Late Dr. D. B. K. De Silva / Appreciation in the Sunday Times 22 June 2025

https://www.sundaytimes.lk/250622/plus/appreciations-12-601627.html

A friendship from schooldays to medical school and working life

Dr. D. B. K. DE SILVA

Dr. D. B. K. De Silva, Consultant Eye Surgeon passed away on May 31, after a brief illness. He was a Life Member of the College of Opthalmologists of Sri Lanka, obtained FRCS ophthalmology qualifications in the UK at a very early stage in his career and acquired working experience in London, before returning to Sri Lanka.

He hailed from a family of jewellery manufacturers based in East Africa since or before the dawn of the 20th century. His grandfather (DBT) established himself there along with other Ceylonese in the first instance and handed over the business to his father (DBR), who set up a company under his own name. Thereafter his uncle (DBM), a cousin (DDM)  and another relative (GNE) set up their own companies.  All of them at some stage were Jewellers by Special Appointment to the Sultan of Zanzibar.  They also displayed their exquisitely carved jewellery at international exhibitions and won accolades.

His two elder brothers (DBA & DBS) also worked in their father’s company and took over its management when his father returned to Sri Lanka in 1957. His only sister was married to W. T. Wijekulasuriya,  a leading lawyer and upright politician.

DBK chose to continue his studies with his father’s blessings and the latter was in Sri Lanka at the time he passed out as a doctor. After his brothers and the sister left their ancestral home in Magalle, it was his mother, a gracious and deeply religious lady, who provided the love and inspiration for him to pursue his studies successfully.

He was educated at St. Aloysius College, Galle and Mahinda College, Galle. At St. Aloysius, he took part in many sports activities, including athletics, where he excelled in the 100 & 200 metres at the junior level. At Mahinda he played for the First Eleven soccer team. We were his friends at St. Aloysius from the Primary to the Senior Form and one of us continued our friendship through medical school and working life in Galle.

Both of us attended his wedding reception held in 1962 at a reception hall in the Boossa Racecourse premises, when he married Geeta, a graduate,  daughter of Rex Wickremasinghe,  a leading civil lawyer and Galle Coroner.

We were  in constant touch and it is difficult to believe that we will not hear his familiar voice over the phone anymore.  He walked tall amongst men, humility was his strong point, and kindness to all was his weakness. He did not know the word ‘No’. He was there for anyone of his friends in any crisis. When one of us was leaving for the UK, he helped in all official matters. His acts of kindness to friends, relatives and patients are too numerous to mention.

He leaves behind his wife, a son who is also a Consultant Eye Surgeon, a daughter, and grandchildren, all of whom  looked after him with great love and care during his illness.

-Dr. V. Venkateswaran in Sydney   K. K. De Silva in Colombo