Hypnotized by memories!

Chapters taken off bona fide situations:

Though deals with subjects of frequent occurrence and universal concern, M.T.Lilamani Ebell looks at them with a fresh view. She differs significantly from the monotonous stereotype story telling and re-producing anecdotal accounts. Rather they are leaves from real life and her stories are peopled with flesh and blood and dialogues are anim ated and tailor-made to suit the characters and their social status. Christine took back the photograph and prepared to depart. At the door she looked back." You know, Nonna". She said "they say 'kaduwa danawa' whenever we speak in English. They say we use it like a weapon to dominate over them" she left. I touch The petal soft skin, Admire the purpose and the maturity, Experience the tilt of scale Creating common ground -

All adults now- Her poetry is as evocative as her prose. They are the memoirs in verse and would test the time. It is no wonder that her writing won the universal admiration of not only her friends in the literary circle Wadiya group of writers but also of readers. She won the state literary award of 2008 which is a symbol of recognition and zeal of quality. Veteran writer Sita Kulatunge commenting on her writings says "In the prize-wining short story 'Shadows', M.T.L Ebell presents a fresh view of a theme much written about and of universal interest. What is remarkable about that it is differs significantly from the stereotype".

Q. Winning the coveted State Literary Award is perhaps, something that came as the recognition of your literary talents by Sri Lankans at large. It is also an occasion where you can look back on your literary career. How did you manage to pen short stories and poems whilst being a busy housewife?

A. Winning in the category Best Short Stories published in 2007 at the State Literary Awards 2008, is a great honour and I am indeed grateful.

When our family was very young, it was not possible for me to write much.

However, writing humorous articles about family life was something I liked to do. Some of these were published in ( the Sunday Times) newspapers under the titles "Motherhood with a Pinch of Salt"; "Me and my Midlife Crisis" and "Love, Life and the Neighbourhood". As the family grew up, however, blessedly, there was time to scribble when the urge and the inspiration drove me.

Q. The short story "First love" describes uneasy experiences that a girl in a conventional upbringing encounters when she enters into wedlock often with the blessings of the parents. This story nevertheless reflects your time and compared with your teens, are you of the view that girls in this milieu would also face the similar situations?

A. *First Love is a story to be read on more than one level. I have used, among other things, the appearance of the conventional 'match' to bring out a different type of ''first 'love''. In fact the first love that most human beings would experience.*

*To address your question- arranging marriages is an on going social practice and some girls ( and boys) might experience unease.*

Q. "Peeping Tom" is a short story that highlights the psychological disorder voyeurism. What inspired you to write this short story?

A. *Stories abound of victims being subjected to abuse in varying forms; too often by persons in some form of authority over them.

Some of these instances inspired me.

Q. In "Dreams" you deal with a different theme. Beneath the superficial story is the story of latent sexual frustration on the part of a middle class woman. That woman could not express herself so she devised a method and conveyed her desire to the handsome doctor. Is it a convenient way out? Do you suggest that Sri Lankan women are silent sufferers?

A. I suggest rather that any person who feels thay are stuck in a stagnant relationship could take some steps to get the 'spark' back into their life/relationship. My daughter when younger could not understand this story.

Careful reading is needed to get at the identity of the 'handsome Doctor'.

Q. "Special Child" describes differently abled children in Sri Lanka.

Through the story you try to change the perception with regard to 'disabled' children. Instead of celebrating what they are capable of, society tends to look down on them. What prompted you to write this story?

A. I came to know about differently abled children when I was around 8 years old. My aunt, a nun, was given the privilege of setting up a residential facility for the differently abled in Gonapinuwela, off Hikkaduwa.

From that time my extended family has been in touch with these schools and their students in some way. I know what the Differently Abled are capable of and I know of the demands placed on families touched by this condition.

Q. "Short & Verse" is a collection of short stories on different themes and equally memorable verses. "Independence "is a reflection of bygone era. You re-visit the era through a retired government servant. Are you influenced by the changes that took place during the past couple of decades?

A. This is a difficult question. let me just say any dynamic being is influenced by change. In turn, change is inevitable.

Q. In "Child Soldier" you look at the issues in a sympathetic manner. What is the message ingrained in it?

A. That, often in acts of terror, the uninvolved innocents suffer.

Q. " Holiday " is a poem not only describes myriad aspects of a holiday but also the time that changes the face of the holiday. How did you celebrate holiday in your childhood?

A. In my childhood, holidays were spent with families, ( parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins) getting together and visiting relatives in varying parts on the country. Also, "spending the day" or a few days at relatives' homes, and having them come stay with you, was a pleasant, much anticipated activity.

Q. "What You Sow..." Shows the end of craving and evil plans that brought about unexpected results. Is it based on your personal experience?

A. The actions of the characters in the story are pure fiction. But the inspiration came to me when, planning to marry, we were trying to find a house to rent which was within our means.

Q. In the story "In transit" you have tried to highlight the socio-cultural gap between an educated villager and a middle class woman who came to the village for a change. Do you think that you have achieved the purpose of the story?

A. I'm not sure that I have. Some readers have told me, "oh you should have let them marry"!

Q. In "Minesweeper", you have tried to highlight the socio-economic repercussions of protracted conflict in Sri Lanka. How did you put yourself into their shoes?

A. The thing, both delightful and dreadful, about writers' imagination is the ability to put ourselves into anybody's shoes.

Timely initiative in disaster management

First Aid Training Programme for Three wheeler drivers:

by Ranga CHANDRARATHNE

It would not been exaggeration when a disaster occurred, the first among the volunteers are the three wheeler drivers. For instance in a bomb explosion, the three wheeler drivers volunteered to take the casualties to the nearest hospitals.

However, it is not clear whether they are in a positions to handle casualties.

First aid in such incidents and handling of casualties at the site of a disaster would determine the fate of the victims. Some times sever damages could be caused to the casualty handling owing to lack of training in first aid.

It has been identified that three wheeler drivers have been among the key first responders providing an invaluable service to the community in emergency situations. The programme with the objective of training three wheel drivers in firs aid in order to effectively handle casualties, has been launched by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) in collaboration with St. Jones Ambulance Services and Community Police Unit. The programme was carried out with the collaboration of Three Wheelers Association.

The one-day training programme imparts basic knowledge of first aid as "First Responders" to properly assist on the disaster victims till the formal medical attention is available. Another objective of the programme is to develop a database on three wheel drivers trained in first-aid and link them with the DMC call centre and area police. The data base would be use in future to coordinate relief operations in a disaster and a close link of three wheeler drivers is also useful in spreading vital information to public in case of a disaster.