Review

Old soldiers  battling for their lives...

By Ranee Mohamed in Katana

Bernard Wijewardene tries to hide his age."I am 103," he says, but the fellow soldier next to him nudges him and quickly points ....

More.... 

 > The Peacock preens

 > Out of Colombo... to near a golf course! (....Balder Dash)

 > A broken home...

 > The soothing world of ayurveda

 > Elephant owners charged with neglect

 > Overcoming rampant 'individualism' 

Old soldiers  battling for their lives...

If there was anything that all these ex-serviceman, all over 60 years of age want, it is their youth - to be able to march briskly again, to be able to see again and to be able to get away from the pain that old age and the associated ailments bring. 

Bernard Wijewardene , a soldier in the Royal Army Service Corps served the army  from 1941 to 1945.  At 104 years of age today, he can only recall the days when fitness was all he knew about. He speaks of the days when he went on tours of duty to Alexandria and Italy... the speed at which he drove the heavy vehicles. He speaks happily about the bottles of wine and the ladies seated next to him during his days in uniform in Italy.

Secret of long life

When asked for the  secret of his long life, Wijewardene boldy attributes it to the happy life he led, the 'drinks' he had had and his carefree bachelor status. "Being unmarried means that I have spent less of my energy. I have always been in love and I have always been happy," he laughs, hugging his walking stick closer.

Sergeant Noel Daniel  (81) sits next to Wijewardene. He says "I am very proud to say that honourable Karu Jayasuriya was the second lieutenant and I was a sergeant working under him. . He speaks of a time when Colonel Solwil was the Commander, and of years of dedicated service.

But today, there seems to be no one to dedicate or sacrifice for Sergeant Noel Daniel, the way he has sacrificed his youth for the forces. He speaks of his love for bread and butter. It is plain to see that Daniel does not have the bread and butter as often as he would like to have it.

To add to his sadnesses, Joel Daniel is suffering from cancer of the throat and he also speaks of great discomfort due to poor vision. "I have bad vision caused by increased pressure in the eye. There is nothing I want today more than to be able to see properly," he says, speaking painfully. His eagerness and happiness at having visitors makes him speak out loud but the cancer in his throat  quietens him and his eyes well with tears.

Naval training

 Chief Petty Officer N.A. P. Rodrigo (77) truly shows us that  naval training can help one to stand tall, despite the years.  Seated, and taking life and old age in his stride, Chief Petty Officer Rodrigo speaks of his 22 years of service in the navy.

He speaks of having worked for Commanders Rear Admirals Royce de Mel, Rajan Kadirgamar, D. Hunter, Don Basil Gunasekera and Alfred William Henry Perera.

"I lost my wife 21 years ago and that is the only sadness in my life. My years with the navy have been very good. The Second World War was over when I joined. I remember the times when I worked for the ships Vijaya, Parakrama and Gajabahu. I also was working onboard Suraya, Ranakami, Balawatha.

Discipline

"I was  in the electrical branch at that time. The director was Commander M. Pelman," recalled Chief Petty Officer Rodrigo and went on to say the navy has instilled in him a deep sense of discipline.  Speaking of his love for partying, Rodrigo wishes that there were more parties here at the Veteran's Home. He speaks of his happy life and confesses that he has a small drink everyday.

It was plain to see that all the heroes in here are people who enjoyed life-who loved good food and good wine. But for them there are no parties anymore. Only a square meal, thanks to the fixed deposits of the Ex-Serviceman's Association that runs this home.

There are many things that this home wants - many needs, many improvements, that can all serve to make life better for these war heroes  in the evening of their lives.

Years of happiness

In our little gathering in the dormitory of this Veteran's Home is Private Gunapala (81). he speaks of his 18 years of happiness spent in the army  from the year 1943.

"The Japanese bombed Trincomalee on April 5, 1942 and they bombed Colombo on April 9. I was in Trincomalee and I remember the foreign forces in Trincomalee," he recalls.

