Another two victims of mother nature

by Ananda Agalakada

Achintha Diviyangani resembled a little rose bud. Sweet as a dove. But destiny never allowed her to blossom. Tragedy took away Achintha's life prematurely leaving enormous sorrow in her parents' minds. She bid adieu to her parents, brother and relatives in a journey that would never bring her back again to this world.

Thirty-two-year old Janaka Sampath of Alawala Attanagalla married Sandya Rajapaksa, 13 years ago. They had lived in the same village and fallen in love in their youth. After two years of marriage Sandya gave a birth to a son Sandun Rasanga. He brought good luck and was an inspiration to his parents. Rasanga's father Janaka worked hard to look after his son and wife. Although Janaka had been working as a labourer he reached a milestone when he managed to purchase a three-wheeler by sheer determination.

Sandya never got discouraged in the face of hardships and monotonous daily chores at home. She pushed for improvement and she looked after her husband and son very well. She gave a helping hand to make ends meet. Meanwhile Achintha Diviyangani was the dream of her parents.

Achintha's parents had always wanted a daughter. As soon as Achintha was born it was as if they received a treasure. Rasanga loved his younger sister Achintha. As soon as he returned from school he came rushing to see her. He did not forget to bring some sweets for Achintha.

Janaka Sampath used to take his children on a ride in his three-wheeler whenever he was free. He provided all the necessities of the children. He never thought about life without his children.

The rains which had kept away for a long time fortunately had now started to pour ending the drought. It was a big relief to the people. But no one thought about the looming danger that is associated with the rains. The torrential rains poured down inundating land and houses. Thunder and lightning, landslide and floods followed without any mercy. On that fateful day, October 22, two-and-a-half-year-old Achintha had played with her mother from morning. The day was gloomy and overcast indicating more showers. Sandya has nestled her daughter and put her to sleep. After her daughter fell asleep, she had come to the front doorstep awaiting her son's arrival after tuition.

Within a few minutes the hill which was at the back of their house came crashing down on to their house. Sandya who was thrown out of the house sustained severe injuries. She kept shouting that her daughter was sleeping inside the house.

Neighbours rushed to the scene and took Sandya to the Wathupitiwela hospital and then began searching for Achintha. When Janaka got the bad news about the earth slip and the predicament of his daughter and wife he rushed home. He could not believe what had happened to his daughter, wife and their house. He saw his neighbours removing the soil and searching for something. Janaka even in his wildest dreams would have never thought that what the people were searching for his daughter whom he loved so much. But destiny had taken its toll. Achintha had breathed her last under that pile of earth. The neighbours had ultimately recovered Achintha's body with the assistance of a backhoe machine at the dawn the following day. Achintha never woke up to see her parents and brother. She had entered eternal sleep and no doubt would wake among the deities in heaven.