Sri Lanka, June 4 -- While Sri Lanka celebrated the second anniversary of the victory over terrorism, we visited the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen's Veterans home, which is being run by the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen's Association (SLESA) providing home for the veterans of 2nd World War and the recent war. This home is situated on a peaceful two-acre land at Bolagala in Katana about 52km from Colombo. After passing a driveway decorated with red flowerbeds and surrounded by a beautiful garden we entered the old-era house which had been donated to the SLESA in 1985 along with the land, by Late Bharatha Wickramasinghe, a Sri Lankan Engineer who resided in Britain. This nearly 90 year-old house includes a dormitory along with 20 cubicles and a large verandah and 10 chalets of which four are twin chalets.
When we entered the house two senior residents were relaxingly reading newspapers while a visitor was talking to a resident. This scene with the welcoming insides of the house gave us a homelike feeling rather than a typical residence of senior citizens. The veterans home Resident Manager Pemsiri Senevirathne, a Rtd. Lieutenant of the Navy warmly welcomed us and talked about his wish to work with dedication and in a sacrificial spirit to keep the veterans happy and comfortable. According to Mr. Senevirathne, this home is the only place in Sri Lanka which accepts physically and mentally able veteran ex-servicemen who don't have anyone to look after them. This home established 42 years after the cessation of the 2nd World War, accepted its first veteran P. Senanayake of Ceylon Garrison Artillery in March 1987. "At present about 20 veterans are living here. They include four 2nd World War veterans and we have readily provided almost all the required facilities for their day-to-day life including leisure" Mr. Senevirathne said.
According to him regular meals and tea, a monthly medical clinic conducted by a visiting doctor from SL Air Force, electricity and pipe born water are available for all the residents. The home has its own vehicle to immediately transport anyone who false seriously ill to the nearby Akaragama hospital and if necessary to the Negambo main hospital. The residents are provided with newspapers and could play games such as carrom, watch televisions, listen to radios and even use computers inside the home. In addition, a walk-way has been built in the garden for those who like to have an evening walk. "In our home residents have freedom to go outside if they wish, and can go whenever they want if it's a short distance they can go, If a resident wants to visit his family members or relatives who live far away they may do so after informing us" he said. On the staff are two cooks, a gardener, an attendant to look after the 2nd World War veterans and a driver for the vehicle along with the manager. Mr. Senevirathne said some ex-servicemen who did not know about this home lived in elders homes where they paid large amounts of money. When a Rtd. military personnel who wish to enter this home, need to become members of SLESA and pay a deposit of Rs.10,000 which will be used as expenses in the case of death while the monthly rent is Rs. 5,000 to 6,000. Recently, the Navy Commander who visited the home said he greatly appreciated the service and the care given to these senior citizens who risked their lives for the country.
Residents in this home live in close friendship and we saw them having lunch as one family and having chats in the garden. We also got the chance to talk with some enthusiastic senior
residents. 68 year-old Clarence Brown is a Rtd. Telecommunication officer in the Signal Corps of the Army and a former member of the Ceylon Symphony Orchestra said, "The kind of life we want at this age we have here". In his well-kept apartment we saw a number of classical music CD's that he enjoyed listening to. Mr. Brown said he also listened to more music on the internet. Leslie Thiele (73), of the Navy entered the home a month ago and is happy about his new residence. He has TV facility in his chalet and showing us his successful bean garden said that he was contributing from it, to the homes' kitchen.
He was getting ready to visit his son when we met him, and said he was proud that his son had followed in his footsteps and joined the Air Force.
SLESA has a separate fund for the veteran's home and only the annual interest is utilized for the home expenses like food, salaries to the staff and other administrative expenses. Donations are being kindly received for the maintenance and development activities which make the residents' lives more comfortable. "During the dry season the two wells in the compound can't cope with the need for water. So, constructing a deep well is a pressing need for which about Rs. 400,000 is needed" Mr. Senevirathne said. As for current development activity, a parapet wall of the garden is now being re-constructed. The SLESA has also planned to replace the old dormitory with a new one including 10 rooms, a recreation room, a lounge and hot water facility.
The Katana Veterans Home authority requests the general public to visit this home and share some time with its residents who enjoy the company of visitors. In addition, the veteran's home is willing to rent out its 'Sir John Kotalawala Memorial Hall', which can accommodate around 100 people, and lunch could be provided for upto 50 people.
Prior arrangements for visits and bookings of the memorial hall could be made with the Resident Manager by contacting him on telephone number 031-2269364.
Pix by Nisal Baduge
Published by HT Syndication with permission from Daily Mirror Sri Lanka.
For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
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