Attidiya retreat for war heroes:

Haven for injured soldiers

By Dhaneshi YATAWARA

Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa talking to a patient at the Army hospital

Capt. Jude Fernando

Corporal Ranjith Kumara

Private Weerasinghe Sooriyabandara

Sooriyabandara loves classic songs of artiste T.M. Jayaratne. A song would fill his heart with joy. Lying on a bed at Ranaviru Sevana, the rehabilitation centre for war heroes at Ragama he recollects his past - the places he loved, his home and specially Mulliyaweli in Mullaitivu where he was injured in an RPG blast.

This 20 year old fighter is well-looked after by the dedicated staff of the Ranaviru Sevana. He is diagnosed as a quadriplegic patient. Quadriplegia is a condition where the four limbs of a patient are immobilized making him bed ridden for life. The RPG blast on February 8, 2009 had damaged Private Sooriyabandara's cervical spine at C5 and C7 levels. A proud son of a farmer family he has still not lost his will-power. "Now I'm able to control my arms, I'm determined to improve it further. I hope I can move around in a wheelchair like many of my colleagues," Sooriyabandara of the Gemunu Watch said. The will-power of this young man from Hapugasdeniya in Hanguranketha is unbelievable.

Captain Thilina Chandrakumara, an old boy of D.S. Senanayake College, Mirigama was a platoon commander of the 4 - Gemunu Watch of the Sri Lanka Army at the time of his injury. As a schoolboy he always dreamt of becoming a brave officer of the Army! He joined the Army in 2002 soon after completing his studies. Completing his Bachelor of Science degree in Defence studies from to the University of Sabaragamuwa, Captain Chandrakumara joined the Army Commando regiment and was later attached to the infantry troops of the Gemunu Watch. In the wee hours of that fateful day on September 27, 2007, Chandrakumara led his two eight-men teams, on an assault on LTTE positions in Muhamalai of the Northern Defence lines, after a reconnaissance mission for three days. The troops quickly retreated to their original lines and Chandarakumara immediately informed his Commanding Officer of the situation over the radio communication. "A firing started from the LTTE line and along with it something hit me and I fell. I vaguely remember soldiers carrying me for treatment which was about 200 metres away from our position," he said. He regained consciousness only after seven days at the Intensive Care Unit of the Army Hospital. The gun shots had injured his cervical spine at C5 and C6 levels. "Doctors never thought I would ever survive. My injuries were that severe. But I'm recovering gradually. I feel more comfortable now," he said.

He too is a quadriplegic patient undergoing physiotherapy at the Ranaviru Sevana. He is well aware of his condition yet improving himself perhaps due to his unshaken will-power. "It is amazing how people could forget an unforgettable past", "I guess it is the nature," he said with a grin.

Another soldier, who wished to remain anonymous, said he did not want to go back home. Confined to a wheelchair, this 20 year old young man of the 7 - Singha Regiment was injured on May 04, 2009 - the last phase of the Eelam War 4. A metal particle is still in his body touching the brain. As a result he is paralysed below the waist. "Only my mother and younger sister are at home. My sister is still a student and it will be difficult for my mother to look after me as I need life-long caring," he said.

He is not alone, according to Corporal Ranjith Kumara who is also under-going treatment at the Ragama Ranaviru Sevana. Corporal Ranjith of the 7 - Sri Lanka Light Infantry, a father of a daughter who will start her schooling next year, is from Moragahapallama in Ampara. "I'm fortunate to have a very loving and courageous wife and strong family support. Many of my friends here are breadwinners of their families, he said.

On August 7, 2008 on their way forward after capturing the Kulukkal tank bund Ranjith was hit with a sniper shot. "Soon after capturing we were holding the ground until the back-up troops arrived. I was trying to evacuate another injured soldier when the bullet hit me," he said. The bullet pierced through his ribs and injured the spine. His two legs were amputated and today he is confined to the wheelchair. "Four days ago I got my artificial limbs and I'm undergoing training now," he said. "My daughter always encourages me somehow to walk with the help of a walker," he said laughingly. "I feel proud of what I did for my country. Today I can send my daughter to school without any fear of the terror scourge, Ranjith said.

The new building under construction

Soldiers busy with construction

Specially designed bathroom

Referring to his fellowmen at the Ranaviru Sevana, he said "It is important for these young men to have a special place to spend the rest of their lives. Some of them are from far away villages. And it is difficult to treat us at local hospitals. It is important to have a special place for these soldiers to spend the rest of their lives," Ranjith said.

A retreat for war heroes is under construction in Attidiya on a 40 acre land on the banks of the Bolgoda Lake, the brainchild of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Only a war veteran would truly understand the pains of the injured soldiers'. Being a commanding officer during the height of the anti-terror operations the Defence Secretary himself has the first-hand experience of the hardships an officer or a soldier at the battlefield. He will only know what would make a soldier happy for the rest of his life even if he is permanently paralysed.

The retreat at Attidiya is constructed by the Sri Lanka Army Engineering Services Regiment. The construction work is handled by a special project division of the Ministry of Defence on the directive of the Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. "The retreat will provide the best facilities to the war heroes," Military Spokesman Major General Prasad Samarasinghe said, "The project is launched in recognition of the sacrifices made by the valiant soldiers."

Visiting the site it is clear to anyone that quality of the products is given the highest priority. It is especially designed for any form of permanent disability soldiers are facing now. So far, the Ranaviru Sevana provided shelter for those officers and soldiers who need lifetime caring under especial medical requirements. Yet it was only for the Army.

Captain Jude Fernando of the 4 - Gajaba Regiment, is receiving the loving care of the medical staff of the Ranaviru Sevana since he was injured in July, 1990. He is partially paralysed due to the cerebral injury and his left leg is amputated. He eagerly attends the physiotherapy classes. "I can't miss physiotherapy lessons. It is not good for me. The medical staff are very kind and caring to me. This is home to me," he said. He understands his special needs and he is happy as he can comfortably live in the Ranaviru Sevana.

Sergeant Nanayakkara of the 9 - Gemunu Watch suffered a head injury during an artillery attack and was later paralysed - totally blind and deaf. He is unable to express himself and only the medical personnel are able to diagnose even a slightest cough or a cold. There are many such permanently disabled soldiers who depend on assistance from others. The War Veterans Retreat at Attidiya will be haven for the heroes of the three forces and the Police.

The stage I of the retreat is constructed to accommodate 30 patients while the special building to accommodate their families during their visits will be constructed soon. When completed the retreat is could accommodate 250 patients. A spacious room with three attendants will be made available for each war hero if he needs especial care.

The air-conditioned room will be fully equipped with a bathroom with special equipment to suit their needs, a small pantry, television and a mini fridge. The dining room faces the swimming pool and the picturesque Bolgoda Lake.

The project launched on a concept of the Defence Secretary is coordinated through the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Ministry of Defence under its Chairperson Ioma Rajapaksa. Well-wishers both local and international, drawn together by the dedicated and determined search of the Secretary Defence over a period of time, contributed to make the project a reality.

There was no need of special committees or task forces.

Soon the construction of the first phase will be completed and the retreat will accommodate its first batch and it will become the 'home' for the true sons of Mother Lanka. Yesterday the war heroes performed their duty to the motherland sacrificing their life and limb and today it is for us to fulfil our duty!