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A family’s courage to protect neighbours in the face of violence
View(s):Caring, concerned people step in to safeguard their neighbours and their property when the government fails to ensure public safety in many crises in Sri Lanka.
Sujeewani Chandima
Such acts of selflessness were once again evident recently in the face of violence in the North Western Province.
R P Sujeewani Chandima, 43, saved the lives of 14 neighbours who were living in three houses when enraged thugs began vandalising homes, businesses and places of worship at will in Thunmodara, Malalkale area near Nattandiya on May 13.
Sujeewani Chandima told the Sunday Times that she saw the attackers as she was returning from Kottaramulla town.
“There were mobs armed with metal bars, sticks and stones attacking houses and businesses. I was scared and worried, and thought about our neighbours.”
She returned home and told her neighbours to take their valuables and flee to safety, while her husband and sons went to protect their homes.
“Some hid, others stayed. However, I was able to give refuge to 14 neighbours in my house and told the violent groups to not damage the three houses. My husband and two sons had to make a great effort to save the houses,’’ she said.
Meanwhile, a resident who was in the midst of it all, A K Haleema Bibi, 64, said that Chandima rushed in and asked her family to come to her home. About 500 individuals were attacking houses in the village, she recalled.
“It was around 6pm, we had not finished our fasting, but we went to our neighbour’s house to save ourselves. The violent mob had attacked many houses. We thought that our houses would have been set on fire, but we are relieved that at least our lives were saved,” Ms Haleema said.
She said their houses were untouched.
“We consider Chandima, her two sons and husband as gods who helped us in our time of need. If they didn’t help us, we would not have anything left,’’ she said.
Text and Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe