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| Sunday, 30 May 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Vijitha's tale of woe : Shattered lives by Lakmal Welabada Samanthi and Vijitha entered wedded life in 1991, secure in their love and hopeful of a happy future with plenty of blessings. Soon they became parents of two healthy boys, and though poverty was their constant companion, they led a happy and contented life. But fate struck a cruel blow in 1996 when Samanthi contracted Japanese Encephalitis (JE). Their younger son was only a few months old, and overnight their happy and contented lives turned into a horrendous nightmare, which continues even today. Surgeries JE made Samanthi a paralysed neurotic. And this was compounded by further tragedy when she was diagnosed with womb cancer and was compelled to undergo two painful surgeries. Vijitha, who earned a meagre income as a hotel labourer and supplemented it by making paper bags late into the night, became the sole carer of the fragile family, becoming breadwinner, nurse and nurturer all roled into one.
The elder son who is now 11 years old, tries his best to protect his 7-year-old brother and himself from their mentally unstable mother, who has two extreme unpredictable natures - that of loving them and hating them.Not so long ago Vijitha and his small family were living in a rented house at Kahawatta. But as he had not been able to settle the rental for quite a long period, due to the turmoil in the family, they had been asked to vacate their home. Turmoil Now Vijitha with his wife and two sons live in a small cadjan hut at Jambugahakotuwa, Kahalla, Katugastota. As there's no one to look after his wife or children Vijitha was compelled to give up his job. Now he makes paper bags at home and sometimes works until 3 or 4 am, till his eyes burn and his face gets swollen. Such days when people see his swollen face at the boutiques, where he distributes the paper bags they ask whether he has had too much to drink the previous day. Vijitha who is a teetotaller only nods and smiles innocently, as he has no intention of getting into unnecessary arguments and creating more problems. The money he makes from the paper bags is not enough to meet the needs of his family and the heavy cost of medical treatment for his wife. Samanthi needs to undergo another operation if her life is to be saved. The two boys have been enroled at the Kahalla Kanishta Vidyalaya (Kahalla Junior School). Vijitha tries his best to be a good father to the children while looking after his retarded wife. The children get very upset when they see their father sick. "Thatha Apiva Dala Merenne Ne Neda? (Father, you are not going to die and leaving us alone, are you?)," his younger son had once pleaded with Vijitha when he was down with fever and could not get off from the bed. Orphans "They are always worrying about me. I love my sons. They are the only hope in my life. Some have asked me to send the children to a Home. But, how can I do that as I am still living in this world. The children are also very attached to me. they are not orphans," says Vijitha in tears. Vijitha has a sister and a brother. But they are also not in a position to help him or his family. He has sought all avenues of help, but no avail. No one seems to believe him. "People think I am lazy, pretending and lying. But I am telling the truth, and I don't know what to do. Sometimes I fell like committing suicide. But at the same time, I think what would happen to the future of my small one if I do such a foolish thing?," he asks. If there is a Good Samaritan looking for a worthy cause to lend his/her assistance, Vijitha's plight does certainly qualify. He can be contacted through his sister. Vijitha Rodrigo, C/O Mallika Rodrigo, No.98, 'Mayura', Kehelwala, Kiribathkumbura. |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
Sometimes when Samanthi was in deep depression, she ill treated her two
sons often taking out her anger, frustration and fear on them. And often,
it was the younger son who bore the brunt of her depression induced
attacks. Once she hit him on the head causing serious injuries that
required hospitalisation. During the attack the boy cried pleading for his
father's protection. But, Vijitha was not at home at that time. The
neighbours who heard his painful cry had to rush in and take him to
hospital.
