Twenty-year-old  Fathima was knocked down by a speeding ambulance and thrown atop bleeding victims of the Ratmalana bomb blast
How much comfort can ease the pain?		More Review Articles... When tragedy brings us  together Hospitals in distress How a home of pedigreed pets found room for a stray Sixty years of the CNAPT Child labour - eliminate or encourage? Are fathers celebrated only once a year? The story of Socks   Fashion HUMOUR

Who will help Fathima to face the world?

By Ranee Mohamed

Clad in a purple Shalwar  Kameez 20 year old Fathima was on her way  to work on the morning of Friday June 6 at  about 8.05.  Despite the worrying thoughts on her mind, the young girl resembled an Indian film star. She was thinking of her ailing father  - and the state of her family was the factor that drove her to achieve success in life.

Yet all that determination was knocked down when a speeding ambulance coming from Ratmalana knocked Fathima who was crossing the road near the Pizza Hut in Dehiwela.

Fathima had been on the left lane, safe among the traffic going towards Ratmalana when all at once, the ambulance, wailing like a monster had come on to her from the opposite side of the road from where traffic was going towards Bambalapitiya. If the ambulance had followed its designated course of going on the right side of the road instead of swerving on to the left side, Fathima would not be in hospital today.

Screeched

When Fathima was knocked down, the ambulance had screeched to a halt and  heaped  her atop the bleeding victims of the Ratmalana bomb blast  who were being taken to the Kalubowila hospital," said a relative who was a spectator.

Fathima's mother who had packed lunch packets for her husband and daughter had been cooking some additional curries for lunch when her older sister had come running  into the house, crying with the heartbreaking news that Fathima, her only daughter, whom she had cared for like a jasmine, had been knocked down and swished away.

"I could not believe what had happened to my daughter. She had just recovered from chicken pox and was weak anyway. How could she survive an accident," were the thoughts on her head as her heart broke into pieces.

Difficulty

The family had rushed to the Kalubowila hospital but had experienced difficulty in getting in - and thereafter in finding Fathima.

Young Fathima who had never known pain in her life had been gradually regaining consciousness and had begun to battle with the blood gushing from her face and mouth. "I had never experienced such excruciating pain all over my body. I could not move my legs or my hands. I could not scream, yet I was crying," said Fathima whose blood and tears mingled to show the depth of her anguish on that Friday morning.

Breadwinner

"It was my father who was on my mind. He was ill with a long-standing problem with his legs and he is the breadwinner whose meagre earnings that I was supporting - because I love him very much," said Fathima now lying in bed No. 22 of ward No. 2 at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital.

 Fathima's flawless face is now marred  with swollen lips and scratches, she is frightened to talk lest one sees the frontal teeth that have been knocked off in the violent accident.

Saline

"I cannot eat, I cannot drink. I am given saline," said Fathima in tears as her heartbroken mother stands by her, attending to her needs.

"I cannot smile, I cannot cry," says this young girl, weeping in a deep personal sorrow. Her beauty remains evident, yet the deep wounds inflicted upon her by the speeding ambulance is a trauma that will stay with her for a lifetime.

Fathima lifts a sheet coyly and shows her legs now covered in plaster of Paris. There is no way that Fathima can move.

Hopes

Young Fathima  has had many hopes. Her young life was not a joy-filled one as she strove on to help her family to struggle through the food bills and the electricity and water bills. The income that her father brought home from his job as a storekeeper was just not enough for the four of them to eat and pay the bills. That is why Fathima while studying had decided to go to work.

Not rich

"My brother is going to school and I have to help my parents to educate him. We are not rich people," said Fathima whose family had fled Jaffna in 1990 in fear of the war.

'We thought that we will be injured or killed in the war so we decided to come to Colombo. Today, my mother, father and brother live in a rented house  at Waidya Road, Dehiwela," she said in tears.

Fathima who works at the British College of Applied Studies situated at  Dharmarama Road, Wellawatte has already paid for the Esoft examinations, but sadly she will unable to sit for the examination as she is unable to even sit up in bed.

