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‘Free our husbands’
Spouses meet to discuss their hardships and official apathy over the fate of their seafaring husbands held by Somali pirates for more than 2 years
A group of women met at a location in Colombo this week to exchange views and seek support from one another as their husbands remained hostages of Somali pirates. The place was the trade union office of the National Union of Seafarers Sri Lanka (NUSS) on Lauries Road in Bambalapitiya and on hand to meet the women were counsellors and others involved in the shipping industry.
Vilsanee Wakwella
After some refreshments were served it was time to listen to what they had to say and theirs was a common plea—seeking a way to get their men who have been held hostage for the past 31 months along with their vessel the MV Albedo, back home.
“The pirates are demanding millions of dollars from the vessel’s owner in return for the release of the men and the ship. The vessel owner based in Malaysia has apparently given up the idea of getting them and the ship released, therefore there is very little that can be done,” NUSS President Palitha Athukorale told the Sunday Times.
He added that the Government too was not in a position to respond since it has international obligations regarding dealing with outlaws and terrorist organizations.
Vilsanee Wakwella (43 years old) is the wife of the Chief Engineer Nalindra on board the MV Albedo and she has gradually adjusted to a life without him. “It is so difficult, but life must go on. We have a seven-year old daughter and she should not be allowed to share the grief that I am forced to undergo each day,” she said.
“The only consolation is that a lone pirate apparently sympathetic towards the men lends his mobile phone enabling them to contact the families. “The last call I received from my husband was during the first week of this month. He said their food rations had been reduced to one meal a day and that too plain rice and a vegetable.
K. S. Shamitha
“My husband’s father passed away in August last year but I have not informed him about this death for obvious reasons. I have a brother living in UK and he is the only source of financial help,” Mrs. Wakwella added. Her feelings were echoed by 36-year-old K. S. Shamitha, a mother of three sons aged seven, nine, and 12. Her Husband Niroshan Perera is the welder on the MV Albedo.
“Last Sunday we got call from him and he wanted to know about the children and what was being prepared for lunch. I said we were having chicken, vegetables and rice and we all broke down when he said that their ration was plain rice mixed with salt. She said the area Church, relatives, neighbours and friends have been helping with handouts for the past 31 months but there has been little official assistance despite the many pleas.
Shirani Perera is the wife of the third engineer- G. C. Perera, who at the age of 60 is the oldest man on board the MV Albedo.
“My husband has been sailing for the past 30 years and this was to be his last trip before retirement. My main concern is his health as he is a diabetic and suffers from other complications as well,” Ms. Perera said.
Call to revive national shipping line
The Government was yesterday urged to encourage more Sri Lankans to own ships in a bid to revive the national line that has dropped to zero from a fleet of 16 vessels in 1980. The move would also provide more opportunities for local seamen. Captain Nalin Peiris with the National Union of Seafarers Sri Lanka (NUSS) said the authorities must look into ways of offering some concessions such as bank loans, etc to those intending to move into the shipping industry.
 NUSS President Palitha Athukorale |
 Nalin Peiris. Pix by Ranjith Perera |
He added presently there were an estimated 50,000 registered Sri Lankan seamen in the country but only around 10,000 were active owing to the lack of job opportunities.
“The seafarer takes on a professional and dangerous assignment but his/her contribution is not recognised at any level. For example a seafarer remits at an average of something like US$ 1300 each month which adds up in the GDP,” Mr. Peiris said.
He explained that the present administration was keen on opening up more sea ports for international trade and therefore should encourage more individuals and firms to invest in ships.
Meanwhile, a local seafarer at retirement has no financial reserves to fall back on unlike other workers who have ETF and EPF, NUSS President Palitha Athukorale said.
He said the NUSS with the assistance of shipping firms have started welfare schemes and seamen who register are eligible to a cash hand out at retirement. “This is the least we can do to help these men,” he added.
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