversely, those who grouped together and supported each other increased their chances of survival. Cooperation, supportive behaviour, bonding, sharing and such beneficial characteristics enabled a species to survive. Survival of the fittest as stated in the Theory of Evolution is one of the most misunderstood, misquoted theories. Those who misunderstand say that it promotes selfishness. I say it is quite the contrary. Based on this ongoing beneficial behaviour pattern, Man has succeeded but as you would expect, not every individual man will display this characteristic but as a group, as a tribe, this moral behaviour has made us advance. It is still survival of the fittest, and the best way to survive is through cooperation. The "fit" know that to be "selfish" is counterproductive

Mahendra's Musings - Part 7. Thoughts on "Destiny"

Thoughts on Destiny

The Oxford Dictionary defines destiny as “The events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future”.

This implies that the future is mapped out and is just waiting to happen. “It will necessarily happen also imply that we have no control over the event that is “destined” to happen. We can look at this in different ways. Is this true? Is it an established fact? If it is indeed true, does it make ambition, effort, diligence, dedication all meaningless? The answer from a person who believes in destiny probably would be that it is already your destiny that you would indeed apply those attributes! It appears a “no-win, not-lose” argument. In other words, destiny is something that you recognise only after it happens.  Unless a claim is made that destiny can be accurately predicted. The claim can be made before it occurs and tested for accuracy. I would feel that this sort of speculation is unhelpful.

Looking at “destiny” more seriously, it seems improbable that a “play” can be enacted on such a vast stage (just confining myself to Planet Earth) involving billions of people, not to mention animals, plants and other “things” and occurrences.

So where do I stand as regards Destiny?

I don’t believe that the World and all its players are programmed beforehand and that the future is just a continuation of the video-tape currently playing that has already been made.

Although it is not possible to bring in other belief systems such as Religion and God, rebirth and karma, “designed universe” and others who claim the future can be foretold such as astrologers, those possessed by spirits etc, let us leave them aside and look at Destiny from a purely scientific approach.

The first thing to state is that Science cannot support destiny as defined above. But if the meaning of destiny is broadened to include the prediction of possible events that may occur in the future, then indeed it is possible to talk about possibilities and probabilities, which of course is wholly different from the belief that the future is already determined.

If we take an individual and speculate on his/her future, these are some of the factors which may help in predicting some of his/her life events in the future.

1.      His genes.(His= his/her)

2.      The environment in which he was nurtured.

3.      His education.

4.      His immediate social circle.

5.      His personality

6.      His hobbies and past times.

7.      His likes and dislikes, diet, lifestyle

8.      His physical and ethnic characteristics

9.      His beliefs

10.   His health status.

11.   The country in which he is resident.

You can see that there are whole host of factors that will influence his future but in no way can we map out exactly what would happen to him as he goes on living.

Examples of predictions

A heavy smoker is likely to develop lung cancer.

A child growing up in an inner-city environment is more likely to be involved in crime.

A child born in a poor African state is less likely to achieve adulthood.

A careless motorist is more likely to be involved in an accident.

A more complex prediction like life expectancy can be made by combining all above factors but it always remains a prediction governed by probability and is never absolute.

I think you get the gist.

In answer to the question, ”What is your destiny?” answers can be only given with varying degrees of accuracy according to probability. Even where the predictive accuracy is high, it is not certain. For example, if you are a male carrying the Huntington gene, you are 100% sure of developing the disease but you may not live long enough to get it and how long you live is unknowable.

The only practical way to look at Destiny is in a broad sense as what the future may hold for you, and to take action in the present time which will either have a high probability of achieving a good outcome or lower the probability of reaching a bad one.,

As a student be diligent and apply yourself to your studies.

As an adult, manage your finances properly; be insured, have some savings etc.

For all humans, the advice is to live a healthy lifestyle.

And any more common sense ways of applying what we know about prevention in all aspects of your life.

If one brings Religion into this discussion, other aspects of how to lead your life in order to achieve a satisfactory outcome will arise. There are common elements, but widely differing ones too.

To believe that everything is destined to happen and you have no control whatsoever would surely make life very uncertain, almost paradoxically, and make you unhappy, fearful and probably devoid of satisfaction, whereas belief in no such thing as destiny is likely to make your life more meaningful and also give you a sense of having some control over your life.