No authority

Sadly, there is no authority or representative that is looking into Fathima's needs. As her parents struggle through to visit her and bring her food each day, there is none to ask how they are  coping - mentally and materially.

"My father is unable to go to work. He cannot bear to see me like this and he has not stopped crying ever since I was knocked down," said Fathima in tears. Young Fathima  who initially refused to let go of her father's hand from the moment she was knocked down is now worried about what her accident will do to her father.

In tears

"Our family is in tears, my mother is crying, my father is traumatised and I am heartbroken. My brother is trying to help us, but there is little he can do because he is a student," said Fathima.

"My sister was only interested in uplifting our family from the sad plight we are in. As we have fled from Jaffna we are not well off. We are trying to live, day by day," said her brother Arshath.

"My sister Fathima was only interested in studying. Even her hobbies are studying. She used to come after work, drink a cup of tea and sit down and study. That is because she loved us all very much and was determined to improve our family income," said Arshath shaking with emotion.

"They are innocent people and are helpless. They do not know lawyers and do not have the means to seek legal aid," said a relative who expressed sadness at the plight of Fathima's family.

Recover

"It will take a long time for Fathima to recover from her injuries. I really do not know how they will find the money to spend on medication for her. I do not know how they will live," he said.

Fathima  is surrounded by patients in ward No. 2. She does not want to be there, but there is nothing she can do.

"I want my teeth back," she says in tears. But her front teeth have been knocked off in the accident. The remaining few had been loosened and crooked, making  premature extractions necessary.

Cry

Fathima turns her once-beautiful face away and begins to cry. She does not want to look in a mirror and see her mouth - now sans teeth.

As this young woman battles with this personal trauma there seems to be no one in sight who can help Fathima and her family with the expenses that are rising and the bills that are mounting.

Yet Fathima  continues to pray - and it is these prayers on which she depends  for her wounds to heal and for the money to flow in - to help her family to stay alive despite her close brush with death.

When tragedy brings us  together

By Shezna Shums

To be proud to be a Sri Lankan can be quite a rare occasion. There are honestly only a few occasions on which one can recount  all Sri Lankan citizens coming  together to help each other regardless of race and religion.

However such action can only be seen in the face of  a tragedy. The last time one can remember all Sri Lankans coming together to help one another was  after the tsunami, when  basic necessities were needed for the victims of the tsunami.

People of all race and religions brought whatever they were able to buy to donate to the helpless victims.

However another occasion  on which  all Sri Lankans joined hands together was on Friday, June  6. It  was another time when we were proud to be Sri Lankans.

The scene was on Galle Road and the time was just after the bomb blast in Moratuwa.

A colleague and I were on our way to work in Ratmalana in the morning  just after the Morotuwa incident had taken place.

Seeing many ambulances  going to and fro on road, transporting the injured to hospitals in the height of the morning traffic, it was obvious that there would be delays.

Knowing this fact, many people  - trishaw drivers, officer workers, shop boys and others who were on Galle literally stopped their work, left their bus stands and  their trishaws and directed one lane  on Galle  Road clear of the usual vehicles.

These spirited individuals did not  bother about  getting late or missing a hire but were more concerned about moving vehicular traffic from one lane on the landside of Galle road so that the ambulances could soon get to hospital.

People in their office attire, drivers  and ordinary citizens were all helping the  police officers  to cordon off this one lane the whole time so that an ambulance will not get stuck in traffic when taking the injured to hospital. This sight was certainly one occasion when we were proud of our  fellow citizens.

One can only hope and pray that people lunite this way  at all times rather than only when a tragedy occurs.

Hospitals in distress

By Shezna Shums

In a country where innumerable people are being injured in bomb blasts, road accidents as well as a countless numbers of injured soldiers being brought into hospitals each day the workload of hospitals have increased.

