Four-Month Remembrance of Professor Romaine Ingrid Fernando Her passion for research on oncology led her to ignore the risks

All we got to know was, Romaine Ingrid Fernando, a past pupil of HFC Wennappuwa had fought a two-year battle with Autoimmune Disease before she bid goodbye on February 20, 2021, a month before her 53rd birthday, in Washington. Being exceptionally talented for researches in oncology, her passion for the tasks assigned to her, led her to ignore the risks involved. She indeed casually talked of the dangers when getting exposed to radiation. However, none of us believed the risks meant to be real, until she suddenly bid goodbye to all her loved ones.   
Her departure was like nipping a bud in the prime of her life. The reason is, Prof. Romaine Ingrid Fernando’s cancer-related findings were already proved to be revolutionary to all humans on this planet. Prof. Fernando’s numerous research papers appear under the most credible and prestigious institutions in the U.S.A. speak volumes of her contributions to the pursuit of a cancer cure, at international level.   

It was, in retrospect, a decisive period in this scholar’s life when her path got diverted after her first degree. Due to her par excellent performance at Peradeniya University, she was guided to switch her field from veterinary to medical science. She was able to do this when she won a scholarship to study in the U.S.A. while doing her researches in oncology.   

Despite her feats, she was the most loving wife, most caring daughter and the best sister her family always longed for. It has been three months since she has been called home by Our Lord. This is the only belief her family found solace in as Prof. Fernando was a Christian by faith.   

At the time of her bidding adieu, she was serving as a senior scientist among distinguished scholars hailed from reputed universities in the world. Prof. Fernando reached a pinnacle of success as the Health Scientist Administrator - Programme Officer at the Division of Cancer Prevention in Washington, DC in the Baltimore Area.   

She was an affectionate childhood playmate I loved, and our families closely knew each other for many decades. Prof. Fernando was a free-spirited personality who loved her husband very dearly. She was blessed to be adored by her loving husband, and it was her husband who was with her when she drew her last breath. Prof. Fernando indeed loved the whole world irrespective of stereotypes. She was loved in return by the most treasured humans she cherished. A few would be able to contribute to the betterment of this battered world as Prof. Fernando did. Prof. Romaine Ingrid Fernando’s name will remain among the most circulated medical research papers, while her simplicity and love kindle our hearts forever. …  
By Priyanjala Abeysinghe