Reputed Eye Surgeon Passes Away
Dr. D. B. K. De Silva, Consultant Eye Surgeon passed away on 31 May, 2025 after a brief illness. He was a Life Member of the College of Opthalmologists of Sri Lanka , obtained FRCS Ophthalmology qualifications in the UK at a very early stage in his career & acquired working experience in London, before returning to Ceylon.
He hailed from a family of Jewellery Manufacturers based in East Africa since or before the dawn of the 20th century, & until shortly after the 1964 Revolution, for over 60 years. His grandfather (DBT) established himself there along with other Ceylonese in the first instance & handed over the business to his father (DBR) , who set up a company under his own name. . Thereafter his uncle (DBM), a cousin (DDM) & another relative (GNE) who worked for his father’s company set up their own companies with his father’s assistance . All of them at some stage were Jewellers by Special Appointment to H. H. The Sultan of Zanzibar. They also displayed their exquisitely carved jewellery at International Exhibitions & won accolades.
His two elder brothers (DBA & DBS) also worked in their father’s company, & took over its management when his father returned to Ceylon in 1957. His only sister was married to W. T. Wijekulasuriya, a leading lawyer & upright politician, who was the Mayor of Galle for several years, a founder member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party & later High Commissioner in some East African countries.
DBK chose to continue his studies with his father’s blessings & the latter was in Ceylon at the time he passed out as a doctor. After his brothers & the sister left their ancestral home in Magalle, it was his mother, a gracious & deeply religious lady, who provided the love & inspiration for him to pursue his studies successfully.
He was educated at St. Aloysius College, Galle & Mahinda College , Galle. At St. Aloysius, he took part in many sports activities, including athletics, where he excelled in the 100 & 200 metres at the junior level. At Mahinda he played for the First Eleven Soccer Team. We were his friends at St. Aloysius from the Primary to the Senior Form & one of us continued our friendship through medical school & working life in Galle.
Both of us attended his wedding reception held in 1962 at a Reception Hall in the Boossa Racecourse premises, when he married Geetha , a graduate, daughter of Rex Wickremasinghe, a leading civil lawyer & Galle Coroner, with an unblemished record , for many years.
We were always in constant touch & it is difficult to believe that we will not hear his familiar voice over the phone anymore. He walked tall amongst men, humility was his strong point, and kindness to all was his weakness. He did not know the word ‘NO’. He was there for anyone of his friends in any crisis. When one of us was leaving for the UK, he helped in all official matters. His acts of kindness to friends, relatives & patients are too numerous to mention.
He leaves behind his wife, a son who is also a Consultant Eye Surgeon, a daughter, & grand children , all of whom looked after him with great love & care , during his last illness.
Dr. V. Venkateswaran in Sydney
K. K. De Silva in Colombo.
