Rugby and surgery

The two VVITs in his life:

Savithri talks about life with Dr. Maiya Gunesekara

"When we go out it is I who have to run to the car with my hairbrush and pair of shoes as he takes next to no time to dress, and would be puffing inside the car ready to move in two seconds," says Savithri, wife of Dr. Maiya Gunasekara.

"He is very quick in everything; whether he is having a meal, getting dressed or making decisions. He could be so fast because he is a surgeon who has to be quick when dealing with a patient's life. When he applies the same technique at home too we have to be quick to keep up with him" she laughs.

Dr. Maiya Gunesekara, one of the best Consultant Physician Surgeons at Nawaloka Hospital who feels no stress whatever the work load put on him has many interests.

"Rugby and surgery are the two VVITs (Very Very Important Things) in his life. He feels no stress, and can attend to a lot of work simultaneously," says Savithri.

"You know, I do very important things like watching rugger matches on TV and reading newspapers and so on. But she does unimportant things like looking after the children, and attending to the housework etc," laughs Dr. Maiya cracking his usual jokes.

"Oh, Heavens! the words 'important' and 'unimportant' should be exchanged. He knows little about what's going on at home," butts in Savithri. Their home seems full of joy though at present only their son is at home. The two daughters are in the UK pursuing their higher studies.

Prithiva Savithri Fernando is the third in a family of four. Her father, Percy Fernando was a landed proprietor and her mother Suwinitha was a housewife. Savithri had her education at Visakha Vidyalaya and entered the Law Faculty in Colombo. Her elder sister was in the Medical College and Maiya was in the same batch as Savithri's sister. Maiya was already popular as a top ranker in Rugby. She reminisces.

"On the very first day I saw him, he was on a cycle on his way home from the Medical College. My sister who had been talking a lot about him at home quickly showed him to me.

He stopped his cycle and had a few words with me. I smiled and said 'Hello' to him and that was that. To tell you the truth since I was short sighted his features were not registered in my mind. And I didn't have any particular interest in him," she recalls.

But things were different with Maiya. Savithri was astonished when her sister told her that Maiya's friends were having a good time playing fun coupling him and her. "My sister also said that Maiya's response to it was neutral or sometimes slightly positive.

I was astounded. At the same time he started visiting our place as a batch mate of my sister. He was a friendly guy and everybody at my place including my parents, servants, relatives and even the neighbours liked him. I thought how cheeky he is," she says.

"He was so mischievous. He was staying close to our place. Knowing that I was refusing him he started doing crazy things. He made his friends call me and express how he felt for me. And when he was passing our place (be it day or midnight - either with his gang of Royalists or alone on his push-cycle) he used to shout his own name.

All the neighbours knew what was happening," she says. Finally Maiya won the game. She became his first love. And then the next game began. This was with Savithri's father, Percy Fernando, the monarch....

"My father knew there was something going on. But he could not figure out whether it was mine or my sister's. So he raised the front wall of the house a few feet more.

From left: Sonalini,Thimuth,Ayanthi with Dr. Maiya and Savithri Gunesekara

But Maiya was in and out of the house as a batch mate of my sister. No one suspected him. So some of my sisters' friends once told my father, 'Oh! uncle you put the wall up, but let the thief in'. But my father didn't get it," laughs Savithri.

Indrajith Maithri de Soyza Gunesekara alias Maiya was the son of Gnanasena Gunesekara, a District Regional Officer (D.R.O.). His mother, Mallika was a cancer patient who died when he was in the final year of Medical College. "I learnt to cook well. So when I made something nice I never failed to give him his share. I used to hand-over the parcel through a servant.

When he was about to come our way he would give a ring cut to the telephone. A servant of mine would be there to hand the parcel to him. Likewise when he had to do some darning in his socks or shirts he would hand it over to her. When the phone gave the indication Savithri would stay at the gate for him to have a glimpse of her.

The whole neighbourhood knew all this, and used to view the scenario as if they were watching a film. There were no celluloid screens. They were watching a real love story. And they were all very supportive to the two love birds.

They got married under a shower of blessings from their elders at Taprobane (Grand Oriental) Hotel on January 7 in 1980.

Love blinds people. Savithri was about to finish her final exam at the Law Faculty when she got married and then flew to the UK for his FRCS finals. And she never finished her studies. "Oh! never mind, I have my Maiya and my children instead," she laughs. Savithri laughs after every word she utters.

"Maiya comes home every now and then for lunch and tea and whenever he gets a break during the day. So we do not miss his company. But, he has no time for an outing.

That is something I've been longing to have. The Operating theatre is his second home.

When I tell him to take leave as it is really stressful he says he would work until he can't work anymore. So no point in arguing with him over retiring and relaxing," laughs Savithri. "He never fails to call the two girls in the morning as they are abroad. They say 'Thaththi, you are an alarm clock that runs without batteries," she continues.

"Other than watching a match I have nothing much to do with rugby now. So I have cut down on food, and meditate instead as it is cheaper and healthier in every way," concludes Maiya with a broad smile.

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