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•  A neglected lot

War widows to meet Defence Minister

Despite receiving a monthly income of around Rs. 20,000, being a war widow remains a daunting task in a country that is not geared towards serving this special group of people.

At present there are 3,960 war widows in the country. Their numerous woes starting from heading fatherless households to handling personal grief while keeping the home fires burning can be emotionally and physically exhausting. The reality of their lives is beyond monetary compensation.

Chairman, Ranaviru Family Counselling Service (RFCS), Air Vice Marshal Harry Goonetileke told The Sunday Leader, around 100 war widows and their children representing all districts would meet Defence Minister, Tilak Marapone on October 4 to air their grievances. "This is the first time they are meeting a person of high authority in governance," said Goonetileke.

These women whose husbands have lost their lives in the line of duty are left with many unfulfilled needs - emotional, physical, social etc, says Sgt. Chandani Gunethileke from RFCS.

The general belief is that children of military personnel killed in action are given preference in school admissions. But reality is different. The RFCS is aware of many instances where war widows' requests have been turned down by school authorities.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Sgt. Gunathileke recalled an instance where the female child of a dead soldier, who also had an Education Ministry letter, was not allowed even to meet the principal of a leading girl's school in Kandy. "These are children whose guardians have paid the supreme sacrifice in defending our motherland. They are left vulnerable and dependant not by choice. It is highly unfortunate they are treated this way," she said.

On another occasion, a primary school in Kurunegala that planned a felicitation ceremony for war heroes had requested students to bring in their parents' details. A young boy who tried to include his dead soldier father's name had allegedly been turned down by the class teacher. "We only want names of living and not dead soldiers' names," the teacher has said.

International social research findings reveal that lone mothers are indeed poorer, more depressed and unhealthier. According to the RFCS, there is an urgent need to recognise them as a special group with due attention to their difficulties.

According to Air Vice Marshal Goonetileke, unavailability of a proper identification document too has added to their problems. "Only some units in the armed forces have issued identity cards. Government departments, hospitals, schools and other institutions should be made to recognise these people as a group requiring special assistance," he said. He emphasised the need to issue appropriate identity cards signed by chiefs of the armed forces and police or the Defence Ministry Secretary to give more credence.

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