There was a time when Gunapala was the strongest man around, but today he speaks of the weakness in his legs and his medical needs. He points out the absence of medical equipment and the fears that they experience with the Negombo Base Hospital being so far away.

These war heroes are aged and alone and hospitals ask for someone to be near them when they are admitted. "But there is no one who will go with us. We have to find someone from the neighbourhood, pay money and get them to stay with us," pointed out Gunapala.

These war heroes are not millionaires. They not only experience pain in their limbs but pain in their minds too. Pain due to financial deprivation is another pain that they are learning to live with in the midst of all the aches and pains that they experience day and night.

Bachelor

Corporal Hilton Ranasinghe (86) speaks of his army days between the years 1940-1945. A bachelor, he speaks of his long and passionate love affairs and his ability to decide on who is best suited to be his wife. He attributes the secret of his long life to constantly being in love. 

"Even now when I go out I can sense  some ladies of my age group looking  at me with love, but I just chose to ignore all that," he said modestly. "I love to party, to have a drink and watch TV," he said happiness lighting up his eyes at the thought of the days gone by, then tears begin to fill again.

Strong and able

In a corner sits a bugler in the army, Corporal Roy de Silva. (81). Despite his puny form, he moves fast, looks strong and able.  His period of service he says is between 1942 and 1945. Corporal Silva has survived much. Not only is he saddened by the memories of stronger days that have flown by, but cries in his heart at the loss of his grandson's wife and their baby in the tsunami.

I lost my daughter and son in law too when we were resident in Hambantota during the tsunami. I was in church at that time and I was saved. I had no place to go after that and that is how I came to this home. Today, all my needs are looked after and I am fed and given a roof above my head," he said.

On a chair, watching us all quietly is Corporal B.A.W. Kodippili  (84). Corporal Kodippili has had a varied tour of duty. having been in the Royal Army Service Corp from May 1942, to 1946. He had served in the Police Department from 1952. "But I did not like it and I gave in my resignation.

My greatest worry today is that I am unable to build my house which was destroyed by the tsunami. I was given help by an Italian organisation, but the money was enough to rebuild only half way," he said sadly.

Officer's chalet

We walk away from the domitory and walk into the chalet of Warrant Officer Percy G.B. Perera (89). Officer Perera walks with difficulty, the eruptions in his feet troubling his movements. Inside the chalet is a typewriter with a table lamp nereby.

The discipline, the tough exterior and the determination  in this officer have not aged, When asked about his secret of long life, he says "It is the army training and the army discipline that is the secret of my long life and what I desire most is to be back in the army if I can," he says, sitting in an armchair in his quaint verandah. He speaks of the sad days when he lost his wife in the year 2000.

Officer Perera has his life and his discipline registered and preserved in a large book which is 78 years old, wherein every photograph and document of his army days are preserved. "Some of these photographs have been developed in urine," points out Perera who spoke of  rough days in his base depot in Genifa, Middle East.

Some advice

"When they originally began to construct the Suez Canal, small lakes were drained into it and there was just desert with sand and small stones..." he recalls of his desert days. "Sometimes it was over six months before I got leave and the film tended to get spoilt due to the heat before I got to the station, that is why there was the immediate need to develop the photos," he said.

Speaking of the ongoing war, Officer Perera said "This is not a war, this is a cat and dog war," he said. When asked what his advise would be to the youth of today, he said, "My advise to every youth is to join either the army or navy  and get the training. That is the best training that they can get for life....."

Perth diary

Overcoming rampant 'individualism'

Kevinÿ Rudd has opened up the touchy subjectÿ on whether or not religious institutions such as the Catholic Church andÿ other Christian denominations should be allowed to participate in political debatesÿ in Australia and if so, to what degree. 

