Features

THE BATTICALOA FLOODS OF 1957-58

Published

2 years ago

2024/10/6

(Excerpted from Falling Leaves, an autobiographical anthology by LC Arulpragasam)

The months of November and December of 1957 were marked by torrential rains in the Batticaloa District, leading to the biggest flood of the century. While the rain was building up, I received an official call that I was to be appointed to the post of Deputy Commissioner of Agrarian Services with immediate effect. They wanted me to report for duty by December 27 (a week from that date) but with the additional proviso that I should be in Colombo on December 24 and 25 (Christmas Eve and Christmas day) in order to draw up the administrative regulations under the Paddy Lands Act. Since this was too good an offer to miss, I consented, although I knew that it was going to be very difficult for me and my family to comply with these conditions.

We were on the last train going out of Batticaloa, ultimately arriving in Colombo in time for me to work on 24 and 25 December, as agreed. . But late on Christmas night, I heard the Government Agent of Batticaloa calling on the radio for the evacuation of Kalmunai. This to me signaled the fear of a breach of the Inginiyagala (Gal Oya) dam, which meant that at least one million people in the densely populated area of Kalmunai would be swept out to sea.

Unfortunately, the Government Agent was new, having come to the district only one month previously. Hence, there was no one in the district capable of dealing with a crisis like this. It was now midnight on Christmas day. I was officially to take up duties in Colombo on 27 December. Meanwhile, all road and railway links to Batticaloa had been impassable for the last four days.

I was in a quandary: I was still legally Assistant Government Agent of the Batticaloa District. It was supposed to be impossible to reach Batticaloa. Hence the rational thing to do was to remain in Colombo and assume the duties of my new post on the next day, 27 December. Being blessed (or cursed?) by a severe sense of duty, I felt that it was my moral duty to get back to Batticaloa, although I knew that I would not be AGA Batticaloa by the time I reached that district! It also meant disobeying official orders to assume duties in Colombo – for which I could be sacked.

First, I had to decide what route to take, since I knew that the main road to Batticaloa (through Polonnaruwa) had been impassable for one week. So I rang the Automobile Association (AAA) and enquired about the road to Badulla which runs through the hill country. I even suggested a more devious route through Hambantota. But both of them were declared impassable and impossible by the AAA. In fact, the AAA officer guffawed when he learnt where I was trying to go, saying that the road at Manampitiya was 30 feet under water! I decided to take the high road through the hill country, despite the odds.

The problem now was to find a means of transport. By chance, I had seen one of the Divisional Revenue Officers (DROs) of the Batticaloa District in Colombo that day. I knew that he was in Colombo without authorized leave, thus being away from his post at a time of crisis – for which he could be sacked. I now seized the opportunity to force him to take me back to Batticaloa in his car. But when I found my way to the DRO’s house, he was dead drunk and had fallen asleep on the sofa – it being midnight on Christmas day! Having persuaded his scared wife that he would be sacked if he did not get back to his duty station, I bundled him into the back seat of his car (where he immediately fell asleep) and set out driving to Batticaloa through the hill country.

Once into the hills, however, I was stopped by landslides obstructing my path at every turn. With each deviation I encountered more landslides. By around 6 a.m., completely exhausted and completely lost, I stopped at a small waterfall to freshen up. Fortunately the DRO woke up; he recognized the place, having worked in this area before. He was thus able to show me another route. But here we were met by a major causeway, over which the Gal Oya River was flowing at top speed.

Cars were packed on both banks of the river for almost half a mile, having waited for more than three days for the river to subside. In fact, four passengers in a car had plunged to their death at this very spot in the previous year by trying to cross this river in spate at this very place. I needed to know, however, whether the river was rising or falling. Fortunately I had some experience of rivers like this, having navigated some of them in my canoe during my school and University days. So I planted a few sticks on the river bank to mark the water level – and went to sleep, instructing the DRO to wake me up in two hours.

When I awoke, my sticks showed that the river was still rising – which meant that it would only get worse if I waited. Therefore I decided to cross straight away, despite the protests of my colleague and the advice of the crowd. To cut a long story short, we did manage to get across the river amid cheers from the crowds on both banks! The other cars would have had to wait for at least five more days before they could cross.

But it was not long before we were brought to a halt by massive mara trees which had been up-ended across the road by the storm. Their trunks and roots were more than ten feet high, lying horizontally across the road, blocking it entirely. So we had to abandon the car and walk. Thereafter we found a mini-van which took us some distance, till we came across more massive fallen trees obstructing the road.

We abandoned the van to continue farther on foot. We then commandeered a couple of bicycles, since my colleague (who had been the DRO of this division in the Badulla district) had only to identify himself to get anything we wanted!

Thereafter more trees again: so more walking. Then we commandeered a tractor which took us a few miles, followed by more trees across the road and more bicycles, until we finally reached my DRO colleague’s headquarters in Bintenne Pattu, in the western part of the Batticaloa district. After lunch, he got me a bicycle and someone to accompany me. So I cycled for two hours to reach the Unnichchai Colonization Scheme by nightfall, where I was well known.

The Colonization Officer begged of me not to go on, because no one knew whether Batticaloa was still standing! He persuaded me to wait till next morning, when he promised to get a boat and someone to accompany me. By 6 a.m. next morning, a small crowd had gathered, since it was known that the AGA (me) was trying to get to Batticaloa from this point.

But my heart sank when I saw what was before me. Apart from the gushing floodwaters, two dams (the Unnichchai and Rugam irrigation dams) had breached upstream, unleashing a wall of water that had gouged open the main road to Batticaloa, kicking up a wave of water over 12 feet high across the road that I was trying to follow. My heart sank. My instincts and knowledge of water told me that it would be suicidal to cross from here. The Colonization Officer, who was very fond of me, started crying, scaring me even further. He then called for volunteers to accompany me. There was not a single volunteer, although many of them had received land from me as AGA!

