Tragedy does not mean it’s the end of the world. For some it’s only a door at hand closing and another of opportunity opening up.
On that fateful boxing day of 1994, when those waves of destiny shot over the age old coconut trees which previously only had their idle chats with the skies above whispered “From now on it’s up to you to see how you take it from here” as it rolled deep into the land at Seenigama.
With waves rolling unforgivingly like something out from the good old book of fate --some perished, some thought they lost every thing, but people in the calibre of Kushil Gunasekera took this up as a challenge and thought “here is my chance to serve the people and show ‘em the way”.
Dhanushka Kumara with South African fielding legend Jonty Rhodes |
He was there at his ancestral home which he has transformed into the Foundation of Goodness when the sea came in. He took the flock of children and ran to safety in the temple nearby, and then looking at the sheer human tragedy what he witnessed into his heart made one resolution… ‘From here, comes only the thing called opportunity – a thing that we all could share”.
Now six years later the whole concept has turned into reality. The foundation has a sports complex with host of facilities. It has a Netball court, a fully fledged swimming facility built by that Canadian singing sensation Bryn Adams, an almost fully equipped Gymnasium and most of all a lush green cricket ground built for them by the Surrey Cricket Club of England.
My first thought was “How on earth did they manage to do this here – the other end of nowhere”. But, how wrong I was.
We were there at the Village for one reason – to met a set of young lads – some who even have not set foot in Colombo as yet, going over to Malaysia and winning an open tournament once and ending-up as the runners-up the next time.
But once we set foot there, it was a huge story of success which had come through the good of the foundation, but what intrigued me the most was the glitter of hope in the eyes of those young kids. Their eyes were full of courage and resolute’.We can now take some incidents at random.
The Under 15 team taking wing to Malaysia |
P. Pulina Tharanga lost both his parents with the waves of the Tsunami, but he had the guidance of the Foundation and his alma-mater being a leg spinning allrounder and he was a student of Devananda MV –Ambalangoda. Besides he was a member of SL schools U-15 team to the Malaysia tour in 2008, a member of U-19 southern provincial squad 2009, scored 3 centuries in the SLC U- 23 tournament 2009, member u17 Galle district squad 2010member Sri Lanka u17 spin squad. But, ironically he gave more prominence to his cricket and failed the O’ Level examination and now he finds permanent refuge at the Foundation for his training.
We watched Pulina pegging on with his leg spinners on one of the side wickets provided by the foundation for that purpose.
Even the kids that had Come to Colombo had done the trip to Malaysia came from the schools around the area, but the facilities at the foundation have enhanced their cutting edge. The squad read as - Adeesha Tilanchana - captain -- Dharmasoka College-Ambalangoda, Chamindu Kalana - vice captain -- Madampagama MV-Madampe, Udesh Priyanga -- Madampagama MV-Madampe, Pasindu Isira -- Madampagama MV- Madampe, Indunil Buddhika -- Sri Wimala Buddhi MV – Seenigama, Dhanushka Kumara -- Sri Wimala Buddhi MV- Seenigama, Charith Sudaraka -- Devananda MV- Ambalangoda, Yoshan de Silva -- Devananda MV –Ambalangoda, Imesh Udayanga -- Devananda MV –Ambalangoda, Chilan Anjana Elpitiya Ananda V-Elpitiya, Ramesh Mendis -- Dharmasoka College-Ambalangoda Ramindi Nikeshala -- Devapathiraja MV- Ratgama, Sajana Sathsara -- Dharmasoka MV –Ambalangoda, Hasindu Vidharshana -- Dharmasoka MV –Ambalangoda. Yes, they come from all parts of the South.
Besides the above Dhanushka Kumara - was selected “junior Jonty " for his brilliant fielding in the fielding competition arranged by the South African fielding legend Jonty Rhodes
On the adjoining court there was team of young girls hard at Netball Practice. There I was introduced to the Foundation of Goodness Netball Captain - Neranja Madushani who hails from Prajapathi Balika MV –Ambalangoda.
Even Madushani’s eyes said a long story. She looked the type that perseveres to reach the required standard that brings recognition. It did not come as a surprise when they said that she was a member of the Sri Lanka u18 team that toured Malaysia in July/August 2010 and she had just come back to join her village lasses back on the home court.
This itself would spur her friends to join her and see the world outside.
While walking back to the ground office Kushil pointed out some kids at the pool and said “Three years ago these kids were swimming wild, but, since the facility was built they have taken the maximum advantage of it and now are beginning to rake in the results back home.
Just go through the list of achievements they have brought in such a short period. – . K. G. G. Dilanjali of Kularatne MV –Ambalangoda ended up as the winner of the 6 mile Kinross sea swim from Wellawatte to Mt Lavinia and back in 2009 and in 2010. This culminated in her being selected by the national swimming federation to an all expenses paid one month coaching programme in China.
The others achievers read as -- A.K. Amila of Sri Sumangala MV -Hikkaduwa
Winner of U19 -- 50 meter free style - at novices championship 2008 at the Sugathadasa Stadium Pool. D. Lakruwan of Sri Wimala Buddhi MV –Seenigama winner of the U19 50 metre free style at the novices championship 2009 at the Sugathadasa Stadium Pool.
Winner U19 200 Meter medley at top six all island championship 2010at the Ananda College Pool.
Then came Tharushi Lakshani of Kularatne MV –Ambalangoda who won the U16 100 Metre free style at the top six all island championship 2010 at the Ananda College Pool.
All these kids faced the trauma of the Tsunami in one way or the other – they all come from the Southern Coastal belt of Sri Lanka.
However they have proved something unique they have proved to the rest of the world that tragedy need not end in tragedy…. It may be a another door opening for opportunity and that door was opened for them by people like Kushil Gunasekera who took the tragedy as a challenge and a chance to spread goodness. |
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