Happy and contented medico-legal wedlock

Vinodhini on life with Dr. Githanjan Mendis:

By Lakmal WELABADA

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"Professionalism is not the job you do, but how you do the job"...

The catch phrase is just appropriate for him, thinks his wife Vinodhini who has been shouldering the bulk of the burden giving a big space to her professional husband to carry on his duties. It is hundred percent devotion. What, with his profession that goes along with his three titles that make him tight to the neck. Indeed, Dr. Githanjan Mendis looks for space for his family.

"Weekends would be the only time that gives four of us a little time to be together; either at lunch or dinner," smiles Vinodhini, who has quit her lucrative law profession to be a full time mother to her kids.

"I don't regret as I think my duty is with them. And also, that is the need of the hour with a busy husband like Githanjana," she continues.

Dr. Githanjan Mendis is a full time Neurologist by profession. He pioneered the Institution of Sports Medicine of the Ministry of Health. At present, he is the Director General of the Institution which handles every aspect of National sports. Apart from that, he is the Chairman of the Open International University registered body under the WHO to handle integrated medicine like Western, Ayurvedia and Acupuncture. He is also the chairman of the National Anti-Doping Organisation, a government body. Over looking banned substances relating to sportsmen and sportswomen.

Githanjan Priyantha Mendis was born in Panadura to the CAS Officer Jinadasa Mendis and Shushila as the middle of three boys. Jinadasa was the chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board and later was a consultant in the UN. "He was a botanist and loved planting and engaged in it throughout his life," says Vinodhini. Unlike him, Githanjan's two brothers are engineers. Kithmal lives in Australia and Malith Mendis is the CO of the Lanka Hydraulic Ltd.

Born and bred in Panadura, Githanjan's family moved to Colombo to further his education at Ananda College, Colombo. Cricket was his forte, and he played for the first eleven. Githanjana was much involved in Buddhist activities at school. "Driving was his passion and he loved to speed. Fortunately, he has no time for that blood curdling sport now," adds Vinodhini.

Githanjan excelled in whatever field he was drawn to. As a schoolboy, he headed many schools' societies. He was the President of three school clubs; philatelic, photography and interact, and was dedicated to whatever he engaged in. Hard work was the secret to his success.

After excelling in his studies both at A/Ls and at Colombo Medical College, Githanjana entered the Westminster Hospital, London to do his MRCP (Member of Royal College of Physicians).

"According to his mother, Githanjan was the most obedient and quiet boy out of the three sons. But, now the call of duty has made him an outspoken man. He has no fear to declare what he has to say," smiles Vinodhini.

Vinodhini de Fonseka was born in Colombo to Saliya Fonseka and Violet Wijesuriya.

"My father was an engineer and my mother has been handling her family business - `Mahajana Rubber Industries Ltd.' along with my two sisters. Like Githanjana, I'm the middle girl of three," she says. A studious student at Visakha Vidyalaya, Vinodhini learnt Western ballet under Oosha Saravanamuttu. She was also a sportswoman - tennis, netball and swimming being her forte. She entered Law College and passed out in mid 1980s, and proceeded to England to do her Solicitors examination.

Excerpts:

Q: Were you and Githanjan studying in England about the same time?

A: Must be, but we had never met each other. One day he visited my home to propose to me.

Q: How did you see him? As a professional or as a person?

A: He's very easy going. His commitment towards his academic career was visible even as a student. But frankly, never thought he would reach the height he has today. We got married on November 14 in 1989. Nearly twenty years now.

Q: Your children?

A: Daughter and a son. Shamara studied at St. Bridget's and Colombo International School (CIS). At present, she is doing her higher studies. Prashan first went to Royal, and is now studying at the CIS. He is an allrounder who plays archery and takes part in stage dramas and school choir. He is a good violinist as well.

Q: Does Githanjan have time for his children with his busy schedule?

A: I'm with them throughout. So, whatsoever problem they have they come to me. There are disagreements and disputes, when their father's word of course, carries heavier weight although he spends less time with them. He does not want to see negative points from the children, and tries his best to be the `god'.

Hence, he has scored `the best' marks among our two teenagers (laughs). Ammi has to do all their work, but Thaththi takes the cake.

Q: Would you say that the once quiet student has changed because of his profession?

A: He knows his job. `Professionalism is not the job you do, but how you do the job'.... He follows this to the maximum, and sometimes puts himself in trouble too as a result. I can recall how once he was at the centre of a cricket.

Once, the Sri Lanka Cricket team was put into a physical controversy when Aravinda de Silva failed a fitness test. All knew that Aravinda was a brilliant player. But Githanjan had to produce his report with the true data that was gathered. Secondly, another incident occurred regarding Susanthika. Recently, Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva's son was brought to him for treatment, and Githanjan had to forward about the injuries the young man had received. When it comes to making an official statement, Githanjan does not hesitate to declare the absolute truth irrespective of whether the person concerned is a friend, foe or an unknown person.

Hence, all those three issues created a huge storm among the general public. I think the media should have realised that Githanjan did his job as a doctor and was not biased towards anybody. All these three incidents affected our kids adversely, and I had to explain to them what was going on. We even received death threats over some incidents.

Q: But you look quite a calm and serene person?

A: So many have told me that. May be, it has helped me to keep myself going while shouldering almost all the burdens at home without waiting for my busy husband to take care of them. I have understood the nature of his job and try my best to give away my utmost support to him. But that does not mean that I do not grumble over his business.(smiles).

Q: You too were professionals. Don't you regret over leaving your job?

A: When I had my daughter, I was engaged in work though I had help too. But, I really enjoyed the full time motherhood when I got my son. I'm still engaged in some legal work, but make sure be at home before my kids return from school. I won't say women should not work as it depends on the individual. But, at the same time we should not neglect our children as there's no substitute to a mother's love.

Q: Your future plans?

A: I like to join the Women-in-Need (WIN) and give my support to women who have faced injustice both at home and in society.

I hope my legal knowledge and ability to listen to others would help me to render a better service to such deprived women who are psychologically stripped due to many reasons. Apart from that, I'm involved in many religious activities including lending a hand in re-construction work at Galgoda Viharaya, Panadura. I also help out children's homes and so on.

Pix: Chinthaka Kumarasinghe