A feminine twist in Lankan politics

Inoka Samarawickrame

Kumari Balasooriya hailing from a political background studied the powers and responsibilities of a Governor from her beloved husband, North Central Province Governor Jagath Balasooriya. Being his personal secretary was a ladder to earn experience and knowledge on the subject.

Neranjala Pushpakumari born in 1949 was the seventh child in the family. Her father Muhandiram D.P. Rajakaruna was a landed proprietor in Kirindiwela and her mother was Lokumanika Manchanayaka. While she was studying at St. Bridget's Convent and Musaeus College, Colombo, she concentrated on her studies.

"My father wanted me to stay in Colombo to study well. I took up English, Sinhala, Political Science and History for my Advanced Level. At the hostel, everything was in a proper order and according to a timetable. But on some days when I felt lazy I pretended to be sick and avoided doing certain things.

My parents did not like me going to work but my mother was keen that I become a good housewife. Giving way to their wish I attended several well-known cookery classes in Colombo. I was also developing an interest in household work as my only sister was married," she recollects.

Kumari got married to a political science lecturer of the Colombo University, Jagath Balasooriya when she was just 21 years. Her marriage transformed the young housewife to a woman with a political passion.

"My father was a member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party since its inception. He was engaged in political activities along with the late Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and the President's father, the late D.A. Rajapaksa. However I stepped into active politics as a member of the SLFP after marriage. My father-in-law P.B. Balasooriya and my mother-in-law supported me throughout in this journey," she says.

After 1971 she moved fast on this road and became the Secretary of the SLFP's Women's Organisation in 1979 and then the Treasurer. During that time her husband was the SLFP Chief Organiser of Kegalle. She supported her husband while participating in development activities in the area.

Kumari works round the clock. She is capable of handling both her family and political life. "I worked day and night to bring back the party to its former state after it had been defeated. Today I'm proud to say that there is a significant female representation in every sphere of the country," she notes.

Does she believe that the new post is a jewel?

"No, it isn't. In fact it is a challenge. I firmly believe that the President appointed me to serve the people and not just to occupy the chair. He expects utmost service from every person. I have the passion to serve people and I know I can do it.

I have planned massive development projects for the Southern Province. I will put all my efforts to uplift the agriculture, handloom textile industry, homecrafts and the rural economy along with the Province's development," she says ambitiously.

Her husband being the North Central Province Governor lives there four days a week while she is busy with her work in the South. However it does not affect their family, she says.

"This is part of my life. When my son and daughter were attending school in Colombo, for five days I was with them and only for the weekend we used to come home to Kegalle. Now my husband is in Anuradhapura for four days and I'm in Galle. Whatever comes on my way I never neglect my duties as a mother or wife. I manage the house as well as the lands," she says.

She developed her leadership qualities in school as the leader of the English Debating Society, a prefect and a House Captain. She loves to maintain her garden and the surroundings.

"When I look back I was satisfied as a housewife. After marriage I determined to be contented with what I have. I admire simplicity and village life. I love music and Rukmani Devi, Pradeepa Dharmadasa and Nanda Malini are my favourites. Everyday, as soon as I wake up I meditate to bring my thoughts together. The only consolation and my wish is to die a conscious death," she concluded.

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Problems of the Thyroid Gland: The overactive Thyroid

Anushka Nanayakkara

Consultant Physician and Senior Lecturer in Medicine Dr. Senaka Rajapakse talks about the overactive thyroid a common condition related to thyroid among women.

What is overactive thyroid?

Overactive thyroid is known as hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis (a toxic thyroid). It occurs when the thyroid gland makes too much thyroxin and speeds up many of the body's functions.

What are the symptoms of an overactive thyroid?

Being restless, nervous, emotional, irritable, poor sleep and 'always on the go', tremor of the hands, losing weight despite an increased appetite, palpitations, sweating and a dislike of heat, more frequent passage of stools, shortness of breath. Skin problems such as hair thinning and itch. menstrual changes - often the periods become very light or irregular. Tiredness and muscle weakness may be a feature. A swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck (goitre) may occur.

Most people with hyperthyroidism do not have all the symptoms at the start. Symptoms usually develop slowly over several weeks. Since all these symptoms can be caused by other problems, it may be difficult to diagnose at first.

Are there any serious complications?

If untreated, hyperthyroidism can result in heart problems, especially a condition called arterial fibrillation where the heart rhythm becomes irregular and fast. The heart can become weak, and even the heart failure can develop. The risk of osteoporosis (weak bones) is also high.

If you are pregnant, you have an increased risk of developing some pregnancy complications. For example: miscarriages, eclampsia, premature labour, low birth weight, stillbirth, and possibly congenital abnormality.

How common is it?

About two in 100 women, and two in 1000 men, develop hyperthyroidism at some stage of their lives.

What are the causes of hyperthyroidism?

There are several. The commonest is Graves' disease. It is an autoimmune disease. The immune system normally makes antibodies to attack bacteria, viruses, and other 'bugs'. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system makes antibodies against tissues of the body. If you have Graves' disease, you make antibodies that attach to the thyroid gland. These stimulate the thyroid to make lots of thyroxin.

It is not known what triggers this. Graves' disease is common among women aged 20 to 40 years. In Graves' disease the thyroid gland enlarges, causing a swelling in the neck (goitre). Eyes are also commonly affected.

Eyes become more prominent and pushed forward. Thyroid nodules are another, less common, cause of hyperthyroidism. Thyroid nodules are lumps which can develop in the thyroid gland. They are usually non-cancerous, but contain abnormal thyroid tissue.

Certain nodules produce excess thyroxin, which does not respond to the normal controlling system of the body. Sometimes only one nodule forms. This is called a 'toxic solitary adenoma'. Or else the thyroid may become generally lumpy or nodular. This most commonly occurs in older people, and is called a 'toxic multi-nodular goitre'. There are several other rare causes of hyperthyroidism. Eye changes occur mainly with Graves' disease, and not with the other types.

How is hyperthyroidism diagnosed?

A blood test can diagnose hyperthyroidism. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is a hormone made by the pituitary gland in the brain. It stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxin. If the thyroid gland produces excess thyroxin the level of TSH in the blood will be very low. Alternatively the blood Thyroxin (T4) can be measured, and a high level of T4 confirms hyperthyroidism.

Next week: Treatment for hyperthyroidism