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Ceylonese World War II veterans will not ‘just fade away’
“Old soldiers never die; they just fade away,” is the famous adage. While this may be true, the services rendered by old soldiers are often forgotten and they get neglected by society-at-large.
One set of such soldiers numbering over 500 are Sri Lankans (Ceylonese then) who served alongside British troops during World War (WW) II, and are now largely forgotten by many, but not by their brethren who have come together to look into their welfare.
“Sharing and caring”: L to r: A.I. Jayawardena, H.G.P. Jayasekera and Jayantha Silva Pic by Chaturi Dissanayake
H.G.P. Jayasekera, 94, who served as a signalman during WW II in several parts of the island, has been tirelessly engaged in trying to draw attention to the plight of WW II veterans. He heads the Ceylon War Veterans Association of WW II, which is affiliated to the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League.
“There are a little over 500 WW II veterans around, mostly in their late 80s and 90s. Many live with their children and grandchildren, while there are others in need of medical care and other facilities,” Mr Jayasekera said.
The veterans now receive a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000, half of which is paid from the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association fund. “As most Ceylonese served only during the war years, from 1939-1945, they are not entitled to a pension, except those who later joined the government service and continued to pensionable age,” Mr Jayasekera said.
The Ex-Servicemen’s Association recently initiated a programme, “Sharing and Caring”, under which a five-member committee comprising former military personnel have undertaken to visit homes of several WW II veterans and look into their welfare.
“We received UK pounds 5,000 from Seafarers UK- a charity, and we are using this money for the welfare of the WW II veterans. We are visiting their homes and providing them with medical assistance including wheelchairs, crutches and other necessities,” said Navy Captain A.I. Jayawardena who heads the Committee.
Patrick Jayasinghe
“Committee members have visited several homes and found that most are in the care of their children. “We are compiling a report based on our visits, and the money well utilised for the welfare of the veterans. It is likely more charities will come forward to assist us,” Captain Jayewardene said.
Association President Captain Patrick Jayasinghe said that seeing to the welfare of WW II veterans is important, and hence, the “Caring and Sharing” programme has been initiated to ensure that these veterans live out the rest of their lives in comfort.
“Our Association’s membership now exceeds 40,000, and our largest income is from Poppy sales, which proceeds is utilised for the welfare of our members,” Capitan Jayasinghe said.