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| Saturday, 26 June 2004 |
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Fulfilling FDB's dream of rural self-sufficiency by Afreeha Jawad
The press hounded him. The cinema abhorred him. This is all history now. Felix Dias Bandaranaike is no more and much water has flowed under the bridge since his death. Whatever wrath he may have been accused of inviting, while alive, is hopefully turning otherwise in death. His widow Lakshmi is at present putting the record straight. Today she gives of her time for public good through the Felix R. Dias Bandaranaike Memorial Trust, that initiated for the first time in Sri Lanka a Cat scanner for the early detection of sicknesses. This machine itself was Felix's dream turning to reality as one who missed out on it's services due to it's non-availability in Sri Lanka. Recalling her husband's words Lakshmi said; "Felix was keen that other patients should benefit from what he had missed and that's how the Cat scanner came in". According to Dr. Brechen, Professor of Oncology at Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge, had the Cat scanner been available in the country Felix's lung cancer could have been operated on after early detection. The Trust has not however wound up it's exercise with the Scanner. It has also set up a vocational training centre named after Felix at Pugoda in his Dompe electorate. The courses offered here are close to 30, ranging from computer studies, embroidery, welding and electronics to beauty culture, cake making, three wheel repairing and photography. According to trustee Baku Mahadeva, member of the former prestigious Ceylon Civil Service, and 4,000 students have gone through and are self-employed or work in some organization. Course charges says Manager, K. D. Nimal, is far less than in other places. The Centre's popularity has been attracted students from far off places such as Ratnapura and Hatton. According to Lakshmi, the locality's girls need not go through the hazzle of journeying to Colombo - come wedding time. From bridals to dressing up brides, including the catering, is all available over there where the girls are experts in culinary delights. Dompe's high suicide is also not without Lakshmi's concern. She even recalled her attempts in bringing round some belligerent students but without success. Yet, she has not given them up. "I still want to do something for them", said a concerned Lakshmi. All this apart, she herself has taken over the task of teaching English at the Centre. Being registered under the Ministry of Tertiary Education, the centre is now gaining more recognition. Asia Foundation has already contributed to the it's library. On Sunday, June 27 an exhibition will be held here bringing out the best in every student. Even the pre-school training department will have a stall. Students will be marked on their performance. Lakshmi also recalled the services of the late trustee Ranasinghe Perera. The Trust comprises Presidents Counsel H. L. de Silva, Sanjeev Gardiner, daughter Christine Bandaranaike, Harris Hulugalle and Lakshmi Dias Bandaranaike. |
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