Kevin Rudd also happens to be in the current opposition - the Labour Party. The thing is Kevin Rudd has a very valid point. Christianity in all its denominations and almost all other faiths and religions to my knowledge define themselves in two very important ways. They not only deal with salvation of the faithful or provide a means for ordering one's spiritual existence but they also deal with social justice.

The golden rule

Social justice refers to the act and intention of working to make life better for those around you as well - in other words giving something back to the community be it via helping people or saving the environment. In fact, it is part of the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Be kind to thy neighbour" and so on. There is an inherent part of every religion or faith that deals with social justice.

Kevin Rudd's argument is that part of that social justice component should be seen as religious institutions of any faith being able to criticise government decisions regarding social and environmental policy.  Part of social justice means speaking up and contributing to the debates regarding these issues and being allowed and encouraged to do so.

Kevin Rudd's major argument is to use Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a priest and philosopher living in Nazi Germany who deemed that the ethical thing to do was to argue the case against the Jewish persecution, something for which he was eventually hanged three weeks before the Second World War ended. The idea is that faiths and religions have ethical frameworks and that they should be encouraged to use these ethical frameworks to enter the debate on issues of social and environmental importance.

So what is the problem? I agree with Rudd, up to a point. Yes, one probably needs a balance between individualism and the notion of social responsibility - you can't be concerned about yourself alone, you should also be concerned and bear some responsibility for the community and the environment. The problem starts with people.

Selfish people

People are inherently - in the majority - selfish. We were designed to do whatever we deem necessary in order to survive. We still use that instinct for self preservation and survival in every day life. Kevin Rudd's idea is wonderful but will it work?  Is it practical?  The 'rampant individualism' we see today has been the result of what has happened in history over several generations.

Trying to get people to be more concerned about those outside of their immediate circle of family and friends will be very hard. Most people just don't seem to want to know about what is happening in the world - they want to live a relatively quiet, easy, guilt free life.

Crossing the line

The problem isn't just about getting more people to be more concerned. It's also about whether the government of any nation-state would encourage debate on such issues and whether the line is crossed with religious organisations getting too involved in politics - such as financially backing or bankrolling parties for elections.

If religious institutions are associated with power, they can bankroll election and media campaigns for parties to indirectly ensure that policies they favour go through. Individuals within these organisations can also be approached to be bribed or otherwise convinced to promote one side of an issue over another to favour a certain party policy or decision.

People forget that organisations, religious or otherwise, are invariably in the end made up of people and peopleÿ- even those in the most highly endeared positions are unfortunately not infalliable.

This includes politiciansÿ and religious leaders as well. Sometimes they don't realise their actions are unethical, sometimes they don't see the others' point of view, sometimes they don't care anyway. And sometimes you get a few people who are actually decent and try to do a good job. Opening a door for participation in debates and discourses can lead to corruption when people are hell bent on getting anything they have an interest or stake in off and running.

Genuine interest

On the other hand, it might just enable people to become more concerned with what happens around them politically and socially and more importantly what they can and what they think they should be doing about it. The question is even if you convince people to save the world or feed the poor or fight injustice, will they do it out of self interest or genuine compassion and concern?

Will they do it because they want to obtain self salvation, because they want an environment for their kids, because they want to be seen as caring, because they want it to benefit them or because quite simply they feel that they have a responsibility to do their bit and that they are by right of life, bound to do the best they can for all their neighbours regardless of whether they can stand them or not?

It doesn't matter, does it? Ultimately the reasons for why you do something about politics, about social justice, about your community, about the environment, won't matter because it will be between your chosen deity (or deities) and you.  But perhaps you should get out there and actually use your rights as a citizen and as a person to effect changes because it might be much better to explain after death that whatever the reasons, you actually made life better for others by your existence instead of solely looking out for yourself. 

Self interest will probably be forgiven, but selfishness may not be and that might not be a chance worth taking.

