A Tribute to My Beloved Friend – Inba Kumar Fernando – By Desmond Corteling
A friendship that spanned nearly six decades — how does one begin to describe the quiet strength, the enduring warmth, and the golden glow of a bond like that?
I first met Inba when we were just young boys beginning our journey at St. Peter’s College in the Lower Kindergarten. From that moment on, we shared not just schoolbooks and playgrounds, but an entire chapter of life that shaped the men we would become.
St. Peter’s was more than a school to us; it was a second home. We grew up in its classrooms and corridors, side by side through our junior years, Ordinary Levels, and Advanced Levels. Even in those early days, Inba stood out — not only for his intellect and gentle nature but as a gifted athlete. He was a star in our college relay teams, earning laurels for Maurice House with grace and ease.
WE WENT DOWN DIFFERENT PATHS
After school, life led us down different paths. Inba pursued medicine in England, ultimately returning to Sri Lanka as a respected and accomplished cardiologist, serving at Sri Jayawardenepura Hospital in Kotte. Later, even in retirement, he continued to offer his care and wisdom at private hospitals in Colombo. His dedication to healing others never dimmed.
Over time, what began as schoolboy camaraderie quietly matured into a deeply-rooted friendship based on mutual respect, understanding, and affection. Though there were periods when life drew us apart as we chased education, built careers, and crossed continents, we always found our way back to each other.
STAYING CONNECTED OVER THE YEARS
In those pre-digital days, staying connected meant effort, patience, and intention. And we did just that. Whenever I returned to our beloved homeland, Inba and I made it a point to meet — precious reunions filled with laughter, shared memories, and long conversations about friends, family, and the lives we’d lived. Our last meeting, in October 2023, was no different: heartfelt, joyful, and, unbeknownst to me, a final gift.
Inba was everything a friend should be: sincere, thoughtful, compassionate, and unfailingly kind. He had a rare gentleness that touched everyone who knew him. He was a loving husband to Marie and a devoted father to his cherished daughter, Navindri. His pride in her was boundless, and the bond they shared was as deep as it was enduring. His love for his family was unwavering and pure.
YOUR PRESENCE WILL ALWAYS LINGER
As I reflect on our long friendship, I do so with immense gratitude. Thank you, dear Inba, for walking alongside me all these years. For the joy, the quiet support, the good-humoured banter, and the unspoken understanding that true friends share.
Now, the curtain has gently fallen, and the stage feels emptier without you. But your presence lingers — in memory, in spirit, in the many lives you touched.
Rest well, my dear friend. You were truly one of a kind.
May you find eternal peace.
