A caring doctor who leaves behind special memories and a legacy of love

Ihad known Dr. Nilanthi for more than 40 years since her marriage to my cousin Frank. Nilanthi was born in Moratuwa to a middle-class Catholic family. Her siblings include an older sister and a younger brother. All three of them were studious. Her parents, especially her father, was a devout Catholic and frequent visitor to St. Sebastian’s church in Moratuwa.

Up to grade eight, Nilanthi attended Our Lady of Victories Convent, Moratuwa and then joined Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya. She was accepted to the Medical College in

1972 and travelled daily from Moratuwa to the Medical College until she was able to get a place at the Medical College hostel. She graduated in 1976.

Her career began as an intern at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo, where she worked for six months and she then spent another six months at the Castle Street Hospital, Borella, working with leading qualified senior doctors. In 1977, she married her lifelong friend, Frank Cooray, who was a Technical Officer in the Irrigation Department. Her first appointment as a fully-fledged MBBS doctor was at the Narammala Base Hospital. Thereafter she got a transfer to the Lunawa Hospital.

After serving the required number of compulsory years, she gave up her government job and started her own private practice. This decision seemed a calculated risk as at that time Moratuwa had many reputed and recognized senior doctors such as Dr. Festus Fernando, Dr. Winston Perera, Dr. Cramer, Dr. Muthukumaru, Dr. Keerthisinghe, Dr. Guy de Silva and so on. However, within a short span of time, Nilanthi was able to establish herself and by the time the senior doctors retired or left Moratuwa, she had become one of the highly recognised doctors in Moratuwa known for her diagnostic excellence.

The demands of work and bringing up two little daughters made it difficult for Nilanthi. To support her, her husband went on voluntary retirement after serving for 18 years at the Irrigation Department. He was just short of two years to qualify for the government pension.

In the prime of life Nilanthi was diagnosed with cancer. More time was spent in rest and prayer for a miraculous healing. She went to Lourdes in France, a place known for Marian worship, to fulfil a vow, after receiving the good news from Dr. S. R. Jayatilleke, who was her oncologist, that her cancer had disappeared. This was the first thing she wanted to do upon being miraculously healed. She got the green light from the doctor to fly. After her cancer Nilanthi slowed down her practice and limited the number of patients per day.

Nilanthi was never interested in having a luxurious life or extra comforts like luxury cars or overseas holidays. Her life was centred around her family and her profession. She was a loving wife to her husband and devoted mother to her two daughters. As time passed, spending time with her four grandchildren brought her great happiness.

Only after her death did most people come to know about her charitable acts of kindness and in treating the poor without charging a fee. At her funeral service, a priest who gave the homily mentioned how students and staff of St. Sebastian’s College Moratuwa benefited by her treatment during their illnesses. It was only a matter of telling her husband who was now attached to the staff at the College and he made arrangements for them to consult Dr. Nilanthi on a priority line. There was no difference between a priest, staff member, member of the minor staff or a student – all were treated free of charge.

Several priests (including Bishop Anthony who was a past Rector of the College) and Christian brothers who served the college attended her funeral. I am certain that they came not only to pay their last respects but also to express their gratitude for taking care of them during their time of illness.

In the latter part of her life, her health deteriorated and with the help of her domestic aide, she had chosen a saree and a blouse for her final journey, which she did not disclose to her family members. When Frank came to know about it, he was upset and had asked Nilanthi what this was all about. Taking that opportunity she had given one more instruction to Frank, and that is that after she is gone, the gold chain she wore should be given to the domestic aide. For her final journey she was dressed in that saree she chose and when everything was over the gold chain was given to the domestic aide.

She leaves behind so many special memories and a legacy of love. May her soul rest in peace.