The call of destiny kills innocent girl

By Ananda Agalakada

Does destiny play a role in our lives?. This is a question that baffles many . We mean education , employment, marriage, sickness and even death, are they all guided by destiny? Even minor instances and slight mishaps we face in our lives such as bumping into an old friend. Is every single step of our lives guided by destiny? These are the questions that keep revolving round the minds of many.

The following story about the tragedy that befell Madushani once again poses the all important question, ' Does destiny play a prominent role in our lives'?

Madushani's parents are in shock, her brother could not believe his eyes seeing the lifeless body of his sister. It was sudden, it was merciless. Death always is.

The 22-year-old Madushani Lakmali Adikari lived in Wonnakulama Malpanawa, Nikaweratiya with her parents and younger brother. Madushani's parents were farmers. Although poor they left no stone unturned to give a good education to their son and daughter.

Madushani knew the travails of poverty at an early age. However, she did not allow this to be an impediment to her progress. She kicked poverty aside mentally and tried to study as with determination to make a success of her life.

She first went to Halambe Junior school and studied up to grade five. After she passed the grade five scholarship examination with flying colours, she entered Mahasen Maha Vidyalaya in Nikaweratiya for higher studies.

Madushani worked hard and passed the GCE Ordinary Level and Advance Level examinations. She was a bright student and was well-known among teachers and students at the school. She had many friends in school and in the village as she was socially very active.

Her parents earnings were not enough to manage their daily necessities. Thus at an early age she began to work for a private company in Kurunegela to support her family and to earn money for her further education. She followed higher studies in the accountancy field with the hope of becoming a chartered account. They were a farming family and so they lived deep in the village. To get to the main road was a rather difficult trek . Madushani had saved up a bit and bought a bicycle so that she could reach the town fast.

On that fateful morning Madushani left home as usual on her bicycle to Kurunegala. It was her habit to worship her parents before she left for work and on that day too she did the same. However, her parents and she were not aware that this was the last time she was ever going to do that. This day was special for Madushani as she was going to sit the GAQ examination. So her mother had prepared Kiribath and when she left home her parents blessed her and wished her good luck.

Madushani began to ride her bicycle towards Kurunegala. However, unknown to her knowing death was lurking in the thick shrubs surrounding the road which led to the city.

She could only pedal her bicycle for one kilometre when a ' giant black rock' emerged from the shrub jungle ahead of her. Madushani did not have time to react. She was overcome with shock and became numb, she could not move.

She was able to cry out for help and that too only twice. However, a neighbour heard her feeble cries and rushed to the location.

But it was too late as Madushani's blood -soaked body was under the feet of a giant wild elephant which had been roaming the jungles of late.

Chandrani Somalatha of Aluthwatta Malpanawa Monnakulama too had heard the cries and she said, “Suddenly I heard cries for help and instantly knew it was Madushani as I knew her well. As soon as the cries were heard, four dogs rushed towards my house. They were rather anxious and were trying to convey a message.

It did not take long for me to understand that some unforeseen tragedy had taken place as I heard the sound of the elephant too. I ran in the direction of the commotion. But when I saw her body I knew it was too late. Her mangled body told the tale. The wild elephant had twisted the body with its trunk. I also saw Madushani's bag hanging on her shoulder”.

“Apparently the elephant has continued to trample her body. A three wheeler that was passing by stopped and the driver was attempting to do what he could.

Later other people from the neighbourhood gathered and chased the elephant away.

The people rushed to the scene and they found Madushani's bloodied , mangled body .

Fifty-two year--old Bandara Menika who was Madushani's mother was overcome with grief and shock and she said “Madushani's dreams and expectations are now destroyed. She will never smile again, she had a beautiful smile and she smiled at everyone no matter who it was”.

Villagers complained that there were many wild elephants in the jungle close to the village. Earlier in the week a child had been killed by wild elephants in the same area.

Following Madushani’s death, villagers organised massive protests demanding that the elephants be driven out. “ Earlier, the Director of the Forest Officer promised that they would drive away the elephants from the area . But they did not fulfill this promise. Now this is the result” a villager said.

The Malpanawa village was in grief. Many of Madushani's friends and relatives who came to her funeral said that Madushani was a persevering and talented girl but an elephant took the life of this innocent girl away .

She did everything within her means to improve the quality of her life and that of her family”, they said. Madushanis only brother said “I am alone without my sister.

She was always with me. She accompanied me on all my errands to the grocery store, bank, and post office. She helped me with my chores.

When she was younger she used to get down on her little hands and knees and imitated our mother cleaning the floor. Between chores I would read books to her, we would have a tea party or play with her dolls or swing.

Then we would snuggle close, and I would rock her and kiss her and put her down to sleep. She was part of everything I did, my best little friend. I miss her. I wish she was here”.