By Camelia Nathaniel

Relaxing in the dining area

Not so long ago we lived in fear of being killed in a bomb attack, or amidst some form of terrorist activity. Parents did not travel in the same bus fearing that if terrorists were to explode the bus their children would lose both parents. Yet four years ago after 30 years of bloodshed, our valiant soldiers were able to end a three decade long war and make our motherland a safer place to live in. However it was not easy. It was an extraordinary achievement that our brave soldiers sacrificed much to accomplish.

While almost 120,000 soldiers have sacrificed their lives to free the motherland from the clutches of the brutal terrorists, about 300 service personnel were disabled and totally dependent on others now.

Many of them have sacrificed their eyes so that others can see the beauty of the world, they have sacrificed their hands and are today deprived of the pleasure of holding their loved ones so that we can be free to hold ours, and they have sacrificed their legs and are today wheelchair bound so that we can walk our children to school. Disabled, many of them cannot enjoy the peace for which they scarified so much. In order to ensure that the sacrifices of these brave personnel are never forgotten, the Mihindu Seth Medura in Attidiya was the first project under the Ministry of Defence.

An evening of music and song and Secretary of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa during the presentation of special wheel chairs

The serene, picturesque location is designed to cater to the special needs of these men sine their needs are not such that can be fully provided for within the confines of a hospital or even at their homes. The concept of Mihindu Seth Medura is to establish a ‘Home Away Home’ for severely disabled war heroes, who require continuous care and assistance. In this special setting, their wellbeing is looked into and their dignity is restored whilst ensuring physical, spiritual and mental care with their family, the army and the society at large joining hands as equal partners.

The facility is on a land of 46 acres bordering by a bird sanctuary and the buildings comprise computer laboratory, library and psychotherapy unit.

The classes of creative works, mystery paintings, IT and Yoga provide opportunities for the occupants to improve their talents. The rooms have attached washrooms, TVs and other basic facilities and each occupant is provided with an assistant.

The Commandant of Mihindu Seth Medura, Col. Vajira Kariyawasam said the facility was equipped to cater to 50 patients. It now accommodates 50; five army officers, two navy personnel and 43 army soldiers. “Established on May 30, 2011 under the Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Urban Development (MOD&UD), it is managed and operated by the Sri Lanka Army with a special Board of Management nominated by the Secretary. The facility also aids to uplift its occupants’ psychological and spiritual well being. About 99% of the occupants were paralyzed and three are totally bedridden, but some have improved after the treatment.”

He added that after treatment and care at Mihindu Seth Medura some of the disabled personnel are able to even walk and perform minor tasks. “When the Pakistani tri-forces commander visited the facility he was really impressed with the facilities provided for our injured soldiers. He said that in his country the relevant authorities have not even identified how many of their soldiers are injured. He said that he has never seen this concept anywhere else in the world,” added Col. Kariyawasam.

According to him, a team of Indian doctors had visited the facility and identified five disabled soldiers paralysed due to spinal cord injuries, to conduct stem cell transplant surgery. “The doctors have agreed to perform the operation free of charge and the negotiations are under way, he said.

He further added that there are plans to conduct musical shows in the USA with 1st and 2nd winners of Rana Viru Real star contest, and build an ayurvedic centre at Mihindu Seth Medura.

One of the Army officers at the facility, 35-year-old Lieutenant Wanigasinghe, the father of a five-year-old son, reminiscing how he sustained injuries on that fateful day said “It was the November 20, 2008 in Kilalli near the lagoon. I served in the 5th Vijayaba infantry regiment and was assigned to destroy an enemy bunker located on high ground. We lost several soldiers in the operation. That fateful day, about 2 am I went crawling with several others on a path with electric mines to accomplish the task. We had to crawl removing the mines, and suddenly a blast occurred and I only felt my face heat up and when I touched my face I could feel it in pieces, next I realised that my right hand was in shreds. The only thought that crossed my mind at that point was not the pain of my injury, but of never being able to see my infant son”.

Even at that point Wanigasinghe had not realised his eyes were injured. “I felt that the whole area was dark and could only hear my comrades shouting to evacuate me saying that I was hit. I vaguely felt that I was being dragged away and put into a vehicle, and air lifted. While on the flight one of the other soldiers had seen my tag and realised that I was from his village and had informed my family,” he said.

