The 'cycle' of life
Yasarathna Gamage, Anuradhapura Corr
 We all were beaten by 30 years of war. It took almost everything.
Thousands disappeared without a trace. Property lost is beyond
estimation. Even though we hear no gunfire the past memories haunt our
lives. Recently on visit to Kilinochchi we came across one of the most
emotional experiences. On the main road from Vavuniya to Kilinochchi
some 2 kilometres away from Kilinochchi there was an old man under a
Palu tree running a bicycle workshop without any shade.
|
Pumping through their life |
The air pump was leaning against the Palu tree, on the polythene
lying on the floor there were some tools. A rope was tied to one of the
branches with a hook to hang bicycles.
Nageshwaran, 53 could not speak Sinhala. It is a shame to mention
that we cannot speak Tamil. While we were taking some photos of this
'winkle' another elderly approached who could speak Sinhala. Without
hesitation we inquired about Nageshwaran. This is what we learnt. They
both had their shops under the huge tree. During the war time they were
destroyed and before two weeks of Prabakaran's death all the villagers
had been taken to Vishvamadu. Then they were rescued by the army and
taken to a refugee camp.
When they finally returned from the refugee camp their wealth had
vanished. Shells have taken their toll on their property. They had no
option. There was no money to build another shop. Nevertheless they
could not give-up living.
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A man fixing a cycle. Pictures by Kithsiri Wanasinghe |
Now he continues his profession under the tree. He carries the
equipment on his shoulders and takes them back in the evening. He earns
around 800 rupees a day and is satisfied with that. There is no hope for
Ganeshwaran to build a permanent workshop again.
"Now I am 53 and there is little more to live for," he smiled. It was
plain that there was much hidden in that expression. |