Every time there is a problem and many people are injured, it is not surprising to see on television, visuals of the hospital entrances and  nurses and attendant waiting with stretchers to receive the injured.

Scenes from inside the hospital show patients with minor injuries being treated on the corridors and in wards while the more serious patients are taken into the operating rooms.

With all the problems this country endures, it is actually appeasing to note that the national hospitals are ready and also have the experience to deal with an emergency at any time.

When a crisis situation  arises, ambulances have to be dispatched, the injured have to be taken to the hospitals on time regardless of the traffic problems and road closures, in order to be treated as soon as they can to be saved.

The Sunday Leader spoke with officials at some of the national hospitals to find out how they prepare in expectation of mass casualties and deal with the injured at such short notice.

Director Accident Ward, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Dr Anil Jasinghe told The Sunday Leader that the accident ward of the hospital is ready at any given time  to deal with a medical emergency.

Like a standing order, the hospital is ready at any time to receive patients after an accident, bomb attack or even a sudden  terrorist attack.

"We are not just ready to treat bomb victims but accident casualties as well," said the director.

The hospital has an accident service plan in order to deal with the mass casualties, highlighted the director.

What happens is that when there is an emergency and the accident ward has to deal with many casualties,  there is an immediate mobilization of hospital resources.

When the hospital is aware of the problem, such as a bomb blast, road accident or injuries from the battlefield, the hospital to some extent knows the types of injuries they will have to deal with.

"So to cope up with these injuries the hospital has to be  well geared accordingly," said Dr Jasinghe.

When handling mass casualties the main factor is mobilizing resources, some of the resources include manpower, space, equipment, theatre, hospital medical facilities such as X rays and others as well as beds for the patients.

The plan is to know how to mobilize the resources at an emergency.

Also speaking to The Sunday Leader was Dr. L.U.C. Kumarage, Deputy Director, Sri Jayawardena Pura Hospital.

Dr Kumarage said that the hospital is equated with a separate disaster plan to deal with mass casualties when the need arises.

Each sector of the hospital is aware of the role they have to play when the hospital is dealing with patients following a bomb blast, road accident or injured military persons.

The hospitals are always ready to accept any injured persons.

And given the previous experiences in this country many of the hospitals are well aware of preparation plans that have to be done as soon as they hear of a problem and expect injured casualties.

"Every sector in the hospital is aware of what they should do when there is an emergency, even the telephone exchange is aware that  all normal hospital calls ought to  be ceased, and emergency related calls given priority," explained the deputy director.

How a home of pedigreed pets found room for a stray

In high company: With the Great Dane

By Risidra Mendis

He was dumped on the streets to die. But fate had other plans for him. His  desperate cries for help paid off when it was saved by an animal lover close to where it was dumped on the road. With no food or water and nobody to take care of him this puppy too would have died if not for the kindness shown to him by a family in Kohuwela.

It is a common sight these days to see hundreds of puppies dumped on the streets to die. But fortunately for this puppy its cries for help attracted Chinky Seneviratne an animal lover who saved it from an agonizing death.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader Chinky said she heard the constant cries of a puppy close to her home. "The cries of the puppy that began in the morning continued till around 3.30 p.m. The sounds of the puppy told me it was in great pain. When the cries continued into the afternoon I could not  bear it any longer and together with my domestic Karuna went out to the road to investigate. The cries of the puppy were faint by now but it was clear the sounds were coming from under a hedge close to a garbage dump," Chinky said.

Chinky and Karuna had no way of getting the puppy out and had to get the assistance of a man on the road. "I asked a man walking on the road to help me get this puppy out. From the look on his face I realized that the man thought I was mad, but he helped me to get the puppy out of the hedge. When the puppy was taken out it was stinking and lifeless. I thought the puppy was stinking because it was in the garbage dump. But on closer inspection I realized that the puppy's left leg was crushed and full of maggots," Chinky said.

She adds that Karuna was clueless as to what to do. "Karuna asked me what we should do. I told her we cannot  leave this puppy on the road so lets take it home.