- Marisa Wikramanayake

One man's commitment to the hospitality industry

The Peacock preens

The Peacock Beach Hotel, Hambantota has recovered from the tsunami of 2004 and is set to open shortly -  and how! Easily the largest hotel east of Galle, the Peacock Hotel's resurgence is the stuff of dreams. Lovingly and very beautifully restored, the splendour is simply awesome. 

It is immediately noticeable from the vast landscaped gardens, to the luxuriously appointed rooms, and the delightful swimming pool. It is, almost, an oasis or rather like the pride of Sri Lanka's south, the peacock, which struts majestically deep in the very heart of the Southern Province.

The tsunami certainly did not spare the Peacock Beach Hotel. Like the rest of seaside Hambantota, the devastation wreaked havoc on the property. The owners were certainly not reluctant hoteliers but events after the tsunami very nearly made them so.

No cover

Informed by their insurers that they had no cover but would qualify for an ex-gratia payment, it is just as well they didn't hold their breath in hope.  Jinadasa Guruge, the affable and charming millionaire and renowned gem merchant, acted rather like New York's Mayor, Rudy Guiliani.

He promptly returned the cheque, which for all the fan fare would have hardly paid for the paving slabs from the road to the hotel. Looking at the hotel now, it is not difficult to envisage why  Guruge returned the Rs 1.5 million cheque.

He could have of course, cut his losses and concentrated on his traditional and mainline business of gems but he chose a path which demanded fresh infusion of capital needed for renovation. Only, it turned out not to be a renovation but rather a renaissance of style, comfort and trim.

The roof top restaurant, overlooking the Indian Ocean, but cooled by state of the art air conditioning and soothingly expensive marble floor tiles, offers an ambience that has hitherto not been available in the south.

Blends well

Indeed it is hard to imagine that we are in the heart of Sri Lanka's south. The original  '70s deco ceiling has been restored to its splendour and adds to the feel of the hotel and blends perfectly with the rest of the interiors.

The vast landscaped grounds will offer plenty of shade and leafy areas for guests to relax. An extensive children's play area is planned ( the hotel re-opens officially in a fortnight) keeping in line with the 'family' type of hospitality that the Peacock Beach was renowned for.

The guest rooms are a mixture of standard, deluxe and suites. The rooms are well appointed with comfortable and practical amenities. The mattresses are bound to offer a peaceful night's sleep. The rooms have all been designed thoughtfully.

There is plenty of space in the cupboards, a rack for your suitcase and the inevitable tool of all travellers these days- satellite television - is available. All rooms have TV, the deluxe rooms will have a mini fridge and all rooms have that all essential tool - IDD  telephones. The two suites - Blue Sapphire and Pink Sapphire are luxurious in the extreme.

Rare privilege

The Blue Sapphire in particular offers the lover of gems a rare privilege- to be able to stay in a room created by the owner of the world's largest uncut blue sapphire. The walls of the suite are adorned with a pictorial history of gems and the sensational uncut blue sapphire which is rumoured to be worth in excess of US$ 50 million.

At the opening, 60  rooms plus the suites will be ready and the hotel will offer all of its potential 111 rooms within six months thereafter.

Peacock Beach Hotel had made for itself something of a cult following with its fabulously laid out buffet. With the re-opening, Operations Director Dulani Guruge promises guests plenty of variety.

There will be al-fresco dining by the beach, a beach side area to have your long drinks and a full a la carte menu giving guests the opportunity to indulge in food that they wish to have - without resorting to the limitations of a menu.

The management is clearly focused on ensuring that a stay at the Peacock Beach is memorable and clients will wish to stay at the Peacock again by choice.

A wonderful touch and taking guests back to the 1970s, is the use of a double-decker London-bus completely made out like a safari bus which takes guests on safari to nearby Yala and Udawalawe Safari parks.

Safaris to Yala

In fact, the hotel will organise safaris to Yala, Uda Walawe, Bundala as well as camp fire evenings by the lake at Wirawila. The location in Wirawila is owned by the same family and will be developed fully into an eco-tourism site in Phase 2 of the hotel's rejuvenation. The inviting beaches of Tangalle and Seenimodera are a little over an hour away, giving guests invaluable variety whilst on holiday.

