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8th November 1998

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The Army Seva Vanitha Unit sets out to provide houses for disabled soldiers. Hiranthi Fernando reports

A roof above


Image 1When Balavegaya II started in June '92, Sergeant Saman Kumara of 6 Gemunu was part of a special security group, 5SG, formed from six units at Vettilaikerni. Their task was to accompany the armoured tanks, walking ahead of them and clearing the way. If a tank got stuck, the men from this special group had to cover and protect it, until it could be moved.

The group of about 150 men started off on foot along with the tanks, ever alert for an attack. As they walked, the terrorists struck. The soldiers of 5SG leaped to the sides of the tanks as they were trained to do. Mortars rained on them. Three men were killed and two were hit in the legs. As Sgt. Saman Kumara was attempting to move an injured comrade to safety, he was hit. His leg had to be amputated. Fitted with an artificial limb Sgt. Saman now works at the Kuruwita Army Camp.

Sergeant Dharmadasa was in charge of the observation posts at Alaveddi in Jaffna. It was his responsibility to take the guards to the various observation posts. One night in November '93, he was returning to the camp having accomplished his task when he stepped on a 'batta' or small mine.

He lost a limb and was fitted with a prostheses. Having worked at the office in the Kuruwita Army camp for some time, he has got himself medically boarded out.

Lance Corporal Chandrasiri was injured by sniper fire in February '93 at Elephant Pass. After Elephant Pass was secured with the 2nd Balavegaya, Chandrasiri was stationed there. He was in a bunker covered by sandbags at a defence post in the dead of night.

"We had cleared 200 metres around the camp," Cpl. Chandrasiri said. "Beyond was the jungle. Since there was no electricity, it was pitch dark. We had a bunker placed at every fifty metres but since our strength was not sufficient to man every bunker, every other one was guarded. We had several newly trained soldiers on guard and they often fall asleep while on guard duty. Then the Tigers would creep in on their stomachs and slit their throats. I put my hand outside the sand bags and held up a light to see whether anyone was creeping in.

As I held up the light, I got a sniper shot on my arm. If I had held the light straight above my head, I would have got the shot on my chest."

Lance Cpl. Chandrasiri had bled profusely and been unconscious. A chopper from Pallaly was immediately summoned and he was flown to the hospital there. Next morning he was taken to Anuradhapura and then to Colombo where he spent four months in the Army Hospital. A nerve had been damaged and he now has restricted use of his hand. Presently, he works in the canteen at the Kotalawela Defence Academy at Ratmalana. He comes home to his young wife and 3 1/2 year old daughter every other night.

Sgt. Saman Kumara, Sgt. Dharmadasa and Lance Corporal Chandrasiri are three brave young men who have suffered injuries while fighting for their country. Their lives have changed as a result. Although they are mobile on the prostheses or artificial limbs they have been given, they are permanently disabled. They have lost the physical prowess they enjoyed. They now have to adapt themselves to their new circumstances and continue to lead their lives.

However, they have not been forgotten. For them and thirty other families of soldiers who have been killed or disabled in action, the Army Seva Vanitha Unit has built a cluster of new houses at the Wickrema Ranavirugama at Paradise Estate, Kuruwita. Within easy access of the main road, these new houses are situated in a scenic location, surrounded by grassy slopes and hills in the distance. The ladies of the Seva Vanitha have taken pains to ensure that these brave men and their families are provided with comfortable homes in pleasant surroundings.

The families occupying the houses appeared to be happy and content. The houses as well as the little patches of garden were being well tended. It was evident that they took pride in their homes. Each house is built on a ten perch plot. They have a spacious living area with a separate dining room adjoining it. There were two pleasant bedrooms with one bathroom and toilet and a sizeable kitchen. Some of the families were seen to be adding on a room or a verandah or enclosing the garden area. Among the occupants of the 33 houses, there were fourteen widows of soldiers killed in action, four soldiers in wheel chair, two with injured hands and the rest with an amputated leg. The majority of the families come from the Ratnapura area.