Chinky's decision to take the puppy home was not an easy one, as she already had three large dogs of her own. Chinky, Karuna and her domestic Mary have a handful to deal with when it comes to their three dogs - Rover, a German Shepherd, Shadow a great Dane and Butch a Rotweiller. Chinky's husband Dr Sarath too is  an animal lover and her son always supports her in giving their dogs the best in food and medical attention. When the Seneviratnes are overseas it is Karuna and Mary who look after the dogs. However the lives of the Seneviratnes took a new turn when this little puppy became an addition to their household.

"A part of the puppy's leg was hanging, but I was determined to save its leg. I took the puppy to Dr Kodikara who treated it and said its leg would have to be amputated. I then took the puppy to Dr Wijesekera and told him to save the puppy's leg. "There were no bones in the puppy's leg and for over a month I kept taking the puppy to the veterinary surgeon for treatment. Finally to my relief the puppy's left leg was saved by Dr Wijesekera," Chinky explained.

The puppy was named Jimmy and is today the most important member in the Seneviratne household. "When Jimmy runs or walks he puts his foot down. But when he is standing he keeps his foot up due to the absence of bones in his foot. He bullies the other dogs and is not afraid of their sizes," Chinky said. 

Chinky adds that she never regrets having taken Jimmy into her house as he is the best dog she has. "Jimmy is now one and a half years old. He is very naughty but at the same time he is the best watch dog I have. When my gate is open he runs out and chases the dogs on the road and is always alert," Chinky said. 

Apart from the high expenses incurred to take care of four dogs Chinky helps her aunt Rukmani de Abrew Wickremesinghe financially, to look after around 40 to 50 dogs and cats.       

Despite the good breeds they have the Seneviratnes did not hesitate to take in a stray that was on the verge of dying. Their kindness towards animals should be taken as a good example by those who pay exorbitant sums of money to have only dogs of good breeds in their houses. If every family who has a pure bred or pedigreed dog take in a cross bred puppy the cruelty to animals and the deaths of hundreds of innocent puppies on the streets in the country can be prevented.

Sixty years of the CNAPT

By Ranee Mohamed

The Ceylon National Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis was the  brain child of Dr. J.H.F.Jayasuriya. The CNAPT came into being on June 17, 1948 and will mark its 60th anniversary on Tuesday.

When its inaugural meeting was held, Tuberculosis was the scourge of the land. The inaugural meeting was  held on June 17, 1948, just a few months after independence, at the Town Hall, Colombo with the Governor General of that time, Sir Henry Monk-Mason Moore presiding.

It was very symbolic that the rain that had continued for several hours, suddenly stopped and  the sun streamed down on the cars and rolled into the assembly hall, perhaps portraying the work of the CNAPT just formed, with President of the Rotary Club of Colombo, Dr. J.H.F. Jayasuriya in attendance.

Associated with the early beginnings of the CNAPT are Sir Gerard Wijeyekoon, Senator Cissy Cooray, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, Sir, Henry Monk-Mason Moore, Dr. J.H.F. Jayasuriya, Dr. Frank Gunasekera, Dr. Milanius de Almeida, D. S.F. Chellappah, Dr. George Ranawake, T.B. Jayah, Senator R.F.S. de Mel, Lady Howard, Sir Ivor Jennings, Sir, John Tarbat, Sir Francis Soertsz, Mohamed Macan Markar and other distinguished persons of that era.

A benefactor

Senator Sam P.C. Fernando  was also associated with the CNAPT since its inception. Today his good work is continued by his daughter Dr. Sicille P.C. Kotelawala who is also a vice President of the CNAPT and a benefactor helping the cause of the CNAPT todate.

Dr. J.R. Wilson (former Chairman ),  Dr. C.G. Uragoda (former chairman), Dr. P.R. Anthonis (former President), Dr. George Wijegunaratne (former president) Sir Cyril Soysa ( former President)  are names that go into the making of  the history of the CNAPT.