Dulani Guruge, the 26 year old operations director at the Peacock, brings a refreshing amount of expertise in the travel industry with her. Educated in Australia, Dulani subsequently worked at Hemtours. She credits Hemas for having allowed her to glean very much of her expertise in the hospitality industry and is confident she will create for the Peacock Beach Hotel a name that will be synonymous with style, comfort and service levels which will become the inspirational hallmark within the industry.

Certainly with the variety of rooms, facilities and services on offer, the Peacock Beach Hotel, not only signifies to the world that Sri Lanka is getting on with life after the tsunami but indeed, that the Hambantota District is alive and doing very well.

-Faraz Shauketaly

Out of Colombo... to near a golf course!

Caveman announced that we were going out of Colombo for the  weekend. What a coincidence, near a golf course ! Simply marvey for us non-golfers! The Dancing Doll and I grumbled half-heartedly. I would have to fish out the entire lot of warm clothing just to get at a few.

We set off at daybreak, picking up a very vociferous friend on the way. He is one of the only men I know who closely scrutinises the society magazines here. He's like the talking Who's Who of Lanka. It was so entertaining listening to him, Dancing Doll was in stitches most of the time.

Everything was fine until halfway through the journey along the winding roads, the vehicle started sliding and skidding from one end of the road to the other. It was rather hair-raising, since on one side was this steep drop. At the next town, we discovered that the tyres had far too much air in them. Once this was adjusted, we continued without any further mishap.

The hotel where we stopped for breakfast offered a vast menu, but when we asked for sandwiches, that stumped them, for the waiter came and apologetically said, "no can do." No ingredients! So we had to have stringhoppers and the accompanying curries.

 Chauvinist

After a close look at the menu, our well-informed friend told us that a wedding could be hosted here quite cheaply, comparing with the five star prices of Colombo! Some people apparently pay exorbitant prices per head now-a-days. He was of the opinion that all females should be married by 26 (?) or else they would get too independent. Chauvinist!

Anyway, he went on to say that generally over here, when you invite some people, they come with their entire family. Once he had invited 25 people and 53 had turned up! He had praised the Lord for  sausages and dhal! But this is true here, because once I was expecting 65 people, but about a hundred turned up!

 The caterers helped me to cook more emergency food. We used up whatever stocks I had, following no particular recipe. Some really weird dishes emerged. It was like the loaves and fishes multiplying rapidly to feed the hungry masses!

After we arrived at the hotel, spent lots of time lurking in the bushes and hiding in the room reading and generally being unsociable. Dancing Doll too was in tune with this plan. You see, we had toured the area too many times and just wanted to relax. So apart from mealtimes, we slunk around. Plenty of entertainment was provided by the other guests, conversations were rather lively and everything was discussed, from religion to philosophy, and of course, the state of the country. The food was simply divine!

Golfer's paradise

We had the dubious privilege of watching the golfers solemnly trudging along. I admired the course, really beautiful, lush and well maintained. Although some of us planned to go out dancing in the night, horrors, there was nothing on! So we stuffed ourselves to the gills instead and then sat in front of a crackling fireplace until it had died down to embers. The staff started laying the tables for breakfast, and we took the hint and broke up for the night.

Some members of the party would get up really early to go to church. I was not one of them. I had been lathering my face with what I thought was moisturising cream, since my skin felt rather dry with the cold. On my return home, I was puzzled as to why the skin on my face started peeling. I thought I should examine the cream more closely, and what do you think, I had been using shower gel from a tube on my face! No wonder it felt rather sticky. This is what happens when you pack in a hurry, just flinging things in!

Our pal kept inviting me to a four-kilometre hike, which I not so politely declined. Every day he would keep me updated as to how much he had walked and how many hours he had slept. Then he would probe about my state of health and express shock at my eating habits!

