Between birth and death,
Is life for everyone indeed an ordeal
For the poor unfortunate, having a
Sword of Damocles, hanging over them.
It’s true of the residents, in the foot
Of the trash dump of Meethotamulla!
So mystified were the victims as to
What happened to them, amidst the celebration -
Sinhala and Tamil New Year, on 14th April 2017,
While the whole city was in a jubilant mood,
The victims simply became captive, leaving some
So active, risking life and limb to rescue,
Within seconds, with the untimely death toll, rising to 32.
What about those missing and affected?
How could an extent of two acres that was
Demarcated initially become twenty-two?
A marshy land is this site, containing peat
Eight meters deep, beneath the garbage dump,
Becoming a messy situation, even a layman is enough,
Not an expert, to assess the tragedy of myopic outlook!
Health is wealth, so keeping the nation clean
And tidy being an essential part of development
Meethotamulla is not the only spot, but there are many
In the major cities, to share the same as sliding
Or exploding, that need the utmost care, sooner than later!
The beauty of doing one’s duty is using common sense
And creativity, which are the essential qualities
That we all need, not only for our home-work,
But even for the work of our home-country!
- U.L.M. Ismail