Today Mihindu Seth Medura has accommodated him so that he would not be a burden on his family. “There isn’t much I can do now as I have lost both my eyes and also my right hand. I have severe scars on my face as well. My son could not understand at first my blindness and asked why I walked with a white cane. But now he says that he loves me because I keep looking for stuff on the road with a white cane while walking,” he said.

Thanks to facilities set up for injured war heroes, today he is recovering and learning to face life. “I am now learning to play the organ and function without much support. I visit home once a month to be with my family, and I am determined not to let this injury hinder my life. I have made this sacrifice for a noble cause and I am proud to have been able to be part of the liberation of my motherland,” he said with great pride and satisfaction.

Another brave young man who has sacrificed his tomorrow so that we could all enjoy the fruits of freedom is 25-year-old Lance Corporal A. Edirisinghe. He was injured in the Mannar area on April 2, 2008. Having partially lost hands and feet he is now wheelchair bound at the prime of his life. “I was injured in an attack in the Adampan area in Mannar while on a mission with six other soldiers. We were crawling toward the enemy line and I suddenly felt that I had been hit. At first I thought I was hit in the shoulder area by the mortar. I was in a daze for a moment and I wanted to tell my colleagues that I was injured, but the words did not come out. However after several attempts I managed to tell them that I was injured. By then I could feel my whole body going numb. I faintly heard one of my comrades shouting to evacuate me and felt them dragging me away by my head.”

He said that he had regained consciousness some time later when he heard his commanding officer’s voice. “He checked me, but as I was wearing the body armour he did not see my injuries and said that I had not been injured. However I had blacked out again and only regained consciousness at the hospital in Colombo. My stomach was bloated like a balloon and I felt that someone inserting a tube into my stomach. However I later found that I had sustained injuries to my spine and had lost the use of all my limbs. I could move my arm, but I cant move my fingers,” he lamented.

However the doctors have told Edirisinghe that he was improving and that he might be able to regain movement and use of his limbs to a point of being independent one day. “I joined the army because I loved it, I still love the army. If I was called to serve again I would never hesitate. I have not given up on a normal life yet and I am hopeful that someday soon, I will be able to walk freely and carry on with my life without depending on anyone,” said determined and hopeful Edirisinghe.

It is heart wrenching to see a young man like Thilina lying helpless on a bed, totally dependent on others. Had he not been injured he would have been an active young officer. Thirty-year-old Major Thilina Chandrakumara’s life has been restricted to a bed or wheelchair for the past five years. Explaining his life and traumatic experience that shattered all his dreams he said that he was the eldest in a family of three. “On the September 27, 2008 I was ordered to destroy an enemy strong point in Muhamalai. We had tried on several occasions but failed with many casualties. I engaged in reconnaissance for around four days prior to the assault. On the day of the assault I set off with 16 others about 1 am to attack at 6 am. However having noticed enemy movement around 5 am we decided to launch the attack. After about half hour of heavy assault we managed to creep into the enemy trench and destroy their bunker complex. I then gathered my troops and returned to our forward defence line. However on the right another eight man team was engaged in combat with the enemy, and I had lost communication with them. After sending my troops to our FDL I went forward to get the other team,” he said recollecting the horrific moments.

Unfortunately Major Thilina could not reach his comrades. “I could not get to them because I suddenly felt this severe pain in my neck. I just collapsed. I vaguely knew that they were dragging me away and I regained consciousness three weeks later in the ICU of the Colombo Army hospital, where I received treatment for the next 4 ½ months before I was transferred to Rana Viru Sevana in Ragama and then to Mihindu Seth Medura.”

He said he has suffered cervical fracture that made him a quadriplegic. He has no specific future plans and he despises people’s sympathy. “I did my duty toward my country, and joining the army was my dream since my childhood and I was prepared for the eventuality. I have no regrets and I don’t want people to feel sorry for me. My only mission now is to settle my brother and sister. In my condition I won’t fool myself into believing that I could have a normal life and future. If I had to do it all over again, I would not hesitate to take the same decisions,” said the determined Major.

These are only a few of the many brave soldiers who have sacrificed much and are paying the price for the freedom they gave us. It is our duty to remember them, and their sacrifice for you and me. Let us retell their tales, lest we forget, that all gave some, but some gave all.

Addressing the ongoing session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, the Sri Lankan delegation at the session said that as a founding member of the Commonwealth, Sri Lanka is firmly committed to the values and principles of the organisation.

