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Widows of two ‘hero’ brothers tell their stories
View(s):Eranga Wikumsiri and Nadeesha Wikumsiri were two brothers who were buried under the landslide trying to rescue others. Eranga worked as an Economic Development officer in the Elangapitiya division attached to the Aranayaka Divisional Secretariat.
Nadeesha and wife Hashini
Yashmi will never know her father
According to M. Wickaramapala (61), the father of the two, Eranga had been asked by the Divisional Secretariat office to inspect an area that had filled up with water and the road had sunk. Eranga with his younger brother Nadeesha had gone to the area in Siripura in a three wheeler, but they never returned.
Eranga’s wife P. Disna Chathumali Pathirana now lives with their child Nethsara Adithya at her mother’s house while steps are being taken by the Divisional Secretariat office staff to build a new house for them.
She said her son although one year and two months old appears to remember his father and asks many questions about him.
“I only received a Rs 100,000 compensation, insurance money and my husband’s monthly pension of Rs 15,000,” she lamented.
Nadeesha’s wife Hashini Chathurika was seven months pregnant when the tragedy occurred. Now she is the mother of 10-month-old Yashmi Ahinsa Gauthami who never saw her father.
She said Nadeesha was planning to start a new job at the Ceylon Electricity Board office the following day (May 18). “I did not see the body of my husband and we didn’t even get a certificate of absence. My husband wanted to see our child to become a teacher one day. I am determined to make his dream a reality,” she said.
Aranayaka Divisional Secretary Z.A.M. Faizal said Eranga was a dedicated worker.
“I remember when I phoned him up to ask about the landslide he told me, “Sir I want to rescue at least two people and he switched off his mobile. That is the last I heard from him. He is a rare government officer who sacrificed his life,” he said.
Eranga and wife DisnaTheir son Nethsara