Before I leave the subject, I must refer to the closely allied concept of Determinism. It is defined as “the doctrine that all events, including human action, are ultimately determined by causes regarded as external to the will. Some philosophers have taken determinism to imply that individual human beings have no free will and cannot be held morally responsible for their actions.”

To me, it follows that if you believe in determinism, you would accept destiny. Determinism takes control out of you and it accepts external causes outside our control as what determines outcomes. Yet determinism is not the same as causality, i.e., every action (cause) is followed by a predictable outcome (reaction). Determinism is a belief in the inevitability of causation. Everything that happens is the only possible thing that could happen. The chains and networks of causes are so powerful and inexorable that every outcome is inevitable. That is determinism.

How about fatalism? Very close to determinism but not the same. If you believe in determinism, you believe that your whole life follows a set path because every action results in a certain outcome and life is such a series of events which you have no control over. The fatalist is in agreement with the determinist in that both agree that the ultimate result or end or “fate” is the same, but the fatalist believes that we can take different paths but the ultimate result, is our destiny. In other words, they agree that the final destiny is the same, but the path could be different. The fatalist is concerned with the ultimate end which cannot be changed, e.eg, you will die at the age of 50 and that is fixed, whatever you do, whereas the determinist will map out in more detail exactly how you will die at the age of 50.

Fatalism usually implies the acceptance of a Supreme Power or God or Gods, who ultimately decide our fate. We cannot go against his (their) wishes however much we try, whereas determinism, although still compatible with a belief in god in one sense, does not necessarily imply acceptance of a god. People, who saw that the natural world seemed to operate according to fixed laws, noted that people were part of this natural world, and therefore proposed that people--including the inner workings of our minds, desires, "choices", and so on--also operated according to fixed laws.  A strict determinist does not believe in true choice whereas a Fatalist believes he has choices but whatever choice he makes, the ultimate outcome is out of his control and decided by God(s).

The Reader is left with the choice of examining the arguments and deciding for himself/herself which would be the most fruitful approach to a better life. The eternal problem, however, is to overcome limitations brought about by being locked into a belief system which acts as that “person inside your head” who keeps telling you that “what matters is not what you like to believe by logical argument. What matters is the TRUTH! And I am telling you what it is”!.

Mahendra

08/02/2018

What does it really mean to accept Buddhism? Mahendra's Musings Part 6

What does it really mean to accept Buddhism?

I was tempted to embark on this monologue after a discussion I had with a much respected and valued colleague a few days ago. It arose after I made a statement that you have to practise meditation if you call yourself a Buddhist. He hotly contested this and stated that nowhere in the Buddhist text is this so stated. He did not accept the arguments I put forward and I now wish to “state my case” on my Blog so that I could share my ideas with friends and colleagues.

In my view, what the Buddha taught was a solution to a problem which he recognised as Universal. This is big, he is talking about ultimate Truths and not just a recipe for a happier life. When he stated what is known as the Four Noble Truths, it was a solution which he developed purely through introspection and reflection. This is very different from traditional evidence-based theories which could be verified through experiment. Buddhism is very experiential and cognitive.

The first noble truth is that there is Dukkha (loosely translated as suffering, or more appropriately unsatisfactoriness) in this World and this is the main reason why we can never experience lasting and permanent happiness in this World. If this is not accepted as true, there is absolutely no point in going further into the doctrine unless it is just from curiosity or as an intellectual exercise. It is not my intention to speak for the proposition and outline the case for Dukkha. 

If the first truth is accepted even provisionally (“tell me more, I am interested”), then the second and third truths follow naturally. The second being the truth on the origin of dukkha and the third being that it is possible to end suffering. The Final or fourth truth is the Truth of how to stop suffering, which is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path (itself  in three parts of 2,3 and 3 items for each part).(Wisdom  or Panna, Virtue or Sila and Concentration or Samadhi)

If the four truths are accepted as a reasonable working hypothesis, then the scientific materialists will ask the natural question, “what is the evidence that this is true?”. The first 3 truths could appeal conceptually to a lot of people by just applying to their own life events and concluding that it seems a reasonable hypothesis. The whole approach is very familiar to me as a Doctor as this is exactly what  I would do with a patient.That is, look at the symptoms, determine the causes after reaching a diagnosis and then prescribe the medicine.

