God gave my wife and me the privilege of taking time off and spending a fortnight in Sri Lanka with friends. Dr Merle Fernando and his wife Betty, during their visit last year, invited us to their home. We took up the invitation and we have been here for a week. They both studied in CMC Vellore long before I joined that medical college.
Coming to Sri Lanka is like coming home for me. I lived in this country then known as Ceylon from age four till age fourteen. I completed my first seven grades of education here and returned to India to get into science courses in preparation for medical entrance.
Since my return to India for high school studies in 1959, I have returned to the island as part of vacation and leave privileges. My last visit was nearly twenty years ago.
It was a unique privilege to visit Divulapitiya, which changed out of recognition. I could not identify our old home. I went into the wrong house. An elderly gentleman who stood near the gate guided me to our old home. This house has changed but not too much. I could see my room and the room where my parents and siblings lived.
I also could see the campus where other houses have come up where there were mills and factories. I could also have a glimpse of the church which I attended.
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Our next destination was Fernando’s home in Kandy. We drove through the same pathway we normally took to reach Kandy. There was one particular stop, which we always did in those days. It was a small shop that made fresh ‘Tala Guli,’ or sesame candy. We stopped there and bought the famous candies for which this place was famous for many decades.
We reached the Fernando home, tucked in one of the hills opposite the University in Peradeniya. I never knew this part of Kandy existed. Looks like it is a relatively newer housing development area. Like most homes in this area, there are many fruit trees and flower plants of different shapes and colours, some of which I had never seen before. This is the beauty of Sri Lanka. We attended church, where I was baptised in 1957.
Recently, we heard about the shortage of many food items. Today, they are available in shops. The prices are somewhat comparable to India, except for some items. But this is available only for those who have the money. For the poor, several items seem costly.
We plan to visit Nuwara Eliya and later Mailapitiya, where the school I studied is situated. My brother and his wife also plan to be here next week, so we will spend some time with them.
Sri Lanka is a beautiful country. If at all you get an opportunity, visit this country and spend some time. It would be a worthwhile lifetime experience.
In my free time, I have been busy writing. I hope to share with you some of the information that I have gathered that may be of interest to you.
Rajaratnam Abel
Rajaratnam Abel 
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