 “I give protection from sun”
Pethiyagoda, a sleepy suburb of
Kadugannawa is more a village than a town. Some of the houses, shanties
is the word, had hardly anything in them. A good many were furnished
with rexine covered drawing room suits, glass cabinets with dinner sets
and many other furniture. Some rooms had radios. In some there were even
sewing machines, operated by hand and some by foot. It is in one of
these dwellings I was born. There was no auspicious hour, no horoscope,
or a birth certificate to announce or certify appearance on the world
stage.
 My father who was not a rich man, with his technical skill and his
dexterous hands turned out accessories to the villagers for their day to
day life. In this rural setting along the road among bullock-carts lies
a 4850 sq. foot factory, employing 1000 people. Since my father could
not manage to make ends meet, he worked in this factory for a better
return. My father had higher ambitions on me. I had a happy contended
life as I grew older and enjoyed every moment.
Pethiyagoda through a village was moving from an agricultural to an
industrial economy. So was the demand for skilled labour. No sooner I
reached adolescence my father took me to work in the factory. The
management had a experiment and chose me as an item that would be easy
to make and have wide popular appeal in a rural market. I was considered
as a light collapsible usually circular canopy of cloth mounted on
radial ribs attached to a central stick used for protection against sun
and rain. My father had a good taste for matching clothes. So he dressed
me with chinese silk attire in colour and some in black. I looked smart
and elegant and easy on the body in our humid climate. Few clothes had
colourful floral designs to give latest trends in fashion.
By now I have reached the ripe age for any person to look twice. Most
of my admirers were of middle age. But it did not matter even the young
and the old had a soft corner for me. I was in big demand. Along with my
fellow mates I was taken to a bazaar where I met a cosmopolitan crowd
who did shopping. I was picked up by a beautiful blond who took me to
her house.
She loved me so much that she gave me all the comforts she could
afford. She also introduced me to her boyfriend. I had to accompany her
in her every outing. One day she took me to the seashore. While walking
along the beach I observed many young ones seated cuddled together
whispering sweet nothing with my protection to prevent from all evils.
A few old men and women walking along holding hands, and in one hand
holding me tight giving shade from the sun. It’s a pleasant sight to see
a beautiful blond with all the curves, shapely legs under a parasol with
her boyfriend. I am proud that I am able to serve the whole nation and
protect them from sun rain, and dust, and sand storms and win their
hearts as a life time achievement.
-Tissa Hewavitarane
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