A lot of questions will arise even at this stage. What is happiness? Who am I and are we discussing my future happiness or my current happiness or both? Does this teaching require the acceptance that death is not the end and that there is something beyond? If one accepts that death is not the end, then what are we referring to as a continuation in some form after death? Are we composed of a physical body and soul and is it being said that the soul soldiers on from one body to another? How is this compatible when Buddhism apparently also states that there is no permanent unchanging immutable soul?  Are the rewards of a Buddhist life directed to an afterlife or can results be experienced in this life?  Again, this is not the place to expand on these very important questions.

 A person who studies Buddhism in depth and wishes to decide on whether the message as stated by the 4 Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold path is the way forwards can follow several lines of thinking.

     (1)  He does not see any merit in the Buddhist theory and discards it.

(2)    He accepts that it is true and accepts that the truth is not open to traditional scientific methods of verification. He seeks no further clarification and follows the Path or some elements of the Path (He refers to He/She).

(3)    He accepts that it is true and accepts that the truth is not open to traditional scientific methods of verification but also accepts that reflective introspection and concentrated inward thinking could sharpen his mind giving him the ability to self-realise what the truth is. This is a big step away from how we usually acquire knowledge and formulate theories. The Western approach is looking out of ourselves and the idea that we have a mind with inherent powers to “see” things and understand what happens around us and “awaken” is new, although not totally, as some of the great scientific thinkers such as Einstein probably could have experienced it. Debatable? Yes of course. It is indeed a Mind-body-brain problem. At this stage, it is just a faith that such practice will enable him to see the truth, and he is willing to train his mind and to see for himself whether this happens. He accepts on faith that he has the potential. He looks at it like somebody who is told that in order to see the stars, he needs a telescope and provided he puts in the required effort, he can acquire it and then see the stars. No amount of reading and “education” will give him that telescope.

(4)    He accepts that it is true and accepts that the truth is not open to traditional scientific methods of verification but also accepts that reflective introspection and concentrated inward thinking could sharpen his mind giving him the ability to self-realise what the truth is. At this stage, it is just a faith that such a practice will enable him to see the truth, and he is willing to train his mind and to see for himself whether this happens. He accepts on faith that he has the potential. He looks at it like somebody who is told that in order to see the stars, he needs a telescope and provided he puts in the required effort, he can acquire it and then see the stars. No amount of reading and “education” will give him that telescope. But unlike the previous example, he also understands that the deep understanding and awakening he is seeking cannot occur by meditation or “Bhavana” (more appropriate than meditation which is now loosely used to describe any kind of mental concentration exercise), alone. The 6th 7th  and 8th steps in the Path cover the aspect of Meditation but it is important to understand that the 8 steps in the Path are not sequential. They are intertwined and interconnected. The spiritual awakening promised by following the Path can occur only if all aspects are covered. One who has virtue and wisdom must also have Concentration; sila, samadhi are essential for the practice of panna). Unless this happens, although meditation will achieve mental states and understanding of different levels, which are “supernatural”, true awakening or enlightenment cannot occur. The person who meditates regularly and intensely, may experience glimpses of the Path but will after a variable length of time, come back to base but for the Enlightened one, it is a Path of no return, and what it is like to be in that state and “who “experiences it are beyond our human capacity to comprehend. But it is my understanding that the post enlightened state is not tantamount to "nothing". It is not nihilistic.

Now I come back to my theme. If you truly accept that Buddhism explains our existence and how unsatisfactory it is although there are temporary highs, and that death is not the end, and that there is permanent salvation by following the Noble Eightfold Path, then it is incumbent on you to follow it. If you truly believe in the Medicine that will cure you, isn’t it folly not to take it? Adherence to the Path and indulging in Mental training including meditative practices (6^th 7^th  and 8^th steps chiefly) because you have accepted that you have the innate capability to attain Enlightenment and escape forever from this existence (samsara) is what you would do if you truly accept the Buddhist solution. I call such a person a Type A Buddhist follower.

But there are other options.

