Village stream,the 'culprit':

Two lives lost in the gushing waters

by Ananda Agalakada and M.T.M. Faiz, Hali-Ela Cor.

It was a gloomy day, of late the people of the Badulla district could not to see the sun's rays. The torrential downpour experienced almost all over the country has taken two more lives.

Princy Ryodya	Jenita Niroshani

The unceasing rain would bring about many disasters and calamities in many parts of the country.

Walikemulla Gorandiyawaka in Badulla is an extremely attractive village in that area. The little streams and glamorous lakes increase the picturesque environment in the village.

Princy Ryodya got used to playing fearlessly in the little stream that ran through the village with her friends. She was a care-free and playful little girl.

The eight-year-old Princy Ryodya from Walikemulla was a student at the Tamil girls' school in Badulla.

She was the eldest of two girls in her family. She was in grade four and had dreams of studying well. She tried to secure first place in every class.

Jenita Niroshani aged 37, was her mother and father was Roy Anthoni. Jenita looked after her daughter Princy and never wanted to leave her daughter under anybody's care even for a single day.

On this fateful day, Princy went to school and she attended the tuition class after school. While her mother and Princy were returning to their house they had to cross the stream which was close by.

According to Princy's father Roy, he had received a call from Jenita that they were on their way home. Roy had given instructions to them not to return home across the stream and to come over the bridge which was safe for people due to the torrential downpour experienced in the area.

Roy's wife did not heed her husband's advice and had decided to return home across the stream with Pincy. Although Roy looked for them he did not see after their conversation over the phone.

Roy realised something had happened to them and he rushed to his sister's house and then rushed again towards the stream with the neighbours.

While they were passing the community hall on the way to the stream they found the daughter's bottle of water and the cell phone which belonged to his wife.

Roy walked on the bank of the stream with his friends in search of his beloved wife and daughter. Going a bit further suddenly Roy was shocked to see the bodies of his dearest wife and darling daughter entangled in a bush on the bank of the river.

He could not believe his eyes and fainted seeing their bodies.

It did not take time for Roy to realise that his wife inspite of his instructions had tried to cross the stream and became victims to the gushing flood waters.

Meanwhile, with the assistance of his friends, Roy took the bodies from the bush and brought them to the Badulla hospital. It was unfortunate that Roy has been having a many plans for his studious daughter and for his wife whom he loved. But "alas" fate decreed otherwise and both of them were lost to him.