Despite medication for recurring ailment:

'Small World's End' becomes solace for troubled man

by Ananda Agalakada

Rasiah with his parents

Rasaiya felt isolated and alone with his problem - a constant pain in the head. He tried to cope with it to the best of his ability, but over the years after battling the pain for so long he thought he could never overcome it.

Rasaiya did not talk to anyone about his stressful situation. He could have found relief in sharing his worries, fears and anxieties with an expert, friend or family. But the shy and poverty stricken Rasaiya never needed advice. He also thought that this would cost precious money that he could ill afford.

With the above remedies sidelined, Rasaiya often sought the healing touch of nature to soothe his headache.

He often used to visit the 'Small world's end' in Ududumbara which was close to his home. It was an observation post that offers a panoramic view and overlooks a drop of around 400 feet in the Knuckles Wildlife Sanctuary. This serene view helped somewhat to comfort him.

Rasaiya Chandrakumaran resided in Ududumbara, Navanagala with his parents and relatives. He did not forget to visit this World's end at least several times a month. Sometime he went with his friends, but mostly he went alone.

Rasaiya went there mostly to get away from his pain. He had been suffering from the headache for a long time. He was treated by some doctors, but to no avail. Rasaiya also did not follow treatment for long and abandoned it mid-way as he thought he could not get any solace from the small pills he took every day.

His family was poverty stricken as well and Rasaiya always tried hard to look after his ailing parents. After failing to find reasonable employment in the area of his residence he even tried his hand at employment in the city to earn better money. He went to Colombo as some of his friends told him that the city had high paying jobs.

Environment

He joined a private company as a security guard. Although he worked hard in the company he was not satisfied with his monthly salary. Also he was not happy with the city.

Rasiah's body lying on the rocky plain

His headache grew worse and he could not find solace in the new environment he lived in. He missed the 'world's end' so much; he often used to dream about the place during his tired sleep after work.

Rasaiya could not stand the city for long and one day decided to leave for his beloved village. Once in the village he felt better and his headache seemed much better after several visits to his favourite World's end. However as time passed his old wounds reopened. Lack of money hurt him and his family.

It was a struggle to find money to keep the home fires burning. His ailing parents were a big burden as well. His headache continued growing with each passing day and troubles also mounted with time.

One day he woke up and went to the kitchen. He saw his dear mother preparing milk rice for them at the dawn of this holy day which was Thai Pongal. After about five minutes of talking with his mother he turned towards his father and greeted him cheerfully. Rasiya's father thought he had not seen his son so cheerful for a long time.

He was happy for his son. He thought it was the Thai Pongal and told his wife later that this could be a new beginning for a better future.

By this time Rasaiya told his father that he was going to the toilet. His father and mother waited for him to return to taste the milk rice. However, he did not return and after some time the parents became worried and went in search of him.

Rasaiya was not in the toilet and then his father went to his room to find it empty as well.

However he saw a letter at his bed side, which was open. Rasaiya's father was curious and read the letter. Next he was in shock.

His beloved son had written, "I am suffering from this huge headache. I cannot tolerate it anymore. So I have decided to end my suffering by jumping from the small World's end".

Complaint

His father contacted the police in Ududumbara immediately. Following the complaint of Rasaiyas's father the police and the villagers together began to search the small World's end to find Rasaiya.

The police and villagers found it very difficult to reach the small World's end as the weather was bad that day. But they did not back out from their attempt to find Rasaiya. They began to go towards the small World's end through the Hapugaskumbura village.

The police and the people finally reached the top after going several kilometres to reach the location. When they reached the top they saw Rasaiya's lifeless body lying on the rocky plain that was 500 metres beneath.

Later a rescue team which went down the rocks with the aid of ropes reached the body of Rasaiya.

The Acting OIC of Ududumbara police IP Seneviratne including SI Madduma Bandara. Sergeant Chandresekara and G.A. Kumarasiri conducted the investigation.