Striving to make a better world, that was his legacy

Kandiah Ratnakumar hailed from the village of Chulipuram, Jaffna. One of four siblings, he was born on April 15, 1951. He entered the Medical Faculty, Peradeniya from Jaffna Hindu College qualifying as a doctor in 1975. He left for the UK for postgraduate training with his wife after completing the compulsory period service, having worked closely with that great son of Sri Lanka, the late Dr Lucky Dissanayake, from who he learnt the basics in surgical skills.

He assumed the post of Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Oldchurch (later named Queens) Hospital in 1991 where we worked as colleagues. Specialising in knee surgery he not only touched the hearts of patients and staff but also was a friend, mentor and advisor to many within the community, including some of the leading orthopaedic consultants serving in Sri Lanka. His school mate and colleague Dr. Kumaran recalls him as quiet, studious and helpful. Another grief stricken contemporary Dr. Chandrasiri Abrew, retired vascular surgeon reflects on the times spent with the hospitable Ratna as a surgical trainee in the UK.

A man of few words except in his close circles, Ratna was always good company with a radiant smile. Although I knew him at University it was at Oldchurch Hospital that we developed closer ties as colleagues and he and Saro became my family friends.

A childhood companion Dr. Ananthamoorthy, retired senior lecturer in Dentistry at the University of Ceylon Peradeniya, now settled in Chulipuram recalls “Ratna and myself were schoolmates, growing up together at Pannagam Meihandan Vidyalayam where we learnt our alphabet of our mother tongue together. Both of us moved to

Victoria College Chulipuram. While I stayed on at Victoria College, Ratna moved to Jaffna Hindu College from where he entered the Faculty of Medicine, Peradeniya. Ratna would always make it a point to visit me and my wife whenever he visited Jaffna. Ratna never forgot his roots. He would often visit his relatives and old friends in Sri Lanka and was very charitable.”

Although the couple planned to serve their motherland on completion of their postgraduate training in the UK, the events of July 1983 precluded their return home. Having worked in Canada for a few years they moved back to the UK.

I vividly recall how I would barge in to his house in Gants Hill without any notice - it was in the nature of the man to entertain friends at the drop of a hat, perhaps using the opportunity to share a glass of wine! Saro, too, in her typical friendly manner would tolerate such intrusions without any fuss. His usage of colloquial Tamil with a distinct accent, unique to himself and the surreal sense of humour he displayed were a delight.

Ratna was married to Saro Vinasithamby, whom he courted as a fellow medical student and they both took up posts in different parts of Sri Lanka pursuing their chosen careers in surgery and anaesthesia respectively. Saro retired after a long stint as Consultant Anaesthetist in South London.

Towards retirement Ratna developed a passion for golf. One of his plans for retirement was to return to Sri Lanka, the land he loved

He became unwell in the early part of January developing shortness of breath needing hospitalisation at Whipps Cross Hospital where he lost his fight against COVID-19 on January 26.

His generosity was not confined to friends and relatives but extended beyond. He supported several organisations but never sought position, opting often to help behind the scenes. In life he was an example of endurance, resilience and humility.

Saro gave him strength and purpose; joy and friendship; and stood by him always in those last hardest days.

We cannot know what God’s plan is for us. What we can do is to live our lives as best as we can with purpose and with love and with joy. We can use each day to show those who are closest to us how much we care about them and treat others with the kindness and respect that we wish ourselves, and we can strive at all costs to make a better world, so that our fleeting presence has a lasting impact on the lives of others.

This is how Ratnakumar lived. This is his legacy.

May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanthi.