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| Sunday, 27 June 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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by Umangi de Mel Street people can be a common sight in any country and it probably is a thing that can never be rooted out. They deserve the sympathy and consideration of others because street life is not something you choose. K. Chandrasena, 39 wants to live...His right leg has been amputated, he's not penitent though. Due to the infection that took his leg a year ago, the left leg is now partially paralysed. Yet he wants to be on his feet again, to be independent, to win life. Someday....
"This place is fine", he smiles, "People are generous and kind to me." Confided to a wheelchair with a roof, which was of course donated by a kind soul, Chandrasena pleads mercy and begs for his daily sustenance from passers by. Fitting into the monotonous yet new style of life he's on the streets of Colombo trying to make ends meet, "I worked as a driver at the 'Holiday Inn' in '97, once I accidently stepped on a cactus which was poisonous enough to make me a cripple for life. They had to remove my right leg but the infection spread to the left leg as well. It was also paralysed but the doctors could give its strength back after some surgeries." Chandrasena starts work around 2 pm and leaves when he gets sick and tired of staring at the cemented walls of Thurstan College. "I stay at the Sri Lankarama temple in Borella. The chief monk who now me, has let me stay there but I don't take any food from the temple. I can look after myself...." According to him, the pavement has been his workplace for almost a year, "I was with my sister who died three months back. She was the one who fended for me ever since fate started playing games with my life. But after her death, I had to give up on the house and land which weren't ours anyway," he says and adds that there's nobody left in the world for him. He marvels at the changes that have taken place in his life during the past few years, "I was doing quite alright, but I guess I have to accept the changes," he sighs. Chandrasena earns about Rs. 150 per day, he says, "Sometimes people feel sorry for me and give big amounts of money. "Keshan" is a very nice sir who has helped in many ways. He bought me the wheelchair, and treats me well. Miss Subha from Dehiwela is another kind lady who looks after me. But I feel terrible to be dependant on them," he says showing discomfort and misery even at the thought of having to be at the mercy of others. "I've got to see the doctor at least once a month and medication costs quite a lot. Some rich folk roll their eyes at me. I just have to look in their direction and up go the shutters of their ship-sized vehicles. This wasn't a choice, in fact, I never imagined I'd be on the street causing discomfort to others. What I wanted was a stable life," but fate seems to have had other plans for him. Although earning a meagre living, Chandrasena doesn't sound bitter. Instead he speaks of positive things, "I want to start a business....I know I will not get a government job and I can't start a business with just Rs. 1,000. But I'm holding my breath cause I have enough faith. I've no intention to live like this all my life." Chandrasena says that it's not easy to stay out of trouble on the streets. "Once a guy came and asked if I'd like to join him to do drugs. I turned him down politely and told him what I thought about it. It's very easy to be driven to that sort of things, especially when you are in a situation like this but I don't believe in transforming yourself into something you are not, for money." Having spoken enough, he finally says that it's just plain weird to see how the 'lucky ones' who have their arms and legs in tact just don't seem to know what to do with their possessions. "They don't seem to realise what they're blessed with. It's shame that they dump all their money on night clubs in order to buy happiness. I hope they realise that the real definition of happiness is having a loving family and doing what's worth the while. As human beings we're all victorious. They've got riches, we haven't, that's where we've lost." |
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