The Ruhunu Kumari was speeding to Matara on December 24. The train was packed. Dr. Edward Perera, his wife and two daughters were going to Matara to their ancestral home for Christmas. Dr. Perera worked at the Matara hospital. A terrible bus accident had kept the entire staff of the hospital busy in saving lives of the injured. Luckily there were no fatalities. Then a few passengers and railway employees were rushing from compartment to compartment.
The train stopped at an unscheduled station. A mother to be was unconscious and was bleeding profusely. Her husband and parents were crying. Dr. Perera directed the helpers to take her to the station. A very empathetic station master's wife and family got a room ready. She called nursing sisters of a hospital. They rushed to the house. The compound was full. There was no time for the patient to be taken to hospital. However, they called for an ambulance.
The good doctor called the elders to the room. He looked up at the serene and smiling picture of the Buddha. He said, “My dear friends, today is a historic day for all of us. We are Catholics. We were on our way to Matara to be with our families in church for Christmas to welcome Baby Jesus. The Buddha and Jesus had lovely mothers. So did we. Let us tell them to give us this sweet baby today. A beautiful gift from them. So armed with razor blades, scissors, needles, thread, surgical spirits and torchers, our little gem of Lanka was about to create history in the prenatal, natal and post natal happening of beauty. Then the cry. “I have come to your world. Thank you all", the cry of the new born. All around the house were in raptures. One of the doctor’s daughters ran to the compound. “Our Thaththa said we have got a brand new Malliya". A sweet malliya like baby Jesus, who was born on Christmas day.” An ambulance took them to hospital.
Exactly 32 years later, Dr. Edward, wife and their eldest daughter were returning home after midnight mass on Christmas day. A brakeless browser ploughed into their car. The doctor's head was damaged. He was rushed to Colombo. A world renowned brain specialist was holidaying in Kegalle. He was rushed to Colombo in an ambulance. The surgery was a tremendous success. It was recorded, and would certainly traverse round the globe. A medical marvel. All wanted to congratulate him. He was by the window in tears, then, he spluttered, “He is the dear God who brought me to this world 32+ years ago on Christmas day.” He related the happening. All were silent, eyes full of tears. “He is my saviour. God Bless him. He will be well soon” “No, now I am well said the patient I heard your story. Happy birthday putha.” “Thank You” what a gift to Doctor Edward’s family.
Epilogue
A lady approached Dr. Suwanpathy. I am Dr. Edward’s eldest daughter. You saved my darling thaththa. “Ah! So you are the famous Sepalika N. Perera”. The authoress fell at Dr. Suwanpathy’s feet. “My dearest doctor, yes, I can write a book, but you can save a life."