Fond memories of his loving care

R.G. Premaratne who was in charge of the Dharmaraja College Hostel Sick Ward for over four decades, having joined in the early 1960's during Warden B.A.S. Wimalachandra’s time, passed away on January 5, 2010.He hailed from Mawanella and made the Lake View hill his home.

My earliest remembrance of him dates back to 1966 when I was admitted to the sick ward with mumps. And thereafter I along with fellow Rajan hostellers came under his loving care on numerous occasions either when ill, for wound dressings or with a bogus stomach ache for a dose of ginger spirit (this gave us a kick!).

Mr.Premaratne was always immaculately clad in white sarong and shirt. He took us to Dr. Nihal Karunaratne's Peoples' Dispensary at Trincomalee Street for consultation and medicine and ensured that every sick child got the proper medication as well as taking our temperatures twice daily and serving us with a cup of Horlicks.

He had his room in a corner of the sick ward. I have nostalgic memories of listening to the mandolin played by him at night.

Mr. Premaratne was a multi-faceted personality and also worked in the College Library; he was a bookbinder and could repair water pumps, was the electrician etc. thus saving money for the hostel.

He used to relate to us the past glories of the hostel, about the school’s great sportsmen. He was a custodian of Dharmaraja culture.

My thoughts are with his wife Mrs. Kalyani Wijenayake and daughter Manori.

Anil Ellepola