Since 2010 when I sat for A/L from Kandy and chose Colombo
as the faculty of my choice, the most frequently asked question was “Why Colombo?
You should have enjoyed Pera”. There often are times that I, myself wondered if
I made a mistake. But life from 2011 to 2017 at Colombo and it’s memory has now
convinced that I made the correct and the best choice. After passing out from
2016 and leaving the faculty in 2017 as a demonstrator, it always felt
wonderful and refreshing passing by the faculty and occasionally walking in to
the faculty. Walking the few corridors available in the faculty always reminded
of so many memories; both good and bad of the half decade of our lives spent there.
The notice boards, the benches, the quadrangle all reminded of the many hours
we spent in few best years of our youth.
2020, the faculty was getting read for it’s 150th
celebration. Since we weren’t included in the faculty network much, the heat of the
celebration was not much evident. Thankful to the CoMSAA membership, the email
reminders kept few updates on the 150th celebration. As a person,
who is deeply attached to the places I studied, may it be college or university;
I myself could not afford to miss out on this once a life time opportunity of
150th Celebration of this beloved place.
The first event I attended in 150th celebration was
the inaugural ceremony of the Colombo medical congress, where I realized the
greatness of the institute that had taught us medicine. Never in my time at medical
school or later, I realized the privilege to have learnt from such a prestigious
institute. More importantly, how much of its legacy has to be continued forward
by the generations of medical students including ourselves who have just
started our careers. The inauguration ceremony was studded with medical-stars and
living medical legends were walking around. If not for the ever-welcoming
Physiology teachers, I would have felt ineligible to be at the inauguration.
It was one of those rare times where the academic staff and the students worked hand in hand together to achieve a common goal for the faculty or university. Mostly in medical school life is a constant battle between the students and staff, starting from punctuality in lectures, constants rejections to requests for schedule changes, limitation of faculty hours etc. How wonderful it was to witness a major conference happening in the same lecture halls where we learnt all those basic medical concepts. To see the students and the staff working in the same team was the greatest sight of all. Thanks to the never ending SLES, I was fortunate at least to present a poster at this 150th celebration, as my only active contribution, which will be a memorable event if I make it till 175th celebration alive.
The 150th fiesta was not merely an academic one.
The quadrangle; the car park during our times at the faculty, is now modified
in to a mini open theatre by the 150th celebration, after 4 years of
execution lead by Pujitha sir. I recall the conversations at the meeting after
the agony of “Pacha tree” in 2016. We expected the theatre to be functioning a
bit earlier, never mind, it was made open in the ideal time in the ideal design.
Recalling about the quadrangle, I remember how a small stick of Pacha tree fell
on the expensive vehicle of a congress co-chair, and how he frowned at me and
the fellow first year batchmates as if we threw the stick at his vehicle.
Newly
developed mini theatre added a great look to the faculty. The value of this theatre
was evident at the “Paduru Party” on the 14th. This was for me the
most entertaining evening at faculty I have seen. We have witnessed and
performed in few Ninnada, freshers, paduru etc but 14th February 2020
night was epic. For this night, there were no senior professors, professors, senior
lecturers, lecturers etc; it was just a bunch of past and present medical
students, who are elated by the birthday celebration of their medical college.
It’s was a pure joy while everyone recalled their past, lived in their own
worlds for one night, under the stars at quadrangle, which I am sure, everyone
would have their own share of memories; when they studied at the faculty. I
have never witnessed such a staff-student collaboration during my stay at
faculty and I hope, many such friendly collaborations would happen at the mini
open theatre in the time to come.
While being proud of the great people produced by this
faulty, it would be unfair by the present medical students, it their efforts
and skills are not appreciated. Since we have passed out, it appears a set of
professionals have taken up medicine at MFC. Professional level athletes,
singers, musicians, dancers, organizes, announcers and what not. That Faculty
is star studded even at present and it appears we were the last set of average students
who studied there. While displaying the aesthetic and organizational skills,
Colombo medicos never forgot to dominate their academic brilliance by clinching
the global medical challenge as well.
150 year celebration is not yet over. There is the medical
exhibition coming up. Another experience I personally wanted desperately during
my stay; to convince a batch to get a Medex exhibition done. It still lies as a
failure. However, I am anxiously waiting to see how the present medicos conduct
this wonderful medical exhibition which I am sure is going to be another spectacular
event.
Medical faculty, Colombo - MFC; with the 150th
celebration, I realized how privileged we are to study in you. Your legacy is
unimaginable. We aren't certain if our own medical careers will succeed or fail. But
we are certain, despite all failures, you would still produce those wonderful
people and achievements that pioneer medicine, medical education and healthcare
in this country.
“What wealth has the school given to our land? They were it’s
mortal products like us all. And what treasurers have we ourselves chosen and pursued?
Are these the treasures that moths and rust corrupt, or will they endure time
to a realm beyond? Have we chosen wisely? This answer will necessarily be the
schools own answer to our land”
Prof. Carlo Fonseka : The Colombo Medical school at 150 –
Celebrating our heritage
Photoe credits to all friends who have clicked the photoes. Unable to recall the friends by each photo.