Present day Vice presidents also include Dr. P.R. Anthonis, Dr. Sicille P.C. Kotelawala, Muni Kundanmal, Siva Obeysekera, and Prof. Emil A. Wijewantha.

The CNAPT is a community organisation of lay public and doctors with a strong determination to achieve TB control in the quickest possible time.

According to its present President Dr. B. Kaluarachchi, the CNAPT represents a promise that public awareness will be kept high, the people educated and the state assisted in the control of this disease.

Successes achieved

"Despite the success achieved by the health authorities in many countries up to now, the World Health Organisation has warned of the resurgence of tuberculosis and forewarned that in the next 10 years approximately 90 million people would be affected by this disease. The WHO has declared tuberculosis as a 'global emergency.'

"We in Sri Lanka are not immune to this rising incidence of tuberculosis and the CNAPT for its part has to change its traditional role and develop a new approach to meet the challenges of the disease in the 21st century. The occasion of the 60th anniversary will be an appropriate focal point to plan for the transition," says President Dr. B. Kaluarachchi.

"The early work of the CNAPT has to be viewed in the context of the tuberculosis problem that existed  60 years ago. The disease was then rampant. Medical treatment was in its infancy and a proper regimen of treatment was yet to be evolved. The disease was often fatal and carried a stigma that prevented patients from seeking treatment. The efforts of the government were woefully inadequate to cope with the situation," points out Dr. Kaluarachchi.

A sad issue of that time  had been the plight of children afflicted by tuberculosis, for whom there was no special hospital accommodation.

The remedy

"The CNAPT stepped in to remedy the situation by building three wards in hospitals. These were the Welisara Children's Ward (1952), the Hawke Memorial Ward at Kandana (1955) and the Clarence Nathanielz Memorial Ward in Welisara (1960) which provided a total of 165 beds exclusively for children.

The total cost of Rs.900,000 for the construction of these wards was raised through the efforts of the CNAPT. Rs. 375,000 out of the total cost of Rs.550,000 for the construction of the ward at Kandana came from the Joseph Hawke Trust bequeathed by an Englishman who lived in the country for 50 years.

"Another commitment of the CNAPT to the cause of the children was the establishment of a home for children whose parents were affected by tuberculosis. The objective was to prevent the spread of the disease through their parents. A house set in the spacious grounds overlooking the Bolgoda Lake, owned by Sir Frank Gunasekera Trust was taken over by the CNAPT as a preventorium to provide a home for the children till their parents became non-infectious," points out Dr. Kaluarachchi.

"The idea that drives the association is that prevention of tuberculosis is a national duty and that all men and women of goodwill should join together  to eradicate it. It is thus of utmost importance that the efficacy of the CNAPT be further strengthened and developed," says Dr. Kaluarachchi.

 Educating patients

In 1950 when there was hardly an established system of home visits by personnel of the Department of Health for the purpose of educating patients and their families, the CNAPT  has conceived the idea of organizing visits to homes in Colombo to create tuberculosis awareness. It was estimated that there were around 20,000 homes in Colombo at that time.

The first clinic to control the disease in the provinces was conceived by the CNAPT at a time when only Colombo had such facilities. The Thassim Chest Clinic, named after the Mayor of Galle and the President of the Galle Branch of the CNAPT A.R.M. Thassim was built at the insistence of the CNAPT.

President Dr. B. Kaluarachchi recalled that  in 1950 the CNAPT solicited the assistance of the Ceylon Turf Club to ease the hardships undergone by TB patients, and the club had agreed to organise a special "TB Race meet to raise funds for the cause. The meet had raised Rs.74,633 and an additional sum of Rs.71,442 from the club enabled the CNAPT to grant financial assistance to selected patients and their families.

"In the early 1950s when the patients discharged from hospital found it difficult to obtain employment due to the stigma attached to the disease, the CNAPT embarked on a programme to boost self employment.

