He stole her heart with A Kavi

Hemanthi talks of life with CDF Chief Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara:

"The `Verse' he writes for me is the most valuable gift my heart awaits to receive. More than the expensive gift he presents I value the few thoughts he pens for me which he has never fails to do for my birthday," says Hemanthi, the beloved wife of Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara, Director General of Civil Defence Force (CDF).

"I'm scared of his safety, and sometimes feel it would be better if he could be at home with me through out. But I know he is not only mine, but an asset to the whole nation. So, as every Service wife of this country I too pray for my husband, day and night," says Hemanthi.

Yes, indeed! The tremendous service that the servicemen like Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara has rendered to this country in many facets, is just tremendous. The dauntless steps Sarath has taken both as a Naval officer and an exceptional writer makes him unique.

While launching many incomparable Naval operations against the enemy- the LTTE; Sarath has done an extraordinary service as an acute critic of many issues affiliated with cinema. He has managed to obliterate many such lewd presentations which has been forwarded as `prodigious creations'.

"Sarath believes that strong steps should be taken to demolish the false attitudes of certain film directors and their supporters for trying to devastate the great name of our soldiers who sacrifice their lives for this country.

They even try to screen such films abroad. Once we happened to be in India and were invited for a special show of a certain Sinhala film subtitled in English. We were shocked to see what inaccurate things were featured.

The wife of a soldier also equally sacrifices her life, but in many of these films she has been degraded. In addition, there are some films which present unethical norms and values of the Sri Lankan culture.

There are things that we can talk about freely, but there are things we should not. Sarath believes that the destruction done by such so called 'great' film makers is greater than that of the LTTE, as through a film the reputation of a country could be slaughtered within a few hours when it is screened before an international audience," implies Hemanthi.

A soldier's life is always in danger and so as of a writer's. Especially a critic like Sarath who pens his bold thoughts frankly. Sarath has been trailing and sailing through both routes facing typhoons blowing in many directions. "Well, I'm a wife of a brave man who plays two dangerous games on behalf of the mother Lanka. I'm worried, but at the same time really proud for being the wife of such a man. He is a king and a god to me," says Hemanthi stirring with emotions.

Rajapakse Mudiyanselage Hemanthi Ekanayaka was born on July 19 in 1956 to R.M. Podi Appuhamy Ekanayaka, a building constructor and Don Wijesekarage Seelawathi Dissanayaka. Hemanthi was one before the last of nine children of the Ekanayakas.

"I had three sisters and five brothers. We lived in Battaramulla which was a village area though close to Colombo. I first studied at Ananda Balika, Colombo and then entered Gothami for my A/Levels," she says.

Hemanthi grew up in a secured background full of affection and care in a Buddhist cultural atmosphere.

"The religious background I had during my childhood really helped me to mould my character and also to face life challenges including life threats with 'Upekka' (moderate thoughts). I was not into sports, but used to take part in school dramas. More than my father, my brothers were strict with us. So, as my love affair with Sarath grew since I was a teenager, I had to be very careful," she laughs.

Hemanthi was about fifteen years then. Once she was playing Badminton with her younger sister in her home compound when the shuttlecock flew on to the house roof. Since none of her brothers were available at that time, Hemanthi got on to the roof and threw the shuttlecock down.

The house was adjoining a road, and she was shocked to see her timid classmate, Ramya with a tall guy walking along. Hemanthi laughed to herself imagining how Ramya could be caught for a `tasty bite' at school next day. So, on the following day, Hemanthi began the 'teasing' session. "No, he is not my boy friend, but my cousin brother, Sarath, an Anandian," said Ramya. However, Sarath who saw Hemanthi on the roof was ignited with the spark of love in his heart.

"It was my classmate, Manel who brought his love message to me. Manel, the matchmaker was our Bridesmaid too," laughs Hemanthi. The love message was wrapped and decorated with many 'Kavis' (verses) of his. Who would not get enticed to such flattery? So, this has been her first and will be her last love.

Both used go to the same school bus (Ananda- Ananda Balika) from Battaramulla to Maradana, and used to converse with their eyes. "He was a handsome guy. I felt so tiny before him, and was really shy. We used to 'see' each other at the temple, but rarely got a chance to exchange a word. When at the temple, he would come near, utter a word and quickly disappear as my people were all around me," she recalls.

Before the `love news' reached Hemanthi's place, Sarath's mother got it. Hemanthi was at Gothami when she got caught by her intended mother-in-law at the school premises. Mrs. Sumana Weerasekara was also a popular parent at Gothami as her daughters too studied at the same school.

She called Hemanthi under a Nuga tree, and inquired about the love affair with her son. Hemanthi who got cold feet denied at once. But, her mother-in-law was too smart. "I have spied on you a bit followed you to the bus halts to find out how you behave and so on," she said. However, Mrs.Weerasekara sounded quite positive about her to-be-daughter-in-law who was still a 'kid'.