You could accept the Buddhist solution purely through Faith, and not through self-realisation as above. You could adopt a more leisurely journey and have smaller expectations such as just a happier life in this existence, being better armed to deal with the inevitable problems and misfortunes that surely lie waiting and in the next birth, hope for a decent one in a good family. You will, therefore, lead a life adhering to the 5 precepts, the odd retreat and meditation session and basically a “good” moral life. Within you, you may even harbour the thought that “maybe in my next birth, I will be ready to tread the Path more assiduously”. This is a perfectly understandable attitude but not the one adopted by a person who really wants to achieve enlightenment and end this samsaric existence. I call this type of person a Type B follower

Ultimately, the problem I posed at the beginning and debated with my friend may be down to semantics. You may argue that both Type A and Type B are practising Buddhists and while Type B does not practise Meditative practices, he is still following Buddhist principles. My contention is that you don’t even need to be a Buddhist if your expectations are limited and you are not actively seeking enlightenment, which the Buddha says, is possible to attain in this existence.

I  am reminded of a sermon I heard recently at the Buddhist Vihara in Manchester. The venerable priest posed the question, "as a Buddhist, what should be your aim?". His answer was "Nirvana".

Mahendra

29^th January 2018.

Manchester. UK

Speedy Virtual Suri

 Speedy Virtual Interview Series - Episode 4

November 2017

Dr Suriyakanthie Amarasekera

Consultant Anaesthesiologist. Colombo, Sri Lanka

It gives me great pleasure to do the fourth Speedy interview. The last three interviews in order were Cyril Ernest, Zita Subasinghe Perera and Lucky Abeyagunawardena, all of whom have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers. My fourth subject is the charming and accomplished Suriyakanthie Amarasekera.

Speedy: Good morning Suri. Is it alright to call you Suri rather than Suriyakanthie?

Suri: Good morning Speedy. Of course it is fine to be addressed as Suri. In fact that is what I prefer to be called. “Suriyakanthie” is rather a mouthful!

Speedy: Well, that’s a good start! Suri let me commence by asking you to say a few words about you parents and family.

Suri: My parents were both teachers  In fact those of you who are Thomians probably would have been taught by my mother as she was on the tutorial staff at STC Mt Lavinia for over 20 years. I am the 3^rd in a family of 5 having an aiya, akka, malli, and nangi.

Speedy: It is quite clear that you grew up in a very supportive family environment. Could I ask you whether your choice to pursue a career in Medicine was influenced by them?

Suri: No not at all. In fact I wanted to be a teacher like my parents. When I was told that I had been selected to the science stream I was upset and I asked my Grade 8 Class Teacher Ms Wimala Jayasekera whether I couldn’t continue to be in the Arts stream. She was very surprised and asked me why I didn’t want to do science as I was good in the subject. When I replied that I want to be a teacher like my parents, she said “so you can be a science teacher” The rest just followed.

Speedy: I am sure Readers would like to know something about your school days. I know that you are an Old girl of Methodist College. May be you have a few amusing anecdotes which you can share with us.

Suri:  Can you remember how we used to carry our school books in rectangular suit cases in those days? One day some of my friends got the bright idea of stacking them one on top of the other as high as we could reach and then pull out the bottom one! Everything tumbled down with a resounding crash while we screamed with laughter! After a repeating this a couple of times we got another crazy idea of pushing hard on the desks in the back row ( the hall had been arranged with desks and chairs in rows for the end of term test ) so that it hits the desk and chair in front and knocks it down causing a domino effect. We were making a big din and laughing when we suddenly spotted the tall figure of our very strict English Principal Miss Grace Robbins watching us from the doorway with stern disapproval, shocked at our un lady like behaviour. Not only were we punished being given detention and “Lines” we were told that we were not eligible to be considered for the coveted Gladys Loos Prize for Good Conduct!   

     

Suri: There is another memory I like to talk about, if I may.

Speedy: Of course Suri. Please go ahead.

Suri: Thanks Speedy. Our School had bi annual fund raising Fairs. There were two during my time .They were called One Thousand and One Nights, and Thousand and Two Delights. I remember that our class was in charge of the Pet Stall one year. We were at a loss to find a name for our stall. Carol Aloysius (who is now a well-known Journalist) who was a class mate came up with the suggestion “Shoori’s Pet Stall making my name sound Arabian ! Unfortunately after one day our teacher in charge thought “ Pashas’s Pet Stall” was more appropriate.

