Remembering the Ranaviru
Tears stream through your eyes
when you see the Ranaviru Sevana disabled soldiers dancing well with
just one leg or without their hands. We take our whole body for granted
but what happens when you lose a vital part of your body in the name of
the country? With the craze of the elections sweeping Sri Lanka, often
people tend to forget our brothers who fought with their life and limb
at the battlefront so that we can roam freely in a terrorist-free
country.
 The charitable management of the Cinnamon Lakeside hotel had a
Christmas party for the Ranaviru soldiers recently and it certainly was
a memorable Christmas for everyone.
Speaking to the Sunday Observer was Coomerene Rodrigo, the hotel's PR
manager who said, "We are happy to do something like this for Christmas
because it is our Thank You to them for making our lives better." She
added, "The day before we had a great Christmas party for some of the
children of the Vavuniya IDP camp and they were just amazed at seeing a
swimming pool."
Coomerene said that we complain for the trivial things but when we
look at them, it is then that we realise how selfish we are. The hotel
has set an example for others to follow by bringing happiness to the
Ranaviru soldiers this season.
Corporal Lakshman lost his leg due to a land mine and says, "I'm
still not sure about what I would do in the future. My life feels like a
blur since I think I'm just learning to live without a vital part of my
body".
The Avissawella-born soldier is married and has a daughter who is
just a year old. "The good part about the Ranaviru Sevana is that we
have vocational training to undertake another career when we go back
home but the memory of war just comes back to us" said Lakshman.
 Another soldier, Kapila Bandara said that he loves to sing and dance
despite not having his right leg. "I am happy that we brought peace to
the country and being happy that we did it, is all the more reason to
live and move on despite losing a leg," he said with a smile. There were
many others who are creative artists and writers who wanted to do more
for their country even though they were at the Ranaviru Sevana.
The GM of the Lakeside, Neroy Marso said, "we should never ever
forget these people because it is they who have given us a peaceful
life." Further he commented, "Within our means, we do whatever we can to
bring a smile on their faces so I hope together, others will also help
the Ranaviru soldiers since they need love and acceptance in society."
After a cheerful night of merry-making, carol-singing and baila-dancing,
the soldiers retired to the Sevana with goodies for the rest of their
friends!
Text and Pix: Nilma Dole
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