Vocational training

The CNAPT decided to provide vocational training and tailoring was selected for the purpose. Messres Hidramani Ltd., had gifted a large building with spacious ground while the CNAPT provided furniture and machines for the inmates residing in the premises," says Dr. Kaluarachchi.

Today, advances in the medical treatment of tuberculosis over the years have changed the strategies required to control the disease.

The incidence of tuberculosis in the country has declined dramatically and the recent administration of the BCG vaccination at birth has made tuberculosis in children a negligible factor, which resulted in the closure of the children's ward built by the CNAPT.

It is the regular administration of drugs and not the provision of nutrients to patients that is the important factor now. The duration of treatment which originally dragged on for 4 years has now been reduced to 6 months.." points out President of the CNAPT Dr. Kaluarachchi.

Today the CNAPT  is carrying out a national school health programme to promote awareness on TB.  CNAPT has also  initiated a study which has been undertaken by the Department of Sociology of the Sri Jayawardenapura University under the supervision of the Professor of Sociology acting as consultant to the CNAPT.

June 12 - International day against child labour

Child labour - eliminate or encourage?

By Fathima Razik

Sri Lanka can eliminate child labour if an honest attempt is made, and one child working as a domestic help is one child too many," declared Hiranthi Wijemanne former chairman, National Child Protection Authority and presently Advisor, in her presentation at the dialogue for stakeholders and the media organised under the aegis of Panos South Asia last week.

The legal basis related to child labour in clearly defined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the ILO Conventions 138 and 182, and the minimum age for admission to employment/work, standards to regulate hours of work, the conditions of employment, penalties thereof and methods to enforce regulations, supported by amendments to the Penal Code very lucidly defining the norms in this regard.

Alarming percentage

An alarming percentage of children are employed in Sri Lanka - 21% - for economic gains, some of them attending school or an educational institution but nevertheless engaging in labour at other times. "Around 19,110 children are engaged as domestic helps," Wijemanne told a rapt audience. The majority is girls (70%) and of them 79% are from rural areas. Research has found that children also work in construction sites, textile and garment trade are no exception and manufacturing establishments also employ children below 15 years. Some are forced to give up school and their education to support their families. 

Six percent of children do not attend school or any educational institute. Wijemanne said that there are many child beggars on the streets in the cities while thankfully the rural areas are devoid of such sights. Referring to the worst form of child labour as those who in the process suffer physical, sexual and emotional abuse Wijemanne went on to explain that all these forms of abuse sometimes take place at the same time as the issues are inter-connected. Add to this recruitment of children as child combatants and the future of generation of Sri Lanka appears to be doomed.

"Where child labour is concerned there is a demand and supply situation. One effective way of combating or containing the number of children who may end up in child labour is by conducting child to child campaigns," stressed Wijemanne. The negative impact of child labour is amplified through the denial of education, the impact on health and nutrition, the abuses a child is subjected to, being deprived of parents, family and social contact, lack of an identity, lack of an opportunity to fulfill their potential and most importantly the loss of childhood which is irreplaceable.  

The onus

What then is society doing? is the question that begs an answer.

For a start an attitudinal and behavioural change is important while one should adopt zero tolerance. Poverty being the root cause needs to be addressed with the objective of reducing demand rather than supplying since if no one employs a child it obviously will mean that it is not possible to have child labour. It's that simple.

Compulsory

Education must be made compulsory and legislation in this regard be strictly enforced. Improving avenues for non formal education will also complement positive steps towards eliminating child labour. Society needs to get proactively engaged in combating child labour in all forms. After all, which parent would want to see his/her child working for a stranger, another household or commercial establishment and in most cases being subject to some or many forms of abuse? At the end of the day, is it worthwhile for a poor parent to send his child to engage in some form of labour to supplement the family coffers when irrespective of the salary that is being paid, be it princely or otherwise, will still have robbed that child of his treasure at a tender age - his childhood?

