A beacon in the medical field he was loved by all A dear friend from those golden years at S. Thomas

Jeffrey kept his tryst with Christ on January 24 and slipped into eternity peacefully.

He was a product of Prince of Wales, Moratuwa in his early days and moved on to S. Thomas College, Mount Lavinia, where he excelled in studies and sports. He played for the college cricket team and was in the Big Match against Royal.

He entered Medical College and played cricket for the Colombo University. He represented Bloomfield and Nomads clubs too. He was in the University cricket team that toured Singapore and it was there he met his sweetheart Catherine in 1959 and married her in Sri Lanka in 1960. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in December 2010.

Jeffrey served as Medical Officer in several stations finally ending up as Medical Officer in the Colombo Municipality.

He migrated to England and worked as a GP, for many years in Middlesex. At a time when the medical profession is heavily criticized he was a beacon – a man of lofty ideals.

Jeffrey was very attached to his wife and children to whom he was not only a father but a true friend too.

Cheerful, honest and trustworthy, Jeffrey's numerous good qualities earned him a wide circle of friends. He loved fun and found time to be with others whose company he enjoyed. He was a member of the Free Lances Association, comprising six Royalists and six Thomians. We have stuck with this allegiance from our youth, dwindling in numbers due to the fast exodus to the Elysium fields.

Jeffrey has left indelible footprints. May his soul rest in peace.

Free Lances

It was with great sorrow that I heard of the demise of my good friend Raja Amerasinghe, who passed away on the night of January 21, 2012. It was a solace to hear that his was a peaceful death. He was cremated at the General Cemetery, Kanatte, on January 23, before a large and distinguished gathering.

Raja was the son of the late Somadatta and Sumana Amerasinghe. Mr. Somadatta Amerasinghe was a former Commissioner of Elections in Sri Lanka.

Raja is probably the only Thomian who is also an “old boy” of Ladies College, Colombo 7, where he had his nursery education. His two sisters, lrangani and Sujatha, attended Ladies.

Raja joined “the school by the sea” at Mt. Lavinia, where we met in Grade 1. For 13 years we attended this citadel of education, moving up from grade to grade. This was the golden era of our lives.

Raja was a giant of a man with an imposing personality, and with a great appetite for food. But he was gentle as a lamb and had the heart of an angel.

At college, we were actively involved in sports activities, literary societies, drama circles and “Hela-haula”, under Mr. Pinto Jayawardena and Mr. Arisen Ahubudu. We had our share of fun and frolic.

I was sergeant of the Senior Cadet Corps, and Raja was the L/SGT. We had a night camp once, and we occupied the college hall balcony for the night. Raja smuggled in a bottle of beer. We were later joined by Kalu Wije, a rookie in the platoon, who wanted his share of the beer. Kalu Wijerathne, who retired as Major-general of the Sri Lanka Army.

The college prefects, or “cops”, were a nasty lot. On several occasions we were hauled before the Warden, Canon R. S. de Saram, and given a caning. We were determined to do something about the sneaking.

On the eve of a Royal-thomian cricket match, the cops attended a function outside the school and returned by train when it was dark. We ambushed them opposite the railway station, attacking them with brickbats, stones, and more. We bolted to evade identification. Next day, four of us were hauled up before the Warden, who caned us without even asking for an explanation. Fair enough, we had been identified. The head cop was M. Bala. He was a good chap.

One day, the four of us went to the Majestic Theatre for a matinee show. After the show, we walked into the Mayfair Hotel across the road. Each ordered food for himself. After the meal, we told the waiter what we had eaten. I said that I had had two egg-hoppers and six plain hoppers, and it continued thus until it came to Raja’s turn. He looked sheepish and muttered, “Six egg-hoppers and 75 string hoppers.”

We pooled our resources but still could not meet the bill. One of us suggested that we “do a bolt.” I objected, as Raja, with the load in his belly, would have been stopped before he had proceeded 10 yards. We compromised and left behind a wristwatch and made a hasty retreat, lest we were made to wash dishes for a couple of days.

We were involved in several juicy and spicy incidents, but space does not permit me to narrate these.

After our stints in that hallowed place of learning, Raja joined the plantation sector and I joined the Sri Lanka Police. Through the years we made it a point to meet at the Royal-thomian matches, and any event organised by the college, such as centenary group functions, and so on.

In November 1969, when I was attached to the Chilaw Division, I received a summons from Raja. We met in Colombo. He insisted that I be his best man at his wedding. I obliged, and the wedding took place on November 6, 1969. I too signed on the dotted line the same day.

Raja married Sarojini, fondly called Saro, a charming lass from the Rock City, a graduate with double degrees who held several senior posts in the government and the private sector. She was a source of strength to Raja. Saro was always happy to entertain Raja’s friends and guests, and gave advice to those who needed it. The couple were blessed with a son, Asitha, and two daughters, Surani and Ushi. They are married and settled down as responsible citizens.

In his latter years, Raja did a lot of meritorious work as administrative secretary of the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust, while Saro ventured into social service, in which she is still involved.

Let me extend my heartfelt sympathies to Saro, the children, and all relatives.

Raja, you were a good man, a good friend, a good husband, and a good father. We all miss you.

May you attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.

Tikka Jayasinghe

Eighty-three years ago a child was born to a young couple. At the child’s birth, her mother, who was remembered for years as a very beautiful woman, passed away.

At the time this was quite a common family tragedy. The families of both parents were determined to compensate the little child for her loss and to bring her up with all the love they were capable of. One strategy was for the girl’s aunt to marry the girl’s father. This happened. With outpourings of love, this child blossomed. The belief in love was to become the foundation of all her beliefs and acts in life.

The family named her Lily Agnes, and truly a lily she was.

Those who knew her would say that here was a woman who has left a message that to many seemed so difficult to achieve in life. The message she leaves is that love is the greatest virtue of all.

This Lily will be remembered by all who knew her as one of the most beautiful human beings they were privileged to know.

May many such lilies be born to make this world as beautiful as she made it.

Basil Fernando