Young men who once ran and played now go about on wheel chairs. Others are being helped, learning to walk again….
Youth is an important stage of human life. A young person has the opportunity to explore and enjoy life. During the dark chapter of war in our island, young men enlisted in the military. Being a soldier is not a job, it is a lifestyle which displays altruism. Battlefield encounters are bloody and fatal. It is a brutal stage that is void of mercy. Casualties of war live on, after the guns have been silenced. Since 2009 (and before) the army has been entrusted with the task of taking care of their injured comrades.
In order to witness this consistent care, I met up with Director Army Rehabilitation Brigadier Thirunavakarasu at the army vocational school located at Wattala. Brigadier Thirunavakarasu explains “During the war, when a soldier is injured he is taken to a FMD (forward medical centre) and ADS (advanced dressing station) depending on his injury. After the medical treatment, if he requires further help he is sent to a base hospital or hospital in Colombo.
Once we have assessed his injury and emotional mind set, we decide the next stage of treatment. Some are able to return to their regiments. Those with severe injuries (requiring full time medical care) are first sent to Ranaviru Sevana and subsequently to our medical wellness resort Abimansala- located at Anuradhapura, Kamburupitiya and Kurunegala. We have Mihindhu Seth Medura at Attidiya and Sanasuma at Galle. We ensure that our injured comrades get the best medical treatment and always enhance their wellbeing”.
The vocational school teaches NVQ level 3 and 4 courses on beauty culture, landscaping, aluminum fabrication, carpentry, mobile phone repair, motorbike repair, electric appliance repairs and computer. As I walked into the classrooms with Brigadier Manjula Manathunga and Major Chinthaka we were able to see the once injured soldiers learning a new trade. Brigadier Manathunga is a real life hero- when he was a young Captain he was shot through the head which rendered him to be confined to a bed. After 3 years he walked out of the hospital and today shares his story of hope with other young men.
During my visit I was inspired by two soldiers. One of them was in the model beauty salon, learning to cut hair. As I looked down I noticed him standing on a prosthetic limb (leg amputated from knee).
At the computer room another young man with his right arm amputated was teaching an injured colleague. This is the amazing level of determination and brotherly love for each other.
In addition to this school the Directorate of Rehabilitation also operates 2 garment factories where disabled soldiers stitch uniforms and other military clothing. From here I drove with Captain Dushan Premeratne to Ranaviru Sevana, located at Ragama. This rehabilitation centre is nestled on a green hill. I have come here as a schoolboy, a few times during the tenure of Brigadier Dr. Thurairajah.
Together with Dr. Lakmini Ranasinghe (Lieutenant Colonel) we visit the wards. Young men who once ran and played go about on wheel chairs. Others are being helped, learning to walk again. The physiotherapy department plays a key role in restoring body movement. Inside the gym I was again inspired by an army athlete, with one leg. Using his prosthetic leg he is on an exercise bike. There are many mobility impaired army athletes who have competed at foreign sporting events. As we came out of the gym we saw four young men walking in a line. Ravindra, Saman, Sahankumara and Silva seem normal at a distance.
As they drew near I noticed the white cane. We stopped for a chat, and Warrant Officer Ravindra explains, “I lost my vision. We have comrades here with various levels of vision impairment. The 4 of us are members of the army cricket team (vision impaired). We are happy that as a team we have toured India, South Africa, Pakistan and Dubai”.
As we shake hands he asks me “When will you publish our story?” and I replied “On Sunday”- to which he made a profound thought provoking answer. “Thank you sir, but we can never see our story”. This is the harsh reality of the war wounded soldier. These young men gave up much to enrich our future.
It is not pleasant to go back into the past, yet one has to do so to understand and appreciate their sacrifice. From here we visited the Behaviour Change Centre.
Many are not aware of the term PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) a condition of persistent mental and emotional stress occurring as a result of injury or severe psychological shock, typically involving disturbance of sleep and constant vivid recall of the experience, with dulled responses to others.
The young men are resting in bed after lunch. I approach a young soldier; his gaze focused on me- a stranger. As I gave him my hand he grasps it and smiles. It was a treasured moment, further accentuating the fact that we are all sons of one nation. At the adjacent ward a young female nurse is spoon feeding a soldier, his rice and curry. This manifestation of care is exceptional.
Ranaviru Sevana has a speech therapy unit and counseling unit. They also operate a specialized workshop where disabled soldiers make prosthetic limbs for their comrades across the country. From taking the initial measurement to fabricating a new limb the process is laden with devotion. For the hundreds of young people enjoying life, dancing at night clubs and going to movies a visit to this healing oasis will give you a new insight into life. Life is a gift. We must sustain peace in our motherland at all cost.