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Pasindu’s family overjoyed to have him back home
It was a day of celebration and thanksgiving for Pasindu's loved ones
Pasindu Hirushan Silva, the 21-year-old Jayewardenepura University student who was seriously injured on March 6 in an alleged ragging incident, is home after weeks of treatment. But he has no recollection of campus life or the incident that had left him in hospital.
On Thursday, Pasindu left hospital after a medical battle lasting 98 days at the National Hospital–much of it intensive care. His schoolmates and relatives gave him a beautiful welcome. There was a cake. It was a celebration of thanksgiving where his loved ones came together in prayer, jubilant to have him back. He smiled throughout.
But a fuller recovery is an uphill battle for this bright boy. “He isn’t completely okay yet,” Shermila Silva, his sister, said. The brain surgery he underwent has taken a heavy toll. He cannot balance and requires assistance to walk. The anomaly has made writing difficult as motor functions in his hand were seriously impaired.
Pasindu will undergo stringent physiotherapy sessions to regain his motor functions, Shermila said. And despite being discharged from hospital, he will have regular clinic visits to ensure that there is no reversal in his recovery.
The injury has also left him with slurred speech and he has difficulty communicating. For this, he is undergoing speech therapy.
“He can’t match his words yet,” Shermila said. This, along with amnesia, has made it impossible to immediately return to studies. He has trouble remembering what he has learnt or studied. The extended hospital stay caused significant weight loss and Pasindu must take precautions as his immunity is weak. As part of these arrangements, a special room has been arranged at home with facilities to cater to the specific needs Pasindu has.
“The first goal of his doctors was to save his life,” his sister related. “After that, the concern was about the extent of damage to his brain. Overcoming the risk of paralysis was a particular challenge. But the most worrying part of his treatment by far was his brain surgery. That was when we were most scared.”
While Pasindu’s feeding tube was removed the day before his left hospital, he still has a shunt attached to his abdomen for nourishment.
“Pasindu excelled in theatre and sports, not just academic activity,” Shermila said. “So, seeing him like this is very difficult for us.” His homecoming, however, was a huge cause for celebration after a nerve-wracking few months spent worrying about the possibility of paralysis.
“At least he is walking and talking and there’s hope now,” she said.
The University has provided the family with financial assistance to meet Pasindu’s medical expenses. Meanwhile, authorities are still gathering information for an internal investigation, said University Grants Commission Chairman Sampath Amaratunge. The UGC calls for maximum punishment to the perpetrators, he said, adding that initial arrests had been made. He had no further details.
The Court has requested witnesses to confirm that the incident had occurred as a result of ragging, Crime OIC of the Mirihana police said. However, with the pandemic occurring soon after, inquiries were stalled as universities had shut down. Out of the six persons arrested, five were released on bail. The suspect who is still incarcerated will be tried for attempted murder and his trial date is set for Monday.
The suspect has taken responsibility for the tyre being thrown at Pasindu, said Sudantha Liyanage, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Investigations were constrained to phone conversations during the curfew but a committee appointed to probe the incident will recommence inquiries next week.
Since the incident happened at an unauthorized party, the committee will also try to find the organizers. Those students released on bail are suspended till further notice. The university has paid Rs 350,000 so far for Pasindu’s treatments. The Alumni Association also pitched in with Rs 50,000.
Pasindu was gifted a special bed for his room at home by Ravi Liyanage, an alum. The university will finance all his transport requirements, Prof Sudantha continued. He also said the party at which the injury occurred was reportedly held to herald the end of ragging. Therefore, further investigation is necessary.
A formal complaint was lodged at the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lankan, Shavindra Fernando, PC, who led Pasindu’s legal team, said. A case was being heard before the Gangodawila Magistrate and its progress will depend on recent developments.
A member of his medical team stated that Pasindu had made a reasonably speedy recovery given the severity of his injuries. His brain surgery removed a clot in the brain. The surgical team made “a lot of interventions”. Doctors were still concerned about him regaining his balance but are optimistic he will recover with consistent physiotherapy.
“We are extremely grateful to Pasindu’s doctors and the hospital staff who didn’t give up on him and took care of him with so much love,” Shermila said. “They maintained his psychological health while taking care of him and that was such strength to the whole family.”
Pasindu’s siblings are currently taking care of him. His brother, who is a public sector employee at the Ministry of Education, has applied for leave so he can stay at home to look after him.
“Pasindu still has a long way to go,” Shermila admitted. “But we are extremely hopeful and thankful. Even the doctors agreed that his recovery has been nothing short of a miracle.”