Dr. Sathis Jayasinghe, the Humanitarian

Appreciation

Dr. Sathis Jayasinghe – Humanitarian in Life and Service

The medical profession lost one of its noblest practitioners when Dr. Sathis Jayasinghe became another victim of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A look back on his life and antecedents reveal many salient features worthy of note. Sathis was the eldest son of Harriet Mary Wijegunawardena and Alfred Benjamin Jayasinghe, a state functionary from Paiyagala, who at times acted as President, Rural Court, Kalutara District.

He seemed determined to gain from the emerging positive academic environment in the country.

As a result, two of their children achieved eminence in medicine. The third boy in the family obtained a rare Doctorate in Chemical Engineering from the University of London. Two other children graduated from the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya. Another girl rose to be Assistant Controller in the Central Bank. The youngest boy in the family became the Managing Director of the family owned Nursing Home in Sri Jayawardenapura.

Benjamin Jayasinghe who died comparatively early, would have breathed his last, a contented man having produced such talented children.

Sathis, after a serving few years in the Government service armed with a post Graduate Diploma in Child Care in London, returned to Sri Lanka and commenced his private practice in Wattala. Since the outset of his practice, he established an enviable reputation for his commitment and unremitting care in treating patients. As a result, he endeared himself to thousands of patients in Wattala and its vast environs.

He married Rohini, the daughter of Simon O. Sirimane from Bentota. The two Sirimane brothers James and Simon were amongst the wealthiest rubber planters of that time. The Sirimanes also had extremely high connections with political leaders who headed this country. Sathis and Rohini became an ideal and compatible couple throughout their lives.

Sathis’s promising career was further embellished when he became President J.R. Jayewardene’s Personal Physician. This led to a mutually beneficial tie up with the Head of State. As a result, he and Rohini were able to visit many countries along with the President .

In the early 1980’s, the lack of opportunities for medical education, which had been evident for some time, aggravated. To be fair by those who aspired for medical education, but could not obtain a place in the local Medical College, there was a need to fill this vacuum.

The pioneering vision of Sathis and a few other Doctors enabled the establishment of a private medical College, namely the North Colombo Medical College. This proved to be a boon to many potential doctors, who achieved eminence in Sri Lanka and overseas in the field of medicine.

It is needless to say that despite all these commitments, Sathis continued his practice at Wattala ,where he demonstrated his rare and unique qualities of kindness, humility and patience .

Even the greatest of men have to confront the inevitability of death. The Buddha, in his sublime preachings, has referred to impermanence which is a fact of life.

We, the members of the family, cherish the life and services of Dr. Jayasinghe, a great humanitarian. He has created a vacuum in our lives which is extremely difficult to fill.

May He attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana!

JAGATH and JAYANTHI SAVANADASA
jaysavana123@gmail.com