The Decision

It was in 2009 September. I just completed my London A/L examination. I managed to pass with three C's in the science stream in Biology, Chemistry and Physics in my first attempt. Since childhood I was fascinated by science especially the science of the human body. I always wondered why people fell ill what can be done about it. This inspired when mom fell ill complained about something wrong. The words 'gastic', 'migraine' became familiar household nouns which intrigued me. Hence I chose medicine for further studies. 

My parents never forced me to do anything. I had my free will since preschool to date. My father is an Electrical Engineer and mother is a business woman managing her own company. They probably wanted me to pursue engineering which was not to be. 

At school I was not well known my studies. I enjoyed playing football and assumed the role of senior prefect. I never highlighted in studies nor sports and was happy to be an 'average' Joe. 

The school did teach the science subjects that required to gain entry to state medical college. However I was not inclined to study for the GCE A/L examination to be in 2010. The A/L examination in Sri Lanka is highly competitive and gaining entry to medical college was considered the greatest achievement for an A/L student due to the very limited intake. This repelled me and I chose to do London A/L examination. I found the syllabus taught in was quite relevant and examination was more to test the knowledge rather than making competition. This decision was the beginning of an incredible journey which I never envisaged. 

After getting the A/L results in 2009 I realized that I was an year ahead compared to my peers in school who were sitting for Local A/L exam in 2010. Hence an the door was open to pursue university education. However I was not able to gain entry to state medical college which provided free education. The burden was suddenly upon my parents. 

I looked for opportunities abroad including Bangladesh, Nepal and Georgia to pursue medicine. I did happen to go for an interview to apply for Medicine course in Bangladesh. But fate had other ideas. 

In Malabe, a new building was under construction for a medical faculty. The opening intake to be scheduled in September 2009. The name was South Asian Institute of Technology and Management (SAITM). The brochure mentioned they offer medical degree MD Russia with the affiliation of a Russian university named Nizhny Novgorad State Medical Academy. It mentioned 4 years in Sri Lanka and the final year in Russia. My mother wanted to explore this option. I was excited to see the new medical faculty which happened to be a private medical college. 

I filled my application and waited outside. The building construction was ongoing and the sounds of the wheelbarrow and cement mixing was filled the background. Moments went by and I was called in for an interview. There were 3 people waiting in the board room whom I was formerly introduced as Prof. Shanti Goonewardene, Dr. Keerthi and Mrs. Hussain. I vaguely remember they asked if was ready to join. Without blinking I said 'Absolutely' not caring for what holds in the future or if it was affordable for my parents. The total fee was Rs. 5.5 million. Not understanding the gravity of the decision I just said I really want to join SAITM. It took my parents by surprise and there was no idea on how to find the money. My mother said 'if Shane wants it let's somehow find the money'. 

Such was the beginning of my future or an adventure of a lifetime.