Deadly sea voyage survivor seeks help

Kalutara District Roving corr.

K D Mahesh Padmakumara of Bubulawatta, Karandagoda, Beruwala, the sole survivor among a five member crew of fishermen who drifted in their boat in the high seas for six months following mechanical failure after setting out from the Beruwala fisheries harbour is now forlorn and destitute without an alternative job to support his family whose main breadwinner had died several years ago.

Padmakumara who was detected and rescued by the Maldivian Coast Guard and later repatriated to Sri Lanka by Maldivian authorities said he had firmly decided to give up the fisherman's job after the most dreadful experience in the high seas.

"I am the third in a family of four. I have two elder sisters and a younger brother.

We lost our father during childhood and it was our mother who brought us up on her own till our youth. The two sisters are married and living on their own," he said.

But since I am now jobless we have to depend on one married sister for our upkeep. She cannot do this continuously due to her present financial plight. The owner of our boat too has refused to re-emply me saying he is now penniless," said Padmakumara lamenting about his family's plight.

He said the families of the dead colleagues were paid Rs 100,000 each as compensation by the Ministry.

"I have not received assistance so far. I am now in poor health after almost starving for nearly six months and doctors have prescribed me a health drink which is priced at Rs 1,140 per tin. Now I am surviving on soups and other liquids till I regain my appetite," Padmakumara said.

"We shall be much greatful if some institution or benefactor comes forward to provide me with a job to restart life and support my family. Any one wishing to help me can contact me at the above address."

Padmakumara said he knows his mother tongue well and somewhat fluent in Hindi and English as well.