Dr. Sathis Jayasinghe passed away due to the deadly Covid-19 virus. He was instrumental in starting the North Colombo Medical College (NCNC) and was the Secretary of the Board of Governors.
I and Ruvini owe him an immense sense of gratitude as we were able to become doctors and serve the human kind.
The NCMC has produced a real breed of doctors during its 18 years and they are all over the world doing very well.
There are vast number of consultants in Sri Lanka, presidents of colleges, professors and so on.
Dr. Jayasinghe was an honourable and an honest person. He was the personal physician to President JR Jayewardene and JRJ wanted him to contest Wattata but was politely declined by Dr. SJ.
Even though he was very influential during JRJ’s time he did not acquire any wealth. Only wealth he acquired was the NCMC.
His wife passed away last year and he was grieving her demise until his death.
He is related to JRJ and also to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa through marriage to his wife Sirimanne from down South.
He never used political connections for his own good. A real gentleman.
He was present in the White House with his wife when they accompanied JRJ on his official tour to the USA where JRJ made a fantastic speech and Frank Sinatra was in the ballroom to sing for JRJ on the invitation of President Reagan.
People who visited him recently were two former Presidents and a Prime Minister.
He leaves his children Rohan, Dilika and Piyal.
Our deepest sympathies to Rohan, Dilika, Piyal, Anomi and the grandchildren.
Sir, may you attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana until we meet again.
Dr. Namal Senasinghe
MBBS, Dip in Pain Med, FFARCS, FFPMCA
Consultant in Pain Management
Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, United Kingdom.