Speedy: Well, you did extremely well in Your A levels and was selected for Medicine at your first attempt and entered the Colombo Medical Faculty before your 18^th birthday. In fact, you were the youngest in our Batch and it so happens by a curious coincidence that the person doing your interview was the second youngest and the youngest among boys!

Suri:  Actually Speedy I had got through my O levels in 1958 at the age of 14 and I was in the A Level 2^nd Year Class in 1960. My application to sit for the A Level Exam in December 1960 was rejected by the University as the University regulations stipulated that you have to be 17 by the 1^st of June the following year. (My birthday is on the 4^th of July and I would have been only 16 years and 11 months on the 1^st of June 1961) So I had to mark time for one year and sit for the exam in December 1961. Believe me I was very upset.

Speedy: That is remarkable! Then what happened?

Suri: Well, my father knew Prof Hoover (remember him our Bio Chemistry Prof?) and asked him if any concession could be made and could I be given permission to sit for the A Levels in December 1960? I still have the letter he wrote saying it cannot be allowed and that I am far too immature to face the stresses of University life! I fail to understand how he could come to that conclusion never having met me! Thank God I secured a direct entry to Medical School in the I1961 December Exam.

Speedy: OK you entered a bit later than you would have liked but you were still very young when you entered the Medical Faculty. Can you recall your emotions at the time? Were you anxious or scared in any way?

Suri: No not at all, I thought it very exciting. I found the subjects, particularly physiology, fascinating. Having boys as fellow students was of course a new experience. Remember I entered from Methodist College (nick named Methodist Convent) and we were described as being like Perera and Son’s bread!! untouched by human hands!

Speedy: Ha! Ha! I haven’t heard that before.

Suri: What? You must have Speedy!

Speedy: No, that is the truth, never heard that before! Fascinating! Let’s us now hear about your experience in the Faculty years, may be something about your Teachers, your colleagues. I am sure that would interest our Readers.

Suri: The most traumatic experience was of course the cadaver dissections. I remember sitting and staring at the cadaver with my body partner Zita reluctant to touch it till an anatomy demonstrator I think it was Dr L A G Jayasekera screamed at us to get started. I also remember quite vividly the 3rd Abdo Signature by Prof S S Panditharatne that went on and on with seniors crowding round us making us even jitterier, and Dr Panditharatne taking a break to have a smoke while waited nervously.

Physiology was fascinating though some of Prof Koch’s lectures went way above our heads. I clearly remember how Prof Carlo Fonseka began his lecture on Gastroenterology with a poem

“You can do without Sleep what is sleep but reclining,

You can do without Books what are books for but learning,

You can do without Love for what is love but pining,

But show me a man who can do without Dining!

Then there was the unforgettable “Path Cooray” who made us sit according to the merit list at the 2^nd MBBS (and not alphabetical order) He had this daunting habit of pointing to you during lectures and asking questions. I got quite fed up sitting under his nose as Number4 and was often pulled up for chatting to number 3, Swyrie. Then in contrast there was Prof H V J Fernando our Forensic Prof who segregated the sexes during lectures for some reason best known to him.

Speedy: What about Clinical teachers?

Suri: As you well know Speedy, we had some amazing clinical teachers.  I remember Dr O R Medonza who would imitate sounds of Heart murmurs in a way you never forget  Lub Tushh… Lub Tushh  ( Aortic Incompetence ) rrrph dub….. rrrph dub ( Mitral Stenosis). 

We were lucky to have teachers like Dr George Ratnavale. I remember how he made Kunasingham walk with a stiff knee and then ask him to walk with a stiff knee and and a foot drop … demonstrating the circumduction of a hemiplegic walk.

How can we forget our beloved Dean “Patchaya”, and his unique lectures “Takarang roofs are hot in sunny weather, noisy in rainy weather”, “scoring a bull’s eye while using a squatting plate ! !.”

