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| Sunday, 16 March 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Sri Lanka to become a "twin country?" by ASIFF HUSSEIN Twins have never failed to capture the attention of humanity wherever they may be. Their striking similarity to one another has given rise to amazement, bewilderment and even confusion in a largely heterogenous world used to variety and diversity.
External appearances apart, twins are also identical genetically. They share the same genes and are the 'clones', so to say, of the natural world. Little wonder then that whole nations should have been obsessed with them. It is said that Prince Vijaya, the founding father of the Sinhalese nation was regarded as a twin, as was Romulus, the legendary founder of Rome. Twin country Twins will probably never have it better than here in Sri Lanka with plans afoot to make it 'twin country' if all goes well for Upuli Gamage, chairperson of the Twins Cultural and Development Centre based in Valavvatta, Boralesgamuva. Upuli along with her twin sister Chamali were instrumental in establishing the centre a few years ago which has since grown rapidly and presently boasts of a membership of about 7,000 twins from all parts of the country. Among Upuli's ambitious plans are winning special privileges for twins, establishing a twins cultural complex, declaring a national twin day and most importantly making Sri Lanka the International Twin Centre.So far much of the Centre's activities have been limited to its membership drive and the holding of the National Twin Festival held on August 23 every year. Last year's festival held at the National Youth Centre, Maharagama is said to have attracted over 10,000 persons including twins and their families. Among the special highlights of the festival were dance performances by twins dancing troupes, the singing of the National Twin Song (Jatika Nivun Geetaya), the launching of a Twins' website (Twins Cultural @itmin.com) and the presentation of a sannasa to the chief guest Minister Karu Jayasuriya spelling out the 13 demands which they hoped the government would grant them.
In fact, Minister Jayasuriya was so impressed with the show that he declared that although he had participated in so many festivals, the twin festival was by far the grandest he had ever seen. He also went on to say that the government should extend its patronage by undertaking the event in the future. The 13 demands include the proclamation of a National Twin Day on August 23, providing twins the right to study at the same school, providing them with special health facilities such as exempting them from the waiting list in cases requiring surgery, provision of free transport facilities, allocation of twenty government vacancies annually, giving preference to twins in vocational training and international scholarships, obtaining the services of twin dancing troupes for various national festivals and international events and the setting up of a twins cultural complex with lodging and theatre facilities for the cultivation of the arts. By far the most important demand of the twins is the proclamation of a National Twins Day on August 23 which is also the birthday of Upuli and Chamali, the founders of the Centre. Minister Karu Jayasuriya promised at the last twin festival that the government would declare a National Twin Day from this year onwards and the Social Affairs Ministry is said to be preparing a paper on the matter to be submitted to cabinet for its approval. Once cabinet approves the proposal, Sri Lanka would have the unique distinction of being the only country with a National Twin Day celebrated officially on an islandwide scale. But it does not end here. Upuli has more ambitious plans. She plans to make Sri Lanka the twin centre of the world. This she proposes to do by spearheading a movement to organise similar twin associations in other countries such as India where they do not exist and by organising an international twin conference involving twin associations worldwide. "But first", she says, "We must establish the National Twin day, for this will open the eyes of the rest of the world". The recognition internationally of Sri Lanka as a 'twin country' with its very own twin dance troupe, song group and sports club could also prove to be an added boost for tourism in the country, contends Upuli. Such a scheme could also benefit twins economically and uplift their families, she stresses. Special privileges Upuli's call for special privileges for twins as set out in the 13 demands has yet to be realised, though the government is said to be giving it some thought. However, won't this amount to discrimination ? Upuli thinks otherwise and contends that there is a difference. "It is a well known fact that twins are much harder to bring up than single children. The parents of twins have an added responsibility as they have two mouths to feed at the same time. Besides food, there are also other basic needs such as medicine and clothing that have to be met. Twins are also vulnerable to similar diseases, very often simultaneously. Many parents of twins, even among our membership, are known to subsist on a meagre income of Rs.2500 - 3000 a month which hardly suffices to make ends meet.In fact, as much as 80 per cent of our membership are unable to pay the annual membership fee of Rs.100 needed to cover the costs of correspondence etc. The payment of membership fees is however not a condition for membership as we understand the plight of twins hailing from destitute families in the remote areas. We must also bear in mind that twins have their own peculiarities. For instance, they do not like to be separated even for short periods. Thus there is a very real need for twins to be conceded some special privileges by the state", she argues. The Twin Centre has already issued special identity cards to its members which would entitle them to the privileges it hopes government would concede shortly. For example, twins seeking a bus ride or treatment in state hospitals have only to produce their special IDs for a free ride or swift treatment, explained Upuli. Upuli and her twin sister Chamali are professional dancers performing traditional Sinhalese dances and are part of the eight-member Twins Dance Troupe. The troupe has performed in Bangalore and Chennai and has been invited to perform in Seoul in July this year. The Jatika Nivun Geetaya or National Twin Song was also composed by two twins, Eranjan and Viranjan Perera who sing it at all twin festivals alongwith two twin sisters Jayani and Chaturika. The Perera Brothers have also composed another beautiful song Amma (Mother) which was first sung at the Nivun Avurudu Ulela held on April 27, 2001 as well as at the last Twin Festival on August 23, 2002. The song which is a special tribute to the mothers of twins for their love and sacrifice in bringing them up amidst much difficulties is also sung by Eranjan and Viranjan and with such feeling indeed that it brought tears to the many parents who participated at the twin festival last year. This year's Twin Festival to be held on August 23 at the Sugathadasa Stadium is billed to be the grandest so far. Besides attracting a greater foreign participation from countries like Norway, Sweden, Denmark, UK and the USA, an official announcement of a National Twin Day by the government is expected. |
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