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The waiting is not over
By Shelani Perera
The waiting was almost over for the families of the seven prisoners in LTTE custody. They had been officially informed that the security personnel would be released yesterday. But hours before the release, technical snags reportedly arose and the families were told that the exchange of prisoners would not take place as scheduled.

Boyagoda during a family reunion while in LTTE custody

Anticipating the release the families had been overjoyed and were preparing to welcome their loved ones. Although word went round by last week that negotiations were taking place for the release, the family members refused to accept until they were officially informed. By Thursday morning the families were informed by Army and Navy officers. And then began the reunion preparations by the families.

When The Sunday Times visited Commander Boyagoda's home on Thursday the family was getting ready to leave for Anuradhapura the next day, so that they could be in Vavuniya early Saturday morning. Captain Boyagoda, the seniormost officer in LTTE custody for eight years, was given a chance for the first time since his capture to see his three sons a few months ago.

Chandrani Boyagoda was all smiles on Thursday when she said, " I don't have to cry anymore. I did cry this morning but they were tears of joy when I was informed of their release. I have been answering so many calls "

The very first thing planned by Ms. Boyagoda once her husband was released was to visit the temple before they came home.

" Throughout the week we were waiting to get the news, I did not want to keep any hopes because earlier we got information that they were to be released on August 16, and it did not happen. But I was confident they would be released before the peace talks," Ms. Boyagoda said.

It was a big party of relatives, friends and even the batch mates of Commander Boyagoda who were planning to be in Vauvniya yesterday. The batchmates had planned a big reunion bash on September 13.

"It is the annual batch party they organise. For eight years I attended it with the kids but this year they planned it and were expecting my husband to be there. His colleagues and their families were also going to be there at the time of his release," she said.

A list bearing the names of the 17 prisoners who had been in LTTE custody is carefully kept by Mrs. Boyagoda and she ticks off the names once they are released.

"I have come to the last seven names, and I know they will all be released together. This was a request made by them. That's why I did not believe when people told me that they had got news that only a few would be released last week," she said.

It was a double tragedy for the family of twenty nine year old Priyankara de Silva who were awaiting his release yesterday. Priyankara's youngest sister who was disabled passed away a few days ago. The funeral was over by Friday so that Priyankara's father could go to Vauvniya to bring his son home.

" We were informed by the army that an officer would be sent on Friday to take me to the Army camp to leave for Vauvniya. I was not told a time but I was ready from morning. But around 11.30 an officer came and said that the visit had been postponed" said M D R de Silva unable to control his tears.

Even Priyankara's family did not want to believe any unofficial news which was circulating of a possible release early last week.

"When it was announced on State media I started believing a little. Even when we visited my son last time we were informed by the LTTE that they were willing to release the prisoners, so I was confident of it. When we were informed officially I had no doubt that the release would take place," Mr. de Silva said.

Although the family had lost a member, Priyankara's mother was planning to prepare her son's favourite dishes for his homecoming.

"We were waiting for this for so long. I only want to hold my son in my arms," said Priyankara's mother, Mary Nona.

It was the same sentiments expressed by the families of the PoWs where some had sleepless nights anticipating the homecoming of their loved ones.

On the other hand, Navindra Jayalath's mother who did not believe that the release would take place had packed a box full of food items so that she would be able to give it to her son.

So when the journey to Vavuniya was cancelled, she was sorry that she could not feed her son.

From the time the family was informed of the release, Navindra's mother Margaret, a single parent, was busy preparing her sons favorite dishes. Just like the other families, Margaret too was informed to come to the Panagoda Army camp early Friday morning. Margaret and her brother G. H. Sumanadasa were scheduled to leave for Vauvniya.

" I got a call around 1.30 am on Friday and was informed that the trip had been postponed. I could not believe it because all the arrangements had been finalised. It was difficult to break the news to my sister who had suffered so much since Navindra's capture," Sumanadasa said.

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