A shocking business

If you ask the Hemmatagama police about the manner of the death of Kiribindu, a 45-year-old servant in the same house, they will tell you that the matter is all cleared up, that the Coroner has come and gone and that the poor woman had been the victim of an electrical leak near a roadside junction box.

Curious neighbours-and in these parts all neighbours are curious-have other stories to tell. They swear they saw Kiribindu being carried to the road and dumped near the junction box. What happened was that Kiribindu, who for 15 years, had worked as a servant in the house where the electrical-minded Emanis also works, rose one night and went to the compound, quite forgetting that the premises were encircled by a live wire. It was a wet night too, that January 5, when she died.

Lots of unsavoury things have happened since. Kiribindu, her family claim, had received barely any wages for 15 years. The family was informed of the death only very late the following day and by the time they arrived, an inquest had already been held. The householder undertook, before the police, to pay for all funeral expenses but this was not done. Family members who called for Kiribindu's personal effects were driven away. They had to seek the intervention of the Kegalle police to take away the dead woman's belongings. They demanded that the householder pay the dead woman's salary for 15 years and also compensation because they knew that it was a live wire placed around the house that killed Kiribindu. Naturally this was denied. They have asked for an inquiry, but the Hemmatagama police do not seem to be interested. What further inquiry is necessary?, they ask. Strangely enough, members of the dead woman's family are now receiving threats - promises, actually, that if they pursue matters they will be taught a lesson!

Emanis will tell you that the wire was strung around the house because the householder wished to keep away the wild boars that come out of the bush. Kiribindu knew of this and had even written to her mother asking her not to visit late evenings because of the live wire. But she herself forgot it was there on the night she went out.... on the night she died.

In Aludeniya, everything's fine. On the surface, that is. But the people are still talking. They say they are shocked at the way a poor woman had to die and at the way, the manner of her death was covered up. A shocking business, they say.... and it was poor Kiribindu who got the biggest shock of all!

Computer savvy for kids

"We are targeting an age group from 4 to 14 plus," Palipane said. "Catch them young and they become computer smart by the age of eight. The learning curve from 4 up is very strong. Even music teachers will tell you the same thing."

Gateway follows the British IT curriculum and student progress is assessed by ICAA with certification from EDEXCEL of the University of London. Certificates at the passing of various grades will also be awarded by the University of London. 

A Students' Strike Force

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