Sunday Times 2
Of celluloid valour and real life heroes
View(s):Back in December 1999, a 14-year-old Thomian made his way home after school.
As there was a strike and trains were scarce, he decided to walk home. He managed to get a train at Ratmalana and headed for Moratuwa.
As the train moved out slowly, he noticed a one legged beggar hanging on the door trying desperately to get into the train. He was moments from falling off, when the stout-hearted, well-built, selfless youngster decided to put his own life on the line in a brave bid to help the unfortunate man. Placing his own leg on the platform, he successfully managed to pull the beggar into the moving train. In doing so, he tragically fell in.
When realisation dawned, he was on his way to hospital. The end result was that young Dan Wijeyasekere had to have both his mangled legs amputated. What a cruel twist of fate for the young man, who reached out to a one legged beggar and ended up being crippled himself.
Thomians are a gutsy breed indeed. Yet the much vaunted Thomian grit was put to the maximum test, as young Dan struggled heroically first to survive, and then to live.
The young man, now 39, refuses to curl up and die, despite the severe blows life has dealt him. He is married and is a father. Unbelievably he scuba dives and is able to drive a modified vehicle.
Very much a down to earth person, Dan is passionately fond of agriculture. He supplements his regular income by growing herbs.
‘Herb Garden’ is a project he wants to nurture and see it become a popular enterprise. He also has ambitions of starting up an online store.
Life has not stopped being cruel to him. In business, he is being hounded for finances he does not have. The family finds daily survival an uphill climb.
He is not begging, he is asking is for a small share of your cake to get by without burdening anyone unduly.
This is the plea of a real life hero; a large hearted young man who sacrificed his own manhood in the bloom of youth to help a man marginalised by society.
Dan can be contacted on 0773336933 or 0726580180.
- Viraj Senewiratne.