Six doctors from one family - testimony to hard work

By Ananda Agalakada

It was the humble kerosene oil lamp which enabled a family to produce six doctors. The eldest Ranjit was the trailblazer. He wanted to be the shining light to his family. At the time he was studying, he did not have a desk or a chair or any other comforts that children of his age were blessed with.

His younger siblings were always making a racket inside the house but Ranjit never reprimanded them. He carried on regardless and just concentrated on his books studying for his advance levels in the science stream with the hope of passing with flying colours, not only for himself, but to set an exam to his nine younger siblings.

His father who was a mason worked hard to keep the home fires burning. He was recognised by the people as a skilled mason in Konkarahena. It is said he had trained over fifty people in masonry.

The father earned less than Rs 150 a day by engaging in masonry while the mother was always busy with household chores. However, the parents left no stone unturned to educate their children.

The Junior school hidden among the woods of Konkarahena about a mile from the main road between Matara and Middeniya in Hambanthota district was Ranjith's School. His father, Weerappullige Piyasena and Mother Wijayamuni Sandina sent their ten children to this school.

Followed by the example set by Ranjith who went on to becomes medical doctor the rest of the family members also passed out as graduates, marking a milestone for the village.

The family produced six medical doctors and the others also achieved great heights in their chosen fields.

According to the doctors of the family, they resided in Aluketiyawa Watta, Konkarahena, Kirama.

Their father was recognised by the people as a skilled mason in Konkarahena. It is said he had trained over fifty people in masonry.

The eldest in the family W.P. Nimal Ranjith Dharmakeerthi entered the medical faculty in Karapitiya. His brothers and sisters all followed the example set by their elder brother excelling in their studies and passing one exam after the other.

Life was tough for them at the beginning. According to the brother they went to school on numerous days without breakfast. But they never complained as they knew the hardships their parents had to undergo to feed and school them.

However, their father had always ensured that they had a decent meal in the afternoon with the meagre earnings he had for the day.

He was a strong man and worked tirelessly to uplift his family.He encouraged them to be self reliant and showed them the way to manage with what they had.

W.P. Ranjith Dharmakeerthi studied in Konkarahena Vidyalaya up to G.C.E. Ordinal Level and later he joined the Walasmulla Maha Vidyalaya for G.C.E. Advance Level.

After receiving MBBS degree from the Faculty of Medicine in Karapitiya. Doctor Ranjith has been a doctor at the accident ward. He is married with three children.

W.P. Nimal Dharmakeerthi studied in Konkarahena Vidyalaya up to G.C.E. Ordinal Level and later joined the Manthinda Pirivena in Matara for G.C.E. Advance Level. After receiving his BDS degree from the Faculty of Medicine in Peradeniya he worked in many hospitals in the country as a physician. He is married to a pharmacist and has two children. Doctor Dharmakeerthi presently Head of the Regional Dental Surgery in the Galle district.

Doctor W.P. Ananda Dharmakeerthi, 41, is the second in the family and he also studied in Konkarahena Vidyalaya up to G.C.E. Ordinary Level. He joined the Walasmulla Maha Vidyalaya for G.C.E. Advance level.

He left from the Faculty of Medicine in Peradeniya as a veterinary surgeon. He is married to a teacher and have three children. He is the Assistant Director of veterinary division in Uva Provincial council.

Doctor W.P. Nishantha Sisirakumara, 37, the fourth member in the family also studied in Konkarahena Vidyalaya up to G.C.E. Ordinary Level. Lather he joined the Katuwana Maha Vvidyalaya for G.C.E. Advance Level. He was selected to the Faculty of Medicine in Karapitiya. After he secured MBBS degree in that faculty presently he works as a MOI in the Central Dispensary in Warapitiya as well as MOH Katuwana hospital. He is married to a teacher and have two children. The 32-year-old Doctor W.P. Padma Kumari studied in Konkarahena Vidyalaya up to G.C.E. Ordinary Level. She joined Walasmulla Maha Vidyalaya for the G.C.E. Advance Level. After receiving the MBBS Degree from the Faculty of Medicine in Karapitiya she works as a Medical Officer of the Mental Health in Buttala Hospital. She is unmarried and resides in Konkarahena.

The youngest sister W.P. Lakmini Chintha, 26, is studying in the final year in the Faculty of Medical, Karapitiya.

Their father W.P. Piyasena passed away a year ago and the family members plan to have a medical clinic on September 29, at Konkarahena Junior Vidyalaya and give spectacles to the people to mark his first death anniversary.

The family is an example to others. They are a testimony to what dint of hard work can bring even overcoming the hardest of circumstances.