On our return journey we managed to get lots of fresh vegetables really cheap. Bought some lovely flowering plants too, not so cheap! Unfortunately strawberries were scarce, so we had to be content with the jam instead. It's good to get away from it all once in a while!

- Honky Tonk Woman

A broken home...

This is where we laughed, where we sleep and where we lived...

By Ranee Mohamed

If home is where the heart is, then Nalaka Mendis's heart is truly broken. This is the home of a man who worked hard to make ends meet. Driving his van, transporting office staff, he made his living peacefully.

But what happened to him on the evening of Friday, October 21 has shattered his life. Sadly, the writing was on the wall for Mendis, but no one cared.

Cracked walls

"About one -and-a-half-months ago my neighbours broke down a hilly area and put up a wall that was 30 feet high. Two weeks later it began to crack and I pointed it out to them. But they took no notice. Then I went to the Kotte Municipal Council and lodged a complaint. They sent an officer in response to this complaint and the officer too said that this illicit construction was not strong and conducted inquiries into this construction," said Mendis in tears.

"But on Friday, October 21, when I was inside the house, I heard a loud sound, like a bomb exploding and I jumped out of the house. Next thing I knew was that the house - which was gifted to me by my parents - was razed to the ground.  The rocks of the wall had crashed onto my home, it had destroyed all my possessions. I have nothing today, I have no clothes no furniture and no bed to sleep on," said Mendis who has become homeless overnight.

"The only consolation is that our lives are saved," said Mendis whose wife was away at work, and the year two student living in his house was sent to a neighbour for fear of the danger that the wall posed.

Not only are the human beings who lived here at 23/40 Fourth Lane, Rajagiriya undergoing mental trauma, but also their cat who had loved their home. Infact, every member of this family is crying. From the whining of the dog, to the mournful meowing of the cat, comes the plea to give them back a home.

Animals also homeless

"We have two dogs, Jimmy and Judy.  About a week before this devastation, Judy left the house never to return and Jimmy was whining before it happened. It abandoned the room where it stayed, which was on the side of the wall and came to the other side," said Mendis.

Today, this family is homeless and it happened not because of a tsunami or because they could not pay their rent.

Nalaka Mendis is in tears. His red-rimmed eyes speaks of restless nights and days. Nothing can be as heartbreaking as watching your home of over three decades lying in a heap with rocks, stones and concrete covering and destroyed cherished possessions.  The plea is for help - but from where will it come from, one will never know.

How strange life can be. How soon things can change. How soon man can go from a happy comfortable home to a nobody on the road.

Today all that Nalaka Mendis has is a van. And there is nothing that he can do in a van with a wife, a little one and a dog and cat. For wherever one may be, there is definitely no place like home.

And for Nalaka Mendis, there is only uncertainty and fear as the roof above his head was blown away and the walls crashed around him.

Elephant owners charged with neglect

By Risidra Mendis

As the crowds patiently wait, dressed  in colourful cloth decorated with beads and sequins they line up to participate in the annual peraheras. The use of elephants in peraheras has always been a 'must' in cultural events in Sri Lanka.

However a drastic drop in the number of elephants participating in peraheras has been noted in recent times. The plight of the tame elephants has finally taken its toll not only where religious functions are concerned but as an overall national crisis in the country.

Food shortage

A shortage of food and veterinary surgeons, the selling of elephants from one owner to another, the lack of interest in breeding and looking after the animals are the main causes for the fast dwindling tame elephant population in the country.

A recent decision by the government to create a National Elephant Policy (NEP) to protect the remaining elephant population in the country may do more harm than good, when considering certain policies included in the NEP.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Naturalist, Young Zoologist Association (YZA) Shantha Jayaweera said according to the NEP, rouge elephants that cannot be translocated are to be captured by the Department of  Wildlife and Conservation (DWC) and auctioned to private elephant owners.

