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They are not alone
The Police Seva Vanitha Unit strives to help soldiers injured in the war
By Dhananjani Silva
While the CFA and the Geneva peace talks are in the news, at the Police Hospital in Narahenpita we get a glimpse of the trauma of the fallen heroes — unable to walk, talk and even eat, some of them lie on their beds motionless. Hands and legs amputated, all that these soldiers possess after years of duty are the pain and suffering and even bitter memories of the war front.
The Police Seva Vanitha Unit assists soldiers financially to meet their various costs such as medication, surgery for major illnesses and also to care for those who are injured, says its President Mrs. Nandani Fernando, wife of IGP Chandra Fernando.

“Our main objective is to look after their housing and health needs. Sometimes when the Police Hospital does not have the necessary requirements and facilities, the patient is sent to a private hospital and this requires a lot of money. Therefore we thought of having a fund to give a helping hand to the injured soldiers,” explained Mrs. Fernando (see box).

“We give each injured soldier Rs. 25,000 for surgery and another Rs.10, 000 for medication. In addition we provide wheelchairs, artificial limbs, crutches, clothes, soap, nourishing food etc.,” she said adding that right now there are about six patients at the Police Hospital whom the PSVU is taking care of.
R. M. M. P. Ratnayake, 36, has served the army for 17 years. He was injured in an LTTE attack on January 31, this year while on duty in Muttur.

“It happened at around 5 a.m. when I went to the kitchen to make food for our crew. On hearing a strange voice I went outside to see who it was when some LTTErs shot at me. My leg was hurt and the pain is still there,” he said. Hailing from Kandy, Ratnayake is the father of an 11-year old son and a 3-year-old daughter.

M.A.K Wickremasinghe became a victim of an LTTE attack while on duty at the EPDP office in Peduruthuduwa on November 18, last year. Lying on his hospital bed he says that his intestines were ‘cut off and stitched’ from three places due to the injuries caused by the attack.

The PSVU is also looking into the housing needs of the war victims in paying back the instalments on the loans obtained from The Ministry of Defence, says Mrs Fernando. “The war victims are entitled to interest-free loans which have to be paid back within a period of 10 years. But there are instances when they default and then the PSVU intervenes,” she said.

Initiated in 1985, PSVU consists of few members whose support, the president said, is ‘enormous’. The PSVU functions mainly from members’ contributions, fund-raisers, and donations by the public. Different fund-raising activities are carried out by the association from time to time and the forthcoming coffee morning is one such effort by the Association. Proceeds will go mainly to the Police Hospital patients.

According to Mrs. Fernando, in addition to the two main projects focussed on war victims, the PSVU is also taking care of a ward in Mulleriyawwa Hospital.
“There are nearly about 100 inmates in that ward and we look into their needs such as providing them with clothes, soap and other necessities. We try to make them feel that they are not alone,” Mrs. Fernando said.

They are fond of ice cream and colourful clothes, she added. “Those who wish to help can send a cheque in favour of the PSVU or contact OIC, Dharmasena on 2588877," she added.

Coffee morning on March 4
The Police Seva Vanitha Unit will hold a Coffee Morning next month to raise funds to improve the conditions of the Police Hospital Narahenpita. The Coffee Morning titled “Lean on Me” to be held on March 4 at the Holiday Inn will feature innovative designs by Chula Nanayakkara Ariyaratna as well as clothing, jewellery and perfume at bargain prices. There will also be food stalls and lots of entertainment.

Tickets for “Lean on Me” are available at the Police Welfare Office at No 7, Joseph Frazer Road, Colombo 05.

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