We had Surgeons who were legendary. Charming Dr P R Anthonis with his “I shay mish……..”.  I had the privilege of anaesthetising for his operation lists while being a junior anaesthetist. He was unfailingly courteous always letting you know when he had to deviate from the planned procedure and actually asking if it’s OK to take longer!  Dr Noel Batholameuz, a striking figure with a fresh orchid in his button hole every day. I remember taking up a dare to ask him the name of the Orchid one day. After an initial glare at me for being so cheeky, he realised it was a dare and was amused. Dr Misso with whom we did our first surgical appointment was so kind and had a good sense of humour. I remember when I scrubbed for him for the first time in Operating Theatre D, I was so shy that I stood as far away from him as I possibly could. He started whistling a tune. When I did not react he asked “do you recognize the tune?” When I said “Yes Sir, it’s come closer to me”. So why don’t you do it, he quipped!

Speedy: That was most interesting and entertaining. What about your Batch mates?

Suri: Talking of batch mates, our one and only Patas had one goal …. To get all the shy girls to dance! I remember him steering me across the dance floor in King George’s Hall muttering “back side together side, forward side together side!” under his breath. J C was the one who taught us the Cha Cha, and Lareef his own variation the “Off Beat Cha Cha”. I could go on!

Speedy: Anything else we need to talk about as part of your student experience?

Suri: Thanks for giving me this opportunity Speedy. My experiences as a medical student would not be complete without some mention 0f the Student’s Christian Movement. We had a lot of fun - SCM Picnics, Fund Raiser Concerts, going carolling , parties, and Carol Services at Christmas. Patrick Fernando, who was in our senior batch and sadly no more, would play “Christians awake salute the happy morn” on his trumpet to wake up the people we used to visit in the early hours of the morning. We were treated very well by all, particularly some of our teachers who would offer “spiritual” refreshment to the boys.

Speedy: I can just visualise the happy faces, in high spirits!

Suri: You got it! The SCM gave me my first experience in engaging in Social Work. We used to visit the Wanatamulla slums every fortnight, distributing dry rations provided by the CNAPT. Though we were supposed to go in pairs I often found that I had to go alone, but I wasn’t scared because the slum dwellers treated us with respect. It was indeed a novel experience and we were expected to give advice and help to solve marital problems, child guidance, housing problems, livelihood support etc. The end of the year Picnic we organised for the children from the homes we visited was so enjoyable. I remember we took them to the Dehiwala Zoo one year and while watching the Elephant Dance one little girl crept on to my lap, hugged me and said “I wish you were my mother!” I will never forget how moved I was by her spontaneous love.  

Speedy: How wonderful and touching!

Suri: Visiting a Home for the Aged run by the government in Borella was also another activity I engaged in. It was a rewarding experience to interact with these dear old people who had been virtually abandoned by their families. They looked forward to our visits and loved to sing and have a chat.

Speedy: Let us pick up the story from there. Where did you do your internship?

Suri:  My first 6 months was at DMH with Dr A M Mendis and then 6 months Medicine with Dr E V Pieris at GH Colombo. I decided to specialise in Anaesthesia because I found the total commitment to a patient needed in the Operating Theatre very satisfying and the quick responses that are needed very challenging.

Speedy: And then you went to the UK?

Suri: Yes, I resigned from Government Service and went to UK for Post Graduate studies in Anaesthesia in 1975. I got through my Part I in 1976 and the Final Fellowship in 1977. I was very fortunate to secure a Senior Registrar Post in Anaesthesia at Kings College Hospital London and was able to obtain my Certificate of Higher Professional Training by 1981.

Speedy: But you returned to Sri Lanka? 

Suri: Yes, and on my return to Sri Lanka in 1981 I re-joined Government Service and my first appointment was as Supernumerary Consultant Anaesthetist in the Colombo Group of Hospitals for 2 years and then 1 year as Consultant Anaesthetist at Base Hospital Panadura

I was selected as a Consultant Anaesthetist to Sri Jayawardanepura General Hospital Kotte at its very inception in 1985, which post I held till my retirement in 1999.

Speedy: It is great to hear how well you served your Country as a Consultant Anaesthetist.

Suri: Thank you Speedy. I enjoyed my work and found it very satisfying.

Speedy: Could I ask you to comment on our Blog and how useful it has been? At the same time, could you say something about the Batch Reunions?

Suri:  I must confess that I do not visit our Blog too often. Lucky keeps us updated on news so that I feel I am not missing much. However I feel that after this interview I will try to be a more regular visitor.

