Lighting his way through Darkness

Anuradha Abeysekera

Dharmasiri has never seen the beauty of this world through his eyes as he is blind by birth. The thirty - two year old is the third and youngest of a family with his older brother being blind as well. Only his sister remained without congenial disorder.

Born in Ampara to poor parents, life had never been fruitful to Dharmasiri without his sight. After his father’s demise, his mother sent him to the Rathmalana Deaf and Blind School. There he studied up to his Ordinary Levels while his mother and sister were taking care of his brother in Ampara.

After passing out from the school, Dharmasiri got a job in a private company at Sapugaskanda. He was quiet happy with the Job as he was making his living and sending some money to his mother. After a few years, Dharmasiri’s siter got married and went to live with her husband in Matara. But ill-fate never let Dharmasiri be free for long.

One day while he was crossing the road with the white cane in his hand, a motorcycle had run over his feet, damaging both legs.

He was admitted to the Kiribathgoda hospital and later transferred to Ragama and from there to the National Hospital. He lost his job and spent nearly one year in hospitals. The wounds on his legs never seemed to be cured due to varicose veins and Dharmasiri’s health began to decline day by day.

Then, one able good hearted person came to help Dharmasiri. He is a well known businessman in Kadawatha. He took Dharamasiri to his house and provided him with medication, food, shelter and everything. With this kindness, his left leg recovered fully. But then to his misfortune, the businessman’s mother fell ill and he had to take her abroad for treatment.

In that juncture, Dharmasiri gave a thought to get back on his feet as he never wants to be a burden to this good person anymore.

But he always remembered the good businessman as a God who helped him walk again.

He put on a bandage into the wounds with pus on his right foot and went to the National Lotteries Board at Kollupitiya. After listening to Dharmasiri’s story they gave him a job as a lottery seller. From then on every morning, Dharmasiri came to the Lotteries Board to collect the tickets.

He used to sell the tickets between Kollupitiya junction and Liberty roundabout. Soon he became a good friend to many of the lottery board employees. They have been very helpful to him.

One evening when Dharmasiri was at Kollupitiya, a shameless person stole his money and tickets. Poor Dharmasiri had nothing to do but loudly cried for help but no one came to his aid and the thief escaped.

A Tamil lady who saw this incident came to Dharmasiri and sympathized and gave him Rs.2000.

There was more than Rs.3000 of money and tickets with Dharmasiri at the time of the robbery. He went back to the lotteries board without a clue and spoke to his friends. They rushed to help him and took him off the hook. Recently, Dharmasiri’s phone which he got as a present from an employee of Lotteries board had been stolen in a private bus between Pilyandala and Kottawa. He lost contact with many people who helped him after he lost his phone.

But Dharmasiri was never discouraged by any of these bitter experiences. Even today you will find him in the road with a white cane, selling lotteries to make his living and for medications.

One day an employee in a hotel at Kollupitiya saw his wounds with pus and took him to Dr. S.N. Jayaratne at Asiri hospital. The doctor investigated into the Dharmasiri’s wounds without charging a fee and decided to do an operation for varicose veins. The operation and medications have been estimated to be around Rs.75, 000 even though it is to be done without doctor’s charges.

Dharmasiri has collected some Rs.14, 000 with his savings and help of his friends. He deposited this money to the Sampath Bank account number 103453412143 at the Thimbirigasaya branch which he has opened with regard to this operation.

He appeals to the public to help him in his operation. If you are willing to help Dharmasiri, you can call him on 0770668594. At present he lives in Makola at No.183, Dewala Road, Makola North, Makola.

The people of this house look after Dharmasiri with the help of Makola Piyaratne Thera. He appreciates the help and care they rendered him in this difficult hour of his life.

There is a great story of courage and spirit of man kind behind Dharmasiri. Even though fate has never been good to him, he had never given up on his life and never willing to live depending on others. He only needs your help to cure his leg. His voice was clear when he said, “I don’t like to be a burden to anyone.

There are private and Government institutions that have offered jobs to disabled. I hope to find a better job after I recover from my operation.

I like to thank all the people who have helped me. With the help of many good hearted people, my hopes are still bright”.