Sarath Piyananda Weerasekara was born on October 29 in 1951 to a Chief Jailer, Mendis Weerasekara and Sumana Weerasekara, as the fourth of their six children (two sons and three daughters). The Weerasekara brothers were shining stars at Ananda College.

Major General Ananda Weerasekara who rendered a great service to the country with the Sri Lanka Army was a social worker for so many years, before he was ordained as Buddhangala Ananda Thera in May last year.

Sarath was a School Prefect, Cadet Sergeant, athlete (under 17- champion) and a representative of the National Youth Soccer team. Apart from that he excelled himself as a poet, writer, singer, musician and painter.

Sarath got through his A/Ls in the Maths stream, and was selected to the University in Physical Science. His desire to join the Forces became more intense as his elder brother (Ananda Weerasekara) was in the Army.

Sarath decided to join the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN). So, on August 1 in 1971, young Sarath Weerasekara signed at SLN to give his life for the gallant services to protect the sea border of mother Lanka. He got his first training at Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee, and had gained training abroad including the Staff Course at the Naval Staff College in Rhode Island, USA and the National Defence Course at the National Defence College in New Delhi, India.

In 1990, Sarath was 'Sri Lanka Navy Ship Edithara' at sea at Velvatithurai, Jaffna when the vessel was attacked by three LTTE suicide boats. It was the first suicide attack a Navy vessel has ever faced in the history, which was vanquished successfully. Sarath was awarded the 'Rana Wiru Padakkama' Gallantry Medal for volunteering and landing troops at Pooneryn under heavy enemy resistance, who subsequently rescued his own men in 1993.

He was promoted to Rear Admiral on January 1, 2001. The biggest controversy he got himself involved was when he was the Commander Eastern Naval area in April, 2005. The incident was affiliated with the newly positioned Buddha statue in Trincomalee town which was being attacked by the LTTE terrorists.

The LTTE also launched a protest forcibly in the Trinco town by bringing down everything to standstill - closing down the shops, banks, schools, fuel stations and so on. The scenario continued for two days.

On the third day, though the area was not under his purview, Sarath took a drastic step to protect the Buddha statue by positioning Naval guard and then awakening the whole terrified dozing town back. If not for these actions the Buddha statue would have been destroyed and it could have led to another communal violence.

Immediately after this incident, Sarath was called back to Colombo and was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the SLN. He retired after serving the country for 35 years as the Chief of Staff of the SLN on October 29 in 2006.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara as the Director General of the CDF on May 4 in 2006. The CDF was earlier known as `Gramarakshaka Force' (started in 1985), and needed immediate revitalisation.

Captainising his novel vessel of duty, Sarath sailed his heart and soul strengthening the Civil Defence Force from 19,000 to 41,500. The new Captain encouraged his sailors by introducing a new uniform (that goes par with the other Forces) and gave them good weapons and training.

His vessel does not sail in the sea like when with the Navy, but around every nook and corner of the civil set up - remote villages, border villages, suburb and city. His cadre has been guarding the innocent civilians - Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims protecting them from heinous and monstrous attacks by the LTTE.

Apart from that the CDF is heading towards social and economic security of the threatened villages. With the advice of the Archaeological Department steps taken to protect archaeological sites of those areas.

Question: It seems he has no time for the family at all?

Hemanthi: Yes, of course! I really feel that as both our children are abroad at present. But I really appreciate his work.

Question: Let's zoom back to your love story.

Hemanthi: We got married on November 17 in 1978. Our function was held at Hotel Samudra (Taj Samudra). Sulochana, our daughter is now 28 years. She studied first at Sirimavo Bandaranaike and then at Visakha. Sulochana is a Speech Pathologist in the States, and studying for the PhD at California State University.

Our son, Sachithra became a Thabla Visharada at quite early age when at Ananda College. He is a third year medical student in Nepal. I miss my children, and prefer if they are near me, but console myself thinking of the betterment of their future. I love cooking and interior decor.

Apart from that I read a lot about Buddhism and believe in 'Kamma' and fate, and try my best to lead a virtuous life. I was an active member at the Navy Seva Vanitha from 1981 to 2006 and involved in social work fairly a lot. I hope to revive the CDF Seva Vanitha as well in the future.

Question: You accept Sarath is a national asset. How is he as a husband?

Hemanthi: Gentle giant, I would say. He is 5' 8" and I'm like a Liliput beside him. He has published three books so far (Noothana Paravi Sandeshaya, Sagaraya saha Gahaniya and Ven. Thotagamuwe Siri Rahula). He has included a lot of verses he has written for me in 'Sagaraya saha Gahaniya'. Anybody who reads them can get a good picture of how he feels about me (laughs).

We stayed in the Navy Bases in Trincomalee, Jaffna and Welisara. The best period we had when were in Trinco.

It was really enjoyable. Apart from that like other Service husbands, Sarath has also been away serving outstations and operational areas. Even now he is at home rarely. I still remember when our children were small, how he used to feed them reciting so many stories.