Speedy: I sincerely hope so Suri. The Blog which was created by our own Lucky and so lovingly managed by him couldn’t survive without our participation and I know that you have a lot to offer. Yes, please do visit it regularly. Now, let us move on to batch reunions.

Suri: The first ever batch reunion in Sri Lanka was organised by just a few of us,  J C, Sura, Lucky and myself. We had to work hard to find contact details of those living in Sri Lanka and we were able to muster only about 18 batch mates. The reunion was held at the Holiday Inn Colombo in 1988.  Since then our reunions have grown and the success of these have been largely due to Swyrie’s efficiency and commitment ably supported by Bala. Getting the participation of our batch mates domiciled abroad took a lot of effort and planning but it has been well worth it. All the reunions have been enjoyable and it has been so heart-warming to catch up with batch mates, some who we have not met in half a century.

Speedy: Now I am aware that you got married to Mahendra Amarasekera in 1972. We would love to know how you met him.

Suri: To be very honest we had each gone through a bad experience and were both rather disenchanted with romance. Our meeting was not at all romantic. We were formally introduced by one of Mahendra’s adopted uncles (who was a good friend of my father). The strange thing is that we found we had so much in common.  We love to sing, dance, we both had a sense of humour and the ability to laugh at ourselves, we love the theatre and we are both devout Christians. Would you believe it we found out that we were both ardent Pat Boone Fans too! The only thing we did not share was my love of reading. Mahendra only reads the Newspaper! So we “clicked “from the very start and I can truly say Mahendra is my Best Friend as well as my Husband.

Speedy: You should write a book about couples “made for each other”! You have now been happily married for 45 years. Congratulations! You have not just your kids Manique and Sean, but grandchildren too.

Suri: Yes we are so blessed. Our daughter Manique who obtained an Honours Degree in IT from Manchester Metropolitan University and a MBA from University of Sri Jayawardanepura, has a 10 year old daughter and an 8 year old son. She has inherited Mahendra’s musical talent. She conducts the Old Girls’ Choir “Metho Cantanti “ and writes music for them.

Most of you have met Sean. Remember how he entertained us at the 40^th Anniversary Reunion at Kandalama? Though a doctor by profession, acting and singing remains his first love. He played the title role of Phantom of the Opera last year which ran to full houses at the Lionel Wendt.

Speedy: What a talented pair! Runs in the genes obviously. I know you too have musical talent and was a member of the Moratuwa Choral Society for over 18 years. Tell us something about it.

Suri. Yes, I shall tell you how that happened. When we returned to Sri Lanka in 1981 we were invited to join the Moratuwa Choral Society that had just been formed and was trained by Kala Suri Lylie Godridge. We had practices every Sunday and we used to pick up Lylie who lived just shouting distance away from my home in Dehiwala and drive down to Moratuwa. We sang Spiritual Songs, Easter and Christmas Carols in Churches. We had several Secular Concerts at the Lionel Wendt, and performed on Sawa Sangeetha on TV, had several Radio Broadcasts. We have also performed in other venues in Colombo as well as Kandy, Negombo, and Kurunegala. Our repertoire included music from Mozart, Handel and Bach to Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens, from Negro spirituals to old English favourites.  We also sang perennial favourite sinhala folk songs like Tkiri Tikiri Tikiriliya, Suwanda Rosa Mal Nela, Olu Pipeela, Dhanno Budunge set to exquisite 4 part harmony by Maestro Lylie. We even sang the National anthem with the chorus set to 4 part harmony which sounded great giving you goose bumps!

Speedy: Sorry to interrupt but I must say I really love songs sung in 4-part harmony. They sound so much deeper and resonant.

Suri: I agree. Our most enjoyable production was the “South Town Minstrels” when we sang and danced to Negro Spirituals and Plantation Songs, interspersed with jokes by the “Corner Man” Mahendra. We had our faces painted black, the girls wore colourful skirts and the boys in black and white striped jackets with colourful cumber bands, and straw boaters and canes. We had over 25 shows in and outside Colombo. Our Concerts were held to aid fund raising efforts for worthy causes I remember His Excellency President J R Jayawardena,(who normally has a dead pan face), being the Chief Guest at one show throw his head back and laugh out loud at Mahendra’s jokes. I remember Hon, Lalith Athlathmudali was the Chief Guest at our fund raising effort for the Jaipoor Foot Fund . We also recorded a Cassette “A Decade of Singing” with Spiritual and Secular songs in 1991.