Time and again the media highlights the ill-effects of child labour making one wonder how much those who read/view these ill-effects feel about the plight of a young, innocent child exposed to a strange, new world, sans family and familiar surroundings? "Do avoid stigmatisation when reporting on such sensitive issues and do not just black out the eyes only when featuring a child," pleaded Wijemanne, who went on to say that in such situations the child should not be featured at all. With her vast experience in dealing with such issues for decades having seen how news on issues pertaining to child labour can cause a ripple effect on children themselves she went on to say that the names of the parents, their village and reporting on court cases dealing with children should be avoided.

"Eliminating child labour should be everyone's business," she emphasised in conclusion. 

Today is Father's Day

Are fathers celebrated only once a year?

By Nirmala Kannangara

Fathers Day is celebrated  around the world today to show love and affection to fathers who are as important as mothers in one's life. . Though this has been celebrated the world over it is disheartening to note that Sri Lankans, across the board celebrate Fathers Day in different ways. And one wonders how in a country like Sri Lanka that has rich cultural values only one day in the year is set apart to celebrate a father. 

Do Sri Lankans really need to shower a father - invariably the rock in the family with unconditional love and affection only on a particular day to express gratitude?

It is our duty to show a father how much we care every day of the year while seeing to his well-being as well since he does not set aside days in which to feed, clothe and educate his children. He provides for his family everyday, almost throughout his life.

Toils

A father toils day in day out to raise his family undergoing many difficulties in the  process. He is always there when the family needs him irrespective of his other commitments - always helping, protecting, advising and nurturing the family.

 Do you remember the day when as a child you fell and hurt yourself? And do you remember what your father did to ease the pain? He would have carried you immediately, comforted you and would have done whatever possible to relieve you of the pain at that time. In a serious situation he would put you into the car and rushed you to a doctor or a hospital. 

Having a father in the family is one of the best gifts that a child can have. The family has a sense of security with a father being around.

How wonderful it would be when children have fathers who love them? A father can inspire children to strike a balance in life - physically, mentally and spiritually. 

The rich, booming sound of a father's laughter echoes throughout and families recall with happiness or even with sadness of moments when the walls of a room have reveberated with the sounds of a fathers laughter.

Appreciate

Appreciate your father every day. Fathers do not change but unfortunately children do as they grow older. Do not wait to speak well of your father till he leaves this world. Appreciate him and what he does for you when he is alive. Tributes to him when he is no more don't matter much.

How can a child thank a father for life it self? Children do tend to take so much for granted that today one finds many fathers who wonder where they went wrong. 

Yet it is disheartening to note that fathers are left in elders homes in the evening   of their lives where they are left to struggle with the loneliness they undergo. How is it that children fail to appreciate their parent when they become old?      

The Sunday Leader visited the Grace Perera Elders' Home in Sri Saranankara Road, Dehiwela and spoke to some of the fathers who have been left there by their families. Although the children of these fathers hardly visit them the fathers eagerly await a visit by their children that are so rare. And despite such obvious loneliness they do not wish to reveal how they feel to the outside world.

Suffer in silence

Grace Perera Elders Home, Secretary,  Mala Samaranayake and the Matron, Mangalika Weerasinghe told The Sunday Leader how these fathers suffer in silence due to their children's absence.

"Not only the fathers but the mothers too do not like to speak ill of their children," Samaranayake said.

The most hallowed persons in the world - mothers and fathers are left behind by their own children in the care of unknown people but the secretary and the matron at Grace Perera Elders Home look after these senior citizens to the best of their ability. They treat them as their own parents and also ensure that the elders are entertained whenever possible.

Longing

Naris (80), Krishna (86), R.M. Punchibanda (72) and R.A. David Peiris (82) were longing to see their children but according to Samaranayake their children appear to have forgotten that their parents are still living.

Typically, these elders continue to stand by their children telling this newspaper that  their children visit them regularly and provide for their needs.

"They come very often and bring necessary things for us. Although they tell us to live with them we don't want to be a burden to our children. Some of have come here without the knowledge of our children as we want to spend the rest of our lives freely," these helpless fathers told The Sunday Leader.

