A ray of hope to Morawewa courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force

by Nilma DOLE

Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke lays the foundation stone for a new school in Divulwewa.

Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke gifts donations to students during the Children’s Day sports meet. - Pix: Lanka Probodi

Nawanigam, a 15 year old student from the Norchikulam school cheers his friends during the first ever sports meet held in 20 years between the schools in the Morawewa area. With a broad smile, he says, "It is not about competition or winning against each other in this sports meet that makes it exciting but the desire to make new friends and understand the friendly faces around."

The Sri Lanka Air Force Seva Vanitha Unit organised an inter-school sports meet to commemorate Children's Day that fell on October 1st with more than 300 schoolchildren from all ethnicities. They distributed dry rations and special gift packs to the winners as well as trophies and certificates.

Speaking to the Sunday Observer was the Government Agent of the area, Ishan Wijetilleke who said, "Children shouldn't bear our sins of war but live in peace and harmony with all ethnicities and this is why we decided to bring them together with this sports meet on this special day." He went on to comment that they have even set up a Village Rehabilitation Community for those who have found it especially difficult to settle down physically and mentally after the war. "The good news is that many are now open-minded and live in unity more than ever before after coming back to their rightful homes," he said.

The residents of Morawewa area were invited by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to resettle in their hometowns after the 30 year old conflict in Sri Lanka.

The first five families who didn't come with anything but their worldly possessions were taken under the wing of the Air Force who provided them with their living requirements.

Enlightening the Sunday Observer was the former Civil Affairs Officer for the Air Force, Flight Lt. Prabath Molligoda who said, "The Morawewa area is close to the sectors named Namalwatte, Owaragara, Pamadawathiya, Panakulam, Welderamulla, 10th post, D5 and D8 and we found it necessary to provide basic facilities like shelter, food and of course, vital means of education." At the moment, Morawewa (predominantly Sinhala village) and Owaragara (predominantly Tamil) area have schools established.

Chairperson Seva Vanitha Mrs. Nelum Goonetileke gifts donations to the needy in Morawewa.

Last week saw the foundation stone for a school being laid for the residents of the Namalwatte, Divulwewa area called Yalahiya with help from an NGO.

Water tanks were also set up in the area and donated MAS clothes to the needy villagers. "It doesn't take much to put a smile on the faces of these people who have suffered in silence because of the war.

Just a helping hand is enough because we are committed to helping them earn a means of livelihood," said Flight Lt. Prabath Molligoda.

Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke commented, "In 1975 when my father founded this camp, the land was arable as any imaginable crop could be grown." He further said that even after the war with landmines cleared and deforestation taking place, the fertile land underneath has resurfaced again as the Air Force officers with the villagers work collectively to revive it for agricultural use.

Saathya, a resident from the 10th post area explained how she felt when she came back, "I don't have a job or a proper house but I'm glad to be back since it's my home."