Speedy: I want to now devote some time to your many Professional accomplishments. The list is long and we are truly proud of you. President of the College of Anaesthesiiologists of Sri Lanka in 1996 ,1997, President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) in 2006, Member of the Editorial Council of the Indian Journal of Anaesthesiology and many more. You have a host of Publications in Medical Journals and delivered many keynote lectures.

What was your driving force and how difficult was it for you to combine your career with being a mother and wife? What are your views on how women can be encouraged to contribute to the Community as Professionals on equal terms with men?

Suri: My driving force in my career has been my love for my career as an anaesthetist.  I truly enjoy my work. The privilege I have to care and comfort my patients who are either undergoing surgery or battling life threatening illnesses in the Intensive Care Unit has been truly rewarding. Of course there have been instances of sadness and helplessness when all my best efforts seem to make no difference to the outcome, but I have learned to accept the bad with the good and not feel frustrated.

Combining a full time career with that of a mother was certainly challenging. But I believe that it is the Quality of time you spend with your children that is important. I always tried to get involved and supported whole heartedly all the activities of my children whether it was helping my daughter to obtain her “Wings” as a Brownie Guide, or helping her to get the House corner decorated for the Sports Meet when she was a House Captain or running around getting stage props for Drama productions for my son and helping with costumes, or training him for Oratory Competitions.     

May I take this chance to state that I truly felt very humbled when they elected me to the position of the President SLMA in 2006 only the 6^th woman to hold this high office and the 2^nd Anaesthetist in 119 years.

Speedy: Apart from your work as a Doctor, you have been a regular contributor to the local Newspapers and your articles are known for the excellent style in which they are written. How did you develop this talent? Did you ever contribute as an Editor at school?

Suri : I think what little skill I have in creative writing has been due to my Mother’s influence. She would often delight us with personalised verses to mark our Birthdays and Wedding Anniversaries. I remember how she wrote a song and made our kids practice in secret and give us a wonderful surprise at our 13^th Wedding Anniversary (Copper Wedding) Party.

Speedy: Finally Suri, I know that you are devout Christian and you have always gained strength from your religious beliefs. How big a part did your Faith play in your life?

Suri: I can honestly say that I am what I am today because of the Guidance, Strength and Inspiration I get from my Lord and Saviour Jesus who loves me unconditionally.

I have claimed the promise in the Holy Bible Isaiah Chapter 40vs 31- Many of you may be familiar with it because it was quoted in the film “Chariots of Fire”

“They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength, they shall mount up on wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint“. I had the privilege of stating this on my induction as President SLMA in 2006.

Speedy: And finally Suri, how would you like to describe yourself as a woman, a doctor, a wife and a mother? Can you quote something inspirational for us to conclude this interview?

Suri:  I think that I can describe myself as a woman, a doctor and a mother who is content and has a deep inner Peace and Joy not because I have had a trouble free life, as I have had my share of disappointments and heartbreak, challenges and life threatening illnesses, but through it all I have had the presence of my Friend and Saviour Jesus who is my never failing source of strength and inspiration.

You ask me for a Quote and I can do no better than quote Mother Theresa’s words which have helped me throughout my life.

The Final Analysis

“People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centred - Forgive them anyway

If you are kind, people accuse you of having selfish ulterior motives – Be kind anyway

If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies –Succeed anyway                       

If you are honest and frank people may cheat you – be Honest and Frank anyway

What you spend years in building someone could destroy overnight – Build anyway

If you find serenity and happiness they may be jealous – be Happy anyway

The good you do today people will often forget tomorrow – do Good anyway

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough – Give the world the best you have anyway

You see in the Final Analysis it is between you and God it was never between you and them anyway”                       

Speedy: Suri, it has been an immense pleasure to journey through your life and I wish to thank you for agreeing to feature in the Speedy Interview.

Suri: Thank You. It has been a pleasure and privilege.

Pin sidu wanney- duet with Amitha on Smule