"How can the government take such a decision when the tame elephants in the country are neglected by their owners? The lack of experienced veterinary surgeons to treat tame elephants has resulted in many animals being neglected. Capturing and taming wild elephants will only add to the present problem," Jayaweera said.

"The National Zoological Gardens (NZG), the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage and the DWC have their own veterinary surgeons. There are some veterinary surgeons not attached to these government departments, however they are insufficient to treat the number of tame elephants in the country," Jayaweera said.

According to Jayaweera some private elephant owners do not like to spend large sums of money to treat these animals when they are sick.

"When tame elephants get sick elephant owners have a problem as there are no veterinary surgeons or veda mahaththayas close by. Elephant owners have to take the animals a long distance to be treated. If the animal's condition is not serious the mahout can get the animal to walk to the closest veterinary surgeon. But if it is serious a lorry or truck has to be used to transport the animal," explained Jayaweera.

Owners reluctant

Jayaweera added that many elephant owners do not like to spend money on transportation, resulting in the animal being neglected. "There are cases where tame elephants are treated at their 'homes' instead of being taken to an experienced veterinary surgeon. When the animal's condition gets worse it is taken to a veterinary surgeon, but in some cases it is too late and the animal dies," Jayaweera said.

Many years ago the job of a mahout was considered to be a prestigious one. "But today a mahout's job is not considered to be prestigious anymore. In the past a mahout's job was a hereditary one. But today a mahout's son does not want to take over the job from his father. A shortage of experienced mahouts is another factor for the neglect of tame elephants," says Jayaweera.

Jayaweera stressed that in the past elephant owners bought animals because they were genuine animal lovers. "But today many elephant owners want to own an elephant not for the love of the animal but for prestige.  Animals are not given their food on time and in some instances not fed for days," he claimed.

Jayaweera added that if a genuine animal lover who owns an elephant dies ahead of the animal, most often the animal is neglected by the rest of the family members. In some cases the animal is sold to another person, who may not be a genuine animal lover.

Elephant safaris that have become a popular tourist attraction have also affected the tame elephants. Elephants used for safaris in the dry zone are the most affected. "If elephant safaris are held in the wet zone, the animals have sufficient food to survive due to the home garden systems. However if an elephant is taken to the dry zone for safaris the animal has to depend on the food brought from the wet zone. When hotels hire out the animals for safaris the animals' welfare is not taken into consideration," he said.

Hiring for safaris

"An elephant is hired by a hotel for around Rs. 60,000 per month for safaris. When food is sent for the elephant from the dry zone very often it does not consist of a balanced diet. In some cases if the food lorry gets late the elephant has no food. The animals are taken in the sun and  heavy baskets are tied to their backs for many hours. The weight of the basket is also an added burden on the animal," Jayaweera said.

But despite the ongoing plight of the tame elephant population the relevant authorities are yet to take action against elephant owners. If the relevant authorities do not even at this late stage take precautionary measures to protect these majestic beasts, the future generation of the country may not even know what an elephant once looked like.

The soothing world of ayurveda

Later Dr. Senaratne served as acting director of the Bandaranaike Memorial Ayurvedic Research Institute in Nawinna. She has specialised in panchakarma, acupuncture and ayurvedic surgery. 

While being a part time lecturer at the Institute of Indigenous Medicine in Rajagiriya, she completed her postgraduate degree (M. .Phil) there. Later she obtained further training in India and Japan.

Treatment

"There are certain conditions that cannot be cured with Western surgery such as arthritis, asthma, psoriasis, leucoderma, headaches, sinusitis and paralysis. For such conditions, ayurvedic treatment is the positive answer," Dr. Senaratne said.

She explained that in her health centre, oil is applied to the entire body and then massaged for about 30 minutes. "After that we foment the body with bundles made out of leaves, seeds or even sand.  After doing so, we conduct a treatment (pizichil). In it, we make the oil lukewarm and then we pour it onto the body of the patient and massage it. This treatment is started with 30 minutes and gradually we increase the time period daily, adding five minutes up to one hour . This massage is very effective for paralysis, arthritis and diseases of the nervous system," Dr. Senaratne said.