“Due process and constitutional requirements have been followed in relation to the impeachment of the former Chief Justice,” the Sri Lankan delegation said at the 22nd session of the Council yesterday.

The comments were made by the Sri Lankan delegation as a right to reply to views expressed by Canada, Sweden and Slovakia.

Canada had urged the government to implement  without delay, the recommendations of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

The Canadian delegation at the 22nd UNHRC session had today urged Sri Lanka to demonstrate its commitment to the Commonwealth fundamental values and principles.

Sweden also raised concerns over the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, including the recent attacks on the judiciary.

Slovakia raised similar concerns on Sri Lanka and called for the effective implementation of the National Action Plan on the LLRC recommendations.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo said that that these reports are totally baseless and that there has been no radiation leak at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.

The High Commission said that the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (Unit-1) is currently in an advanced stage of commissioning.

It said that ‘Initial Fuel Loading’ has been completed and various tests prior to ‘First Approach to Criticality’ are under progress.

Close monitoring of the testing procedures and their results is being undertaken by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

“Further, an AERB Observers’ Team is at the site to monitor various commissioning activities and report to the AERB on a daily basis. Only after checking compliance with safety requirements does AERB permit taking up of the next commissioning stage,” the High Commission said.

The High Commission says at this stage of commissioning, the nuclear fission process has not yet begun and there is no generation of radiation or radioactive material, and therefore, there is no release or leakage of radioactive material.

“Also, as per established practice, area radiation monitoring (within the plant) and environmental radiation monitoring (covering air, water route discharges) are in place and their readings are continuously monitored. These readings are of background level and do not indicate any release or leakage of radioactive material,” the Indian High Commission added.

Sri Lankan environmental activists have protested opposite the Indian embassy in Colombo, demanding a halt to a nuclear power plant being built in southern India.

Environmental groups in Sri Lanka had this week raised fears of the dangers posed by the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant to Sri Lanka.

The 22nd Session of the Human Rights Council opened today with statements by Remigiusz A. Henczel President of the Human Rights Council, Vuk Jeremic, President of the General Assembly and Navanethem Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights.

This was followed by the commencement of the High Level segment where country statements were delivered. Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha and members of the delegation attended the session. The current session runs through the 22 March 2013. Sri Lanka is due to engage the Council under relevant agenda items and a number of thematic sessions.

Today’s agenda also included a High Level Panel on Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA) today. Intervening during the Panel, Deputy Permanent Representative Manisha Gunasekera “recalled that the promotion and protection of human rights as enshrined in the VDPA should be carried out in a spirit of cooperation, mutual respect and dialogue, and in conformity with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and norms governing international relations”.

It was noted that “Sri Lanka is particularly mindful of the VDPA’s affirmation of the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of human rights which denotes the equal importance of civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights” stressed the delegation.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, making a video statement during the panel highlighted that promoting and protecting rights was confirmed as a priority United Nations objective and this lead to the crucial decision to create the post of High Commissoner for Human Rights.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay while making her statement said VDPA is the most significant overarching human rights document produced in the last quarter of century and said that the most pertinent feature in this document is its universality.

Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Plantation Industries and the President’s Special Envoy on Human Rights and leader of the Sri Lanka delegation, who is due to arrive in Geneva on Tuesday, will deliver Sri Lanka’s National Statement during the High Level segment of the Human Rights Council on Wednesday.

The IGP had been instructed to appoint a team to investigate the incident.

Shauketaly was shot at by a group of unidentified men in his house at hotel road in Mount Lavinia last night.

Shauketaly received bullet injuries in his neck and was rushed to the Kalubowila hospital and was later transferred to the Colombo National hospital.

The gun-shot wounds were however not life threatening. Eyewitnesses said they saw three men running away from his room following the shooting incident.

The police said that the two victims were asleep in the house when it was on fire  and they were burned to death.

The police identified the victims as a 37 year old woman and an 8 year old girl.

Meanwhile the husband of the woman and another child who were sleeping separately in the same house were unharmed in the fire.

The police suspect the fire was caused by a mosquito coil which was lit overnight.

The latest incident comes after 1000 children were hospitalized in Gampola this week after suffering from the allergic reaction.

The children were from the Jinaraja Balika (girl’s) school. Gampola Hospital Director Sarath Weerabandara had said that the allergy was still not identified.

Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake had said that the school had been closed till Monday following the incident.

