Shoved from pillar to post and dumped on the pavement
by Afreeha Jawad
Politics invade the pavement
Pix by Ruwan de Silva
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From fruits to vegetables, from the pavement hawker to some office
worker no one and nothing is spared the pain and anguish of
politicization. Sri Lankans continue to be one of the most highly
politicized communities whichever government in power and if allowed to
remain that way, would not augur well for the future.
Take for instance the goings on in the aftermath of the Borella Podu
Welenda Sankeernaya or popularly called 'podi market' reconstruction.
Its rebuilding under one regime was much to the benefit of another. It
couldn't have been better said other than through the expression coming
off an anonymity insistent vendor who said:
"Kaandayamak Haduwa. Thavath kaandayak Beduwa!!"
A reminder of what Nehru had to say;" There are two types of people
in the world. Some who do the work and others that take the credit.
Listening to the vendors was heart-rending many of whom were earlier
into brisk business in the market's old building who looked forward to
moving into their new allocation and environs following rebuild. But
surely that was not to be.
Business could be brisker with more contentment |
As political destiny would have it, the units within the new
structure were the privileged deposit of well-to-do political henchmen.
Sources also point out how even underworld gangs have been given stalls
in many instances while denying the long-standing vendor populace
within.
Premathilaka (61 yrs) from Kataragama, a seasoned vender whose
pavement life extends well over forty years was in tears ("Mata podi
market eken bim angalak labune nehe. Deshapalanaya keruwanan mata meka
wenne nehe."
(I didn't get an inch from the rebuilt Podi market and here you find
me on the pavement. But if I was into politics I certainly would have
been a 'choice pick'").
Premathilaka, a father of four children is into managing his home in
the absence of his late wife. L. G. Premadasa (51 years) is saddled with
a different problem, having to look after his daughter's children. He, a
fruit trader striking commonality of expression with Premathilaka said:
"Mamath Parana Podi Market Eke Parana Minihek. Ithin Deshapalane
Nokarapu Hinda Maava Kon Una. Athule Inne Okkoma Deshapalana kaarayo
thamai."
("I too am a long-standing vendor. Had I taken to politics, I too
would have been given a stall. All those that got stalls were into
politics").
Suneetha and Bandula, the fruit selling duo holding a 30-year track
record disclosed a unique digression. Opposite this now rebuilt rather
controversial market is what is called the 'Pavement Park'.
Though designed to accommodate the 'would be misplaced' - not even
here did anything come their way. The pavement was 'pre-ordained' to be
their permanent abode. Today even that 'Pavement Park' is abode to
political lackeys.
An irate Amaradasa (54 yrs) twenty years in vegetable disposal,
crying out his heart, nerve and sinew said:
"Dan Mata Jeevethe Epawela. Duk Vindala Hamba Karapu Thena Nathi Unaa."
("I am sick of life. That little spot where I earned my living is no
more.") Padmini also bemoaned discrimination even seeing the rebuilt
market's present plight as the famous dog in the manger story. The place
now has stalls completely shuttered up. "No, they wouldn't even try to
give these to us instead of keeping them closed all the time," she said.
According to Priyanthi, another political dislodge shoved on the
pavement yet another longstanding vender in the 'old podi market',
earlier there were around 40 entities but after reconstruction the
market has around 100 shops. "Kiyala Wedak Nehe Apata Una De" she
lamented.
"No point talking of what happened to us".
Making matters worse are the police that come and order them out.
Though overwhelmingly disgruntled at whatever confrontation brought on
them as they pull through the day, they are also not unmindful of
whatever inconvenience the public face, truly the pavement is
pedestrians' territory.
Yet the evergreen accommodative Sri Lanka spirit particularly among
those not evolved is most vibrant as both pedestrians and vendors
co-exist neatly. Business is brisk. You name it it's all there. The
Ammes whom I thought to be a dying generation are still around not to
forget the kadale cart now under the charge of some other. The faces
that stood behind this mobile entity are now long past paving the way I
believe for the next generation.
"So there it goes, the pathos, the anguish and pain of more than 40
vendors both men and women - all victims of political misdoings now
spending their days along Danister de Silva Mawatha with the pavement -
their permanent abode.
As the tortuous sun sends out its burning rays and the torrential
rain beats hard against their burnt barebodies, the will to survive
remains untempered - a story akin to the old oak.
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