He was so much more than a distinguished physician

It was with great sadness I received the news of the demise of my former teacher, a fine physician and true gentleman. Kirthi S. De Silva had his education at Royal College Colombo. He went on to the Medical School of the University of Ceylon in 1949 and graduated in 1954 obtaining his MBBS degree. After junior appointments he set off to the UK in 1958 for further training. There he began his work in Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

In 1963 Dr De Silva passed the MRCP examination both in London and Edinburgh and made plans to return home to Ceylon. His enthusiasm for everything he did inside and outside of medicine seemed boundless. With his love for travel and adventure he planned an epic journey with two of his closest friends, Sivasambu Anandaraja and Prof. K.N (Bull) Seneviratne, to travel overland from Paris to Ceylon. The terrain was hostile all the way through Turkey, Middle East and Pakistan. It wasn’t a journey for the faint-hearted as we realised when we were shown the slides while in medical school.

On his return to Ceylon he passed the difficult MD examination, joining the elite band of specialist physicians, having both the MRCP and MD. He remained simple and modest, wearing his learning and authority lightly. In 1963 Dr De Silva worked as a Consultant Physician in Colombo for a short period of time. During this time I was a medical student and had just started clinical work. A few of us were assigned to work with him. Dr De Silva was a brilliant teacher. He was then universally known as “Kira”. I still remember the aetiology, clinical signs, complications and the treatment of Rheumatic Fever that he taught us. He treated us with courtesy and respect, such a rare commodity in those days.

He was a fine clinician and dignified gentleman. Always polite and softly spoken he showed tremendous kindness to his patients and to the staff. In turn he received great loyalty and enormous respect. He showed us how to conduct ourselves calmly and with dignity in the ward. His patients adored him. His work ethic and bedside manner had a tremendous impact on me. Dr De Silva brought a certain style, polish and elegance to his ward rounds and we were all uplifted by it. Many of us felt we should have had a longer spell with him.

As a Consultant Physician, Dr De Silva worked in Anuradhapura and Badulla. The 1970’s were uncertain times in Sri Lanka. There was serious political turmoil with an insurrection in 1971. The rising ethnic tension gave rise to unrest. This resulted in a mass exodus of the intelligentsia from the country. Dr De Silva and family emigrated to Masterton in New Zealand in 1972. They settled in well in their new country. He was awarded the FRACP in 1976 and then the FRCP (London) soon after. He was an outstanding physician and continued to work in Masterton as a consultant. Being a true generalist, he kept assiduously up to date with new trends and techniques.

Dr De Silva was however much more than a distinguished physician. He was one of the most likable, genuine persons you could ever wish to meet. He was always available to chat with his friends and colleagues, not only about medicine but about many other things, including the other great loves in his life, the arts, music and travel.

Many will perhaps remember Dr De Silva for his wit and humour and his extraordinary energy and enthusiasm for life. He was truly international, a bon viveur and raconteur, an expert on wine and whisky, and a most generous host.

Dr Sivasambu Anandaraja and Dr Rohini Anandaraja have been life-long friends with Dr K.S De Silva and family. I am greatly indebted to them for providing me with the information and inspiration to write this tribute. I am so pleased I have had this opportunity to pay my respects to a fine teacher and a wonderful human being.

Dr De Silva faced his final illness with courage and fortitude and had a peaceful end to his life. He took enormous pride in his three children and found profound comfort over more than fifty years in his marriage with Anna. He is survived by his wife and by their daughters Lilamani and Sonali and son Raja.

He wanted the funeral to be as simple as possible playing some of his favourite music.

May he find eternal peace.

Dr. Nihal D. Amerasekera