Sheela Wickramarathne:

A cut above the rest

By R.S Kumarasinghe

It is a common trait that when people reach a certain stage in their career they begin to mellow and rest on their laurels. Only a committed few would keep on trying to achieve something higher for the sheer joy of it. Sheela Wickramarathne falls into the second category of people who would never say die. She is full of zest to perform what she thinks would entertain and enlighten others.

Sheela Wickramarathne

Wickramarathne is an irrepressible journalist who has her roots in Pituwala, a hamlet off Elpitiya in the Galle district. During her time girls were not expected to excel in studies and seek employment. They were supposed to learn how to cook, sew and look after their husbands and children. However, her father encouraged her to pursue higher studies very much against the wishes of other elders in the family.

At an early stage she felt that ink was running in her veins. She could not suppress her urge to write poems, short stories and feature articles. Without trying to write for adult readers, Wickramarathne opted to entertain young readers with her poems and short stories. To her surprise, she got an opportunity to edit the children's page of the now defunct Jathiya newspaper way back in the 1940s. Later she started contributing her poems and short stories to Kamala Lama Samajaya of the Silumina weekly. She also contributed regularly to the Lama Pituva (children's page) of the Dinamina newspaper.

Talking point

When a write-up about her was published in the Dinamina newspaper, it became the talking point in her home town, Pituwala. It was at that time she was selected to follow a degree course at the University of Peradeniya in 1963. With her admission to the university she began to hone her skills for a literary career.

Once the young undergraduate's attention was drawn to a novel writing competition sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). She lost no time in submitting her script of the Sinhala novel titled Sihinen Gae Suvanda. Fortune smiled on her when the UNESCO selected the novel as the best entry.

Eventually, Sihinen Gae Suvanda was printed bringing her fame and a little income. Thereafter, the novel has run into many editions. After graduation, Wickramarathne became a full-time journalist at Lake House and worked for Navayugaya, Janatha, Tharuni, Dinamina and Subasetha. While performing her duties as a journalist, she took time off to write a book on literary values in Sinhala.

The book titled Purathana Sahithyaya traced the literary tradition from the Anuradhapura era to the Kotte period. The brisk sales of the book encouraged her to write more books on similar subjects. Up to now, she has authored Nupan Kusal (short story collection), Gnanawathiela Vaedata Gihilla (poetry), Pin Nethi Gana Devi (novel), Pas Kandata Yatavu Minissu (novel), Okkoma Rajavaru (novel), Aevidda Paya Dahas Vati and Sayuren Eha.

In her university days, Wickramarathne was an active member of the Sinhala Literary Society and other cultural organisations. Apart from literary activities, she took a keen interest in social service projects. At present, she works as the secretary of the Prisoners' Welfare Society. Shortly after the tsunami disaster in 2004, she and her co-social workers visited Hambantota to see how rural people coped with the unexpected calamity.

Tsunami victims

In the process of helping tsunami victims, she had to encounter a major challenge: How to empower widows who had no income or skills. As a result, she spearheaded the Rural Women's Foundation (RWF) which launched a number of skills training programs for the rural sector. As the only available raw material in the area was coconut husks, the RWF trained the widows to make coir ropes and mats. Soon the project became a huge success. After her retirement as a journalist, Wickramarathne dedicated her life to social welfare activities. She was actively involved in Women's Empowerment Programs in rural areas. She takes a keen interest in the welfare of female prisoners and their children who have been victimised for no fault of theirs. She is also engaged in the education of youth and rehabilitation of drug addicts. Another project close to her heart is conducting classes for marginalised women.

Wickramarathne's contribution uplift the standard of street children has been greatly appreciated. Once she accompanied a team of volunteers who sought the release of prisoners-of-war held in detention by the terrorists for more than ten years. She also participated in talks with the terrorists together with a group of mothers at the Madhu Church. Her dedication to social service activities was finally recognised by the Lions Club International (District 306 A) which gave her the Most Outstanding Citizen Award. Sheela Wickramarathne's mission in life continues without expecting anything in return.