Another similar method of treatment is using milk rice made with decoctions. In this treatment also, oil is applied to the body and then it is fomented with bundles of the prepared milk rice for at least 30 minutes. It is effective for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteo arthritis, sciatica and paralysis.

In this treatment, the oil massage is first commenced and then a herbal stream bath is given. While this is mainly done to reduce weight, the patient is covered except for the head. Being a treatment conducted for three to six months, the Vashpa Sweda is also effective for high blood pressure.

Panchakarma  treatment

1 - Emesis -Vamana

In Vamana the patient is given medicines, which allow him/her to vomit. But for this treatment, the patient has to be prepared first. Ghee is given to drink and then the herbal steam bath is conducted. On the day that the emesis is done, one bottle of milk is given for the patient to drink in the morning and the medicine follows.

The vomiting starts after 45 minutes. This treatment cleans the upper portion of the body, starting from the stomach.  It cures bronchial asthma as well as skin diseases.

2  - Purgation - Virechana

There are three types of purgation. They are drastic, moderate and mild purgation. One type of treatment is selected according to the patient's condition. If the patient is week, only a mild purgation is given where only two to three motions occur. This is effective for gastritis, bowel diseases, haemorrhoids, headaches and skin diseases. 

3 - Nasal inhalation - Nasya

For this treatment, the patient has to arrive at the health centre in the morning, without having breakfast. The head, face (neck upwards) is massaged and fomented with a bundle of leaves. About six drops of oil is put into the nose and then, phlegm comes out. This is effective for sinusitis, chronic headaches, facial paralysis, diseases above the cervical bone, eye diseases and also improves eyesight. 

It is also effective for ear diseases such as tinnitus, where the patient hears a sound in the ear. It helps to cure partial deafness as well. 

4 - Enemata - Vasti

In this, the patient is treated with oils or decoctions for haemorrhoids, bowel diseases such as colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, paralysis and chronic arthritis.

5 - Blood letting - Rakta mokshana

Through bloodletting, the removal of blood is done in six different ways. One method is using a leech to remove the blood and this treatment is carried out to cure skin diseases, rashes, swelling and arthritis. The leech exracts the impure blood (varicose ulcers) and it falls off.

Acupuncture

Having specialised in this specific treatment, Dr. Senaratne conducts acupuncture treatment in her health centre. It is done for asthma, arthritis, backache, sciatica (pain starts from the back and runs downwards), paralysis and headaches. It is effective for many chronic diseases.

Though there are no warding facilities at the Senaratne Ayurvedic Health Centre, the place is clean, serene and tranquil. "We keep a patient who comes in for an oil massage for half an hour after the massage and if they wish, they can take a hot water bath at the centre.

It is very important that the patient follows the rules, when it comes to their diet. Also, they should be careful with their behaviour (regimen)," Dr. Senaratne emphasised.

Shirodhara

This treatment involves pouring lukewarm water on the head, while massaging it. This is effective for people suffering from mental disorders and for those with hypertension as well as headaches. "Shirodhara works on the nerves and the results are marvellous," said Dr. Senaratne.

In addition to the above treatments, herbal baths (avagaha sweda),  are also given to patients at the Senaratne Ayurveda Health Centre. They have bathtubs into which lukewarm decoctions are poured.

Oil is then applied to the patient's head and body and he/she is allowed to sit in the tub, head upwards. The body is emerged in the decoction for 20 minutes, until the patient sweats. This cures diseases in the nervous system as well as arthritis.

For those beauty conscious men and women out there, facial and foot massages are given at the centre. The maximum massage period should not exceed half an hour.

"It improves the lustre of the skin and cures pimples, patches, early wrinkles as well as skin diseases can be got ridden of through face massages," Dr. Senaratne concluded.