Neglected

However the reality is that these elders are neglected by their children according to sources at the Grace Perera Elders Home.

" Most of the children never visit their fathers but there are some who visit them once in a while. In such instances too the children do not bring their fathers anything  and instead take away what the fathers get from donors. It's really pathetic to see how the elders react when they see their own kith and kin and they readily give away the gifts they receive from well-wishers. They hardily keep even a cake of soap giving away every single item they have to their children. Sometimes we wonder whether these children visit their fathers  to see them or to 'rob' them. If children drop by during meal times these elders still prefer to give their meal to the children. Although they have been neglected by the children it's fascinating to see how they defend them. Other than a few mothers and fathers the rest will not say a single word against their children. This is amazing and such devotion and loyalty should be a fine example to children," Samaranayake told The Sunday Leader.  

Make believe        

 Some fathers live in a world of make believe thinking of their beloved children. They think that their  children would visit either today or tomorrow.

It is a pity that their  children have completely forgotten their fathers - the person who provided them all the comforts  when they were kids.

Now that they are  old and feeble, and at a time that they really need their children's love and attention it is sad that children personify callous disregard to the simple needs and wants of their fathers who have been their rock till they reached a stage when they could stand on their own two feet.

The story of Socks

By Ranee Mohamed

"Please help to find Socks, for his loss has broken his master's heart,' said Dixon Wickremasinghe, manager, Borneo Exotics.

Socks, a four and a half year  male dog had been the best friend of his master, Robert Cantley from the United Kingdom, the proprietor of Borneo Exotics. "He treated us as friends too because he knew that we were working for his master,' said Wickremasinghe.

But in March when Robert Cantley left the country on  a business trip, Socks as usual was sent to  the highland plant nursery in Hindula where he was looked after by the workers there.

Wandered away

"Socks used to travelling almost once a week from their residence in Thalawathugoda (in the Malabe area) to Hindula. He had a separate seat in the Hyundai Caravan type vehicle where they used to travel with foreign visitors and his master," said Wickremasinghe.

But in March, when Socks had been sent away for safe keeping to the Hindula Plant Nursery, a gate had been opened by  some painters who had come into the nursery and  Socks had wandered away.

"When his master returned to Sri Lanka the news that Socks was lost almost broke his heart. He drove to Hindula immediately and spent over two weeks there looking for Socks. There is nothing that we did not do. We looked all over, we informed people, we published advertisements in the  newspapers. We also printed leaflets and distributed them all everywhere," said Wickremasinghe.

The reward for finding Socks which during the first few  days was Rs.10,000 became Rs.30,000. The leaflets plead with would-be finders to feed and care for Socks the moment he is found. Yet there was no sign of him.

Extraordinary

Socks described as 'an ordinary Sri Lankan dog', is undoubtedly extra ordinary when it comes to winning hearts.

There is much heartache and many tears shed in the name of Socks who was fed on imported pet food. Docile and loving, Socks had only been used to love and kindness by his master and all his employees.

Socks had never eaten rice, so in his long tread back home from Hindula to Thalawathugoda, it is unlikely that Socks has eaten a meal. Frightened and alone, the only spurring factor in Socks' long journey is his master's voice and his master's touch.

"We know that Socks has left the Hindula Plant Nursery and is making his way back to Thalawathugoda," said Wickremasinghe. But so far, no one has found him.

Help find him

Socks has to pass through many a winding road - it is a long, hard  walk towards the one he loves. Search parties have looked everywhere in the  Talawakelle and Hatton areas,  but Socks has never been sighted. The plea is to find Socks whose feet may by now be worn in trying to reach his master. The plea is find this best friend who is lost and who may not last in the harsh and unfriendly surroundings of the streets where dogs are pelted with stones and chased away at sight.

Please help to find Socks and wipe the tears and heartache. For it is only Socks that can make happiness bloom again at the Borneo Exotics Plant Nursery.