We've not forgotten you

By Shelani de Silva.

When injured sol diers were rushed from the Kilinochchi battlefront to the Kalubowila Hospital last week, female patients readily gave up their beds to make room for the sudden influx when they were brought in tattered and blood stained.

A Corporal attached to the Kilinochchi camp told The Sunday Times that the patients not only gave their beds but also provided them with linen and towels.

"We were so touched, some even kept talking and consoling us till late in the night. Even the general public has shown much concern," he said.

The sounds of ambulance sirens ringing through the streets from Ratmalana airport to the Colombo hospitals were a grim reminder to people of the horrors of war. For those who had loved ones at the front, the sounds were ominously frightening. Among the rest of the populace it generated an overwhelming surge to do something for the wounded.

From University students to school children, housewives, and private organisations, they all came forward to give their assistance. Their concern was a source of encouragement also to the many other organisations who are committed to the welfare of the soldiers, not only in times of crisis but throughout the long years of conflict.

The Seva Vanitha Units of the Sri Lanka Army, Navy, Air Force and the Police have made it their duty to look after all those wounded in hospitals, and their families.

Of the three Forces it is the Army that have suffered the most number of casualties in the Kilinochchi battle. The Army Seva Vanitha units play a supportive role in the lives of the injured soldiers not only after a major attack but also when they are sent back from the battlefield.

Last week members of the Army Seva Vanitha unit on hearing the hundreds of casualties warded at the Colombo National Hospital, Kalubowila, Ragama and Sri Jayawardenepura hospital rushed to be with the soldiers.

President of the Army Seva Vanitha Ms. Jayanthi Daluwatte said that they had donated Rs. 100,000 worth of gift packs to the soldiers wounded in the Kilinochchi attack warded in all hospitals.

"We visited all the soldiers and inquired what they needed. Most of them requested that we inform their families and asked that we look into their family needs. The worst is that in many families they are the bread- winners and the agony of knowing that they will not be able to provide for the family is itself killing them.

"But we assured them that we would look into their families, but also include them into our housing projects, she said.

The Army Seva Vanitha is comprised of the wives of Army personnel .While most of their husbands are fighting the war, the ladies too try to contribute in whatever way they can.

Lack of funds is the most pressing problem for the unit. Generally it is through donations from well-wishers and functions organised by the Seva Vanitha that the money is generated.

"We have a hospital committee who visit all the injured soldiers once a week. We provide them with whatever they want. Usually their needs are basic. Some request us to get in touch with their families or to write letters," explained Ms Daluwatte.Speaking on the public concern especially in the recent operation she said that more and more people have come to identify and care for the soldiers.

"This was evident when we visited the soldiers. There were many school children coming to talk to them. They were not there to sympathise with them but to share their experiences and to spend some time. It was very heartening. I personally feel that the young should come and spend time. There was a difference in the way the soldiers reacted when talking to the elderly and the young," she said.

Ms. Daluwatte said that while the Army welfare unit was looking after the medical needs of the soldiers, it is the public who can help by spending time with them. "Especially the young, because the soldiers like to relate their experiences and to answer their questions."

While the Seva Vanitha goes about their mission in looking after and providing for the injured soldiers, the Army Welfare Service plays a larger role. Director Welfare, Brigadier S. I. S. Dassanayake there is top priority for their needs.

Apart from providing the soldiers with the pyjamas and linen, they also give them the toiletries and food stuffs.We also give them their meals and anything they need. Roughly we spend about 300 rupees per soldier but of course this will vary. Personally I feel that all our soldiers are looked after well," he said.

When asked about public support he said that they do not depend or request the public to donate in kind.

"This does not mean that we refuse people, but at times unsuitable food items being gifted, for instance, become a problem, because most of them are on a nutritious diet which is prescribed by the doctors," explained the Brigadier.

Meanwhile President of the Seva Vanitha movement of the three forces, police and the Ministry of Defence Ms. Ramani Ratwatte said that last week she together with the wives of the forces chiefs visited all the soldiers and provided them with whatever they needed.

"We spoke to them and encouraged them as I personally think that is what they need. We kept telling them that we have not forgotten them. Since most of the soldiers come from distant places their family members have not visited them but yet they were cheerful," she said.

However Ms Ratwatte was not too keen on too many people coming in to see and talk to the soldiers.

"I personally feel that soldiers need peace. So when groups of people come in the soldiers never tell that they are tired but make it a point to speak to them, but on the other hand there are those whose families have not visited them and they wait for people to come and speak to them, so it is a case of identifying the two," she said.

As for donating foodstuff and other material Ms Ratwatte said that they would prefer if the public send their contributions to them so that they could utilise the money for their main project which is to provide houses for the disabled soldiers.

Several other organisations carried out blood donation campaigns in the wake of last week's attacks. The Sri Vajira Home for the Orphans with the support of the Sudu Nelum Movement also commenced a service to provide shelter for the hundreds of families who had come to see their loved ones. The All -Ceylon Buddhist Congress and the National Movement Against Terrorism too provides the same service.

Those who wish to visit the injured soldiers, particularly at the Army Hospital the procedure is that the Head of the Army Medical Services has to be contacted for permission.

As another step towards the welfare of the soldiers Ex Air Force Chief Harry Gunethilake is planning to set up a counselling centre for the War Widows. This programme which will be co-ordinated by the Psychiatrist's Association will come into effect at the end of the year. Similar programmes and public support are needed not only during a major battle but at all times.

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