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He’s a wreck of war but she loves him
View(s):Girl meets boy – the boy is a dashing soldier with the aura of having narrowly escaped death in a Tiger attack, and he meets the girl one day in 1996 on his way home on leave. The romance blossoms with the blessing of both their families. Fast-forward 15 years – the boy is now a blinded, dreadfully maimed man but his girl has against all expectations, including his, held fast to their love. Her courage and resilience would amaze any frontline soldier.
Priyani attends to her husband’s daily needs. Pix by Athula Bandara
Ravindra Rupasinghe was blinded and had both arms and a leg blown off in a mine explosion during an army operation in Parayanakulam, Mannar in 1998. There was nothing here of the glamour attached to having emerged unscathed from an LTTE attack in Thanthrimale two years earlier; Ravindra was now a living wreck.
Priyani, moved by the soldier’s plight after seeing him at the National Hospital, decided to leave home and stay at his village, taking care of his parents. Eight months later, when Ravindra left hospital and returned home, he pleaded with her to leave him. She should not remain with a person who had suffered serious injuries, he argued; she should move on.
Priyani refused to leave; even if he didn’t marry her she would stay and take care of him. They married, and are now blessed with three children. The family’s life in Horowpothana, Anuradhapura, is very hard, and Priyani bears the entire burden of care, not just for her husband and children but also for her bed-ridden mother-in-law after Ravindra lost another brother in the army and also his father.
Priyani explains the everyday difficulties they face.
“My husband can only brush his teeth by holding the brush in the stumps of his arms,” she said. “And since our toilet is located outside the house, he finds it difficult to use the toilet. Initially he had a wheelchair which had a commode but that’s broken now.”
The couple decided to build their own home with the savings from Ravindra’s salary, but have not been able to complete the house.
“We use part of my husband’s salary to pay back the loan we obtained to construct part of the house. We find it very difficult to manage,” said Priyani.
“It was Lali Kobbekaduwa, wife of late General Denzil Kobbekaduwa, who presented us with a three-wheeler which is used for the family to get about.” Ravindra feels the family is in a desperate situation. “I tried to meet the President when he was visiting the Horowpothana area but local politicians did not permit that,” he said. One thing is clear: “I have been blessed with not just a wife but a goddess”, said Ravindra.
 Ravindra: “I have been blessed with not just a wife but a goddess” |
 The children: Studying for a brighter future |
 On the road: Priyani in the three wheeler gifted to them by Mrs. Kobbekaduwa |
 Priyani takes care of her bed ridden mother-in-law too |
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