The United Nations has stood by a decision to censor parts of the internal review report on Sri Lanka, saying it was done to protect the names of some UN staff and also strictly confidential documents.

UN Chef de Cabinet, Susana Malcorra told reporters in New York there was a decision taken after a discussion with UN Secretary-General Ban ki-moon regarding how they are going to make the report public.

“The report has references to documents related particularly to the policy committee meetings and the deliberations, but also to some of the code cables that are of a strictly confidential nature.  The Secretary-General felt, and I fully share his view, that there was nothing that will change the transparency to show the report if we took out those aspects that have a clear relation to documents of internal use that were fully available to the Panel, which only indicate how open and available every single person and every single document was, but didn’t necessarily add any value, but also put the Organization at risk by sharing publicly in such a short term internal documents,” she said.

She also said that in some cases there were references to staff members which could put that person in jeopardy vis-à-vis his or her personal safety.

“So that you may find a couple of markers on that.  We feel that this is a responsible way to be transparent.  We feel about this very strongly and we would like to have a shared view with you all, because as much as we want to push the envelope of transparency as the Secretary-General does, we also need to be responsible vis-à-vis the ability of the Organization to handle and manage its own internal affairs.  So, I will pose this to you.  That was the criteria; it was an internal decision taken by the Organization, and we stand by that,” she said.

The Head of the Secretary-General’s Internal Review Panel on United Nations Action in Sri Lanka, Charles Petrie meanwhile said that there was no substantive difference in terms of facts and even argument between the penultimate version of the report and the final version.

“What we were trying to do is to find language that would make the report more balanced and more acceptable in terms of the message that we were trying to give,” he said.

Asked about the White Flag incident, Petrie said there was an honest attempt by the UN to try and get the Government to accept the surrender of the LTTE but it just didn’t work.

A Tamil refugee branded a security threat by ASIO and held in detention in Melbourne has attempted to take his life, following a suicide attempt last week by another Tamil man in Sydney.

Managing arrivals from Sri Lanka has emerged as the biggest challenge for immigration authorities, with the latest boat intercepted at Cocos Island on Wednesday carrying 86 people.

It comes as international pressure builds for a boycott of the Commonwealth meeting to be held in Sri Lanka next year.

More than 5700 Sri Lankans have landed on Australian territory this year, making up more than 80 per cent of all asylum seekers who have arrived by boat.

The Immigration Department has stepped up involuntary deportation of Sri Lankans from the majority Singhalese ethnic group, including 32 on Thursday.

But the number of arrivals continues to outpace deportations and the United Nations has expressed alarm that Australia may not be adequately assessing asylum claims.

Of Sri Lankan asylum seekers already in Australia, the most difficult cases include more than 50 people, the majority Tamils, held in detention.

They have been found to be refugees – preventing them being returned home – but branded a security risk by ASIO, making them ineligible for release into the community.

About 10 men with adverse assessments are being held at the Broadmeadows centre in Melbourne. There have been several suicide attempts this year among the group.

The latest case involves a man – known as Fairfax – who has been detained since June 2009.

He was found early on Thursday morning by another detainee and taken to hospital. (Huntsvaley news)

Another group of Sri Lankan men have been sent home to Sri Lanka from Christmas Island to Colombo today, the Australian High Commission in Colombo said.

This is the sixth involuntary removal to take place in the last week and was made up of 32 Sri Lankan men, all recent arrivals from a number of different boats.

This latest group takes to 232 the number of Sri Lankans returned involuntarily since 13 August, the High Commission said.

The men were advised of their status and that they were subject to removal from Australia. They raised no issues that engaged Australia’s international obligations.

Without a valid visa they had no legal right to remain in Australia and were removed at the earliest opportunity.

“The message is clear that people who pay smugglers are risking their lives and throwing their money away. There is no visa awaiting them on arrival, there is no speedy outcome, and no special treatment,” the High Commission quoted Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Bowen.

The Government will continue to return people where they do not engage Australia’s international obligations.

“We are committed to breaking the people smuggling trade and preventing people from taking these dangerous boats to Australia. And we will continue to regularly transfer people to Nauru and shortly to Manus Island,” he said.

Since 13 August, 324 Sri Lankans have returned home – both voluntarily and involuntarily – as people realise that these smugglers only sell lies and false promises about what awaits people in Australia.

People returned involuntarily do not have access to reintegration assistance.