Image 2

Sgt. Dharmadasa, who was injured at Alaveddi, lives at the Ranavirugama with his wife and four year old son. They find it very convenient because his wife is employed at the Ratnapura Municipal Council. Dharmadasa takes his son to school each morning on his motor cycle. His son used to go to a day care centre at Ratnapura after school, but since Dharmadasa was boarded out of the Army, he brings his son back home after school. Four-year-old Hasitha had been very upset when his father had his leg amputated.

Among those who have lost their husbands is Kishanthi Anurudhika who lives with her five year old daughter Kaushalya in one of the houses at the Ranavirugama.

Kishanthi is the widow of Sergeant Kamastheru Arachchi who was killed in action at Chunnakam in Jaffna, during the Riviresa operation in '95. On the February 4, '96, Don Chandana Kumastheru Arachchi was awarded the Ran Sura Padakkama, by the President for distinguished conduct in the face of the enemy. "He died on November 10, 1995 and his body was brought home in a sealed casket," his widow recalled in tears. In a cabinet in the living room, Kishanthi displays a collection of photographs, certificates, medals, uniforms, a mini museum of personal effects of a young man who lost his life at 28 years of age.

Little Kaushalya dressed in Army uniform received the keys of the house from President Kumaratunga when the Ranavirugama was declared open on January 16, this year.

Kishanthi and her daughter live at Ranavirugama and carry on with their lives. She takes Kaushalya to school at Kuruwita, each morning by bus. Although Kishanthi is still deeply affected by the loss of her husband, she seems content living at the Ranavirugama in Kuruwita.

Transport is not difficult since the settlement is close to the main road. A Welfare shop in the complex supplies them with all their dry rations at a reasonable cost. It is only for their vegetables that they need to go to the town. She suggested that if the vegetables could also be sold at the Welfare shop, it would be a great convenience for them.

Kishanthi also appreciated the shrine room that was built on the complex for them. On the poya day each month, the families of soldiers killed in action hold a 'bodhi pooja' in their memory. This seems to give them all some comfort.

S. Basnayake, affectionately called 'Nittambuwe Akka' by her neighbours, said her husband, R.A. Ranjith has been Missing in Action since the Mullaitivu debacle.

"He was serving at Vavuniya and was sent to Mullaitivu three months before the attack," she said. "I have sent letters everywhere and notified the ICRC but I have had no news at all." Ms. Basnayake is the mother of three little boys, Udara, Pubudu and Dileepa, aged nine, seven and six years. She now spends her days caring for the children. She says she has no time to do a job since the children need attention.

Pvt. Abeyratne, a young lad of just 23, came hopping out on one leg to greet us at his door. He had cast his leg aside to relax after his lunch. Abeyratne had been injured when clearing a road at Thondamannar. His was the first wedding at the Ranavirugama. He married his 20-year-old bride Kamalwathie a month ago. Abeyratne is employed at the Kurunegala Army camp and comes to Kuruwita for week-ends and holidays.

For these thirty three families of soldiers killed or maimed in action, having the houses in Kuruwita gives them a sense of security. They are grateful to the Seva Vanitha for having provided them with this opportunity of owning a decent home. Mrs. Jayanthi Daluwatte, President of the Army Seva Vanitha Unit said that the families pay Rs. 1,500 per month on a rent purchase basis. This money goes towards a fund for building more houses for needy families of soldiers.

The Seva Vanitha collects money for the construction of houses through various fund raising events as well through generous donations given by benefactors. Although they had plans to extend the settlement at Kuruwita by building more houses, there is no more land available. A scheme of nine houses is nearing completion at Horana and twenty five more will soon be started on at Salawa Estate in Avissawella. In this way, the Seva Vanitha hopes to continue their work to provide some relief to families of soldiers affected by the war.


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