Fortunately for me, I chickened out at this time and requested an inflated tube to wear around my waist, for I would have certainly capsized in trying to cross from here. We had to go back a few miles in order to get the tube. At this new place, although the swollen lagoon water was moving rapidly, I realized that it was at least navigable. But there was still no land in sight (normally one could see Batticaloa in the distance from this place), nor any sign that Batticaloa was still there – in which case we would be swept out to sea! However, I decided to cross the lagoon from this point – a decision which certainly saved my life that day.

As soon as I announced this intention, two men immediately volunteered to come with me. They were farmer-fishermen who knew that whereas my first plan was suicidal, my present plan was feasible. They dismantled the outriggers from two canoes, then lashed the two canoes together with three planks across, thus creating a stable twin-hulled craft. We set out with the Colonization Officer intoning prayers for my safety, while the crowd cheered us on.

To get us some idea of direction, I tried to follow the course of the road that led to Batticaloa. We could sometimes make this out by the tips of coconut trees which lined the road on its two sides. Sometimes we would hear unearthly howling like people dying of pain: they proved to be from dogs marooned on roof ridges, with six days of hunger in their bellies. After rowing for some hours, we reached what we thought was high ground adjoining Batticaloa town. So we left the boats and started walking – only to find that we were surrounded by water again. So we had to return to the boats and row farther towards where we thought Batticaloa to be. Again we left the boats and started walking. We could now see the outskirts of the town, but we encountered water once more. At this point we started swimming from tree to tree, until we reached high ground and entered Batticaloa town.

(To be continued next week)

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Features

The hard challenge of clinching a political settlement in the Middle East

Published

14 hours ago

2026/07/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

Bruised hearts: Displaced Palestinian civilians in the Gaza.(Photo by Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Despite some sections of the Trump administration persisting with the view that the possibility could not be entirely ruled out of there being a diplomatic solution to the current US-Iran hostilities in West Asia, the skeptic could not be blamed for thinking otherwise. The intensity, scale and frequency of the tit-for-tat strikes by the antagonists over the past few days against selected military targets and civilian infrastructure in particular in West Asia make the adoption of this stance excusable.

The continuing hostilities render the mentioning of the MOU signed between the warring parties in mid-June a laughable matter. While it could very well be that the foes are wishing privately for a cessation of hostilities before long, what seems to be uppermost on their minds right now is to negotiate with each other from a position of strength. This strategy compels them to incapacitate each other militarily to the extent possible, lest they have to concede too much to each other during negotiations. Hence the stepped-up hostilities.

However, even on the question of there being a negotiated political settlement in the West Asian theatre in the longer term, the skeptic could come to be seen as scoring over the optimist. Developments on the ground account for this.

At the time of writing Israel’s Netanyahu government is going ahead in fairly care-free fashion with the establishment of more Jewish settlements in the Gaza and the West Bank, and it’s all happening under the apparently complacent gaze of the US. In fact, some quarters estimate that Israel is in control of some 65% of the Gaza Strip. Ethnic cleansing, that is, is being drastically stepped-up.

Accordingly, in terms of the power relations of West Asia, the world is almost back to the status quo of the late forties of the last century when the state of Israel was established and the Palestinians were reduced to a microscopic minority in the land they came to inhabit. Therefore, even the impartial observer would be compelled to ask: ‘Will a negotiated peace be ever possible in the Middle East?’

The humanist in the observer would prefer to answer this question in the affirmative and it is indeed the ideal stance to adopt considering the staggering human and material costs of the conflict. But the way ahead to peace could be expected to be highly hazardous and arduous. Among other odds, it would also prove an uphill endeavour to win minds and hearts.

The US’ Trump administration would need to be counted out in this pursuit. This is on account of the fact that it has been far too wayward in its management of West Asian affairs in particular over the past couple of years. Given its unpredictable character it is a matter for conjecture whether it could be counted on to live up to its commitments.

Moreover, Israel could be expected to ‘go it alone’ in the Middle East regardless of whether US help is coming or otherwise. It has indicated as much in recent times and Israel could be doubted on this score only at the doubter’s peril. Because time and again Israel has demonstrated that it could steadfastly defend its interests even single-handedly in the Middle East. History bears this out.

However, a durable alliance with the US would stand Israel in good stead. On the matter of military and intelligence assistance, for example, the US’s help proved invaluable for Israel in the past and going forward this is bound to be so as well. Moreover, it is unlikely that the Trump administration would give up on Israel, considering that a strong Israel is crucial for the furtherance of the US’ strategic and economic interests in West Asia.

But whether the above factors would have a considerable bearing on the question of working out a durable solution to the West Asian tangle is an entirely different matter. Israel, as in the case of the Palestinian enclaves, is acutely security conscious and would need to satisfy itself fully that it could live in a security environment that would guarantee its complete safety, going forward.

The Middle East is badly in need of another peace effort on the lines of the Oslo Accords of the mid-nineties that brought the key actors together and helped hammer out a solution that addressed some of their notable concerns. To be sure, that process did not prove to be the ideal answer to the tangle, but it yielded some respite to the region and drove home that one-time sworn foes could indeed negotiate with a degree of success. The West Bank authority, although falling short of fulfilling some key Palestinian aspirations, is testimony that a degree of success is possible if the intent is right.

Given the current realities of West Asia, peace-making is bound to be an uphill challenge. The violence faced in recent times by the Palestinian community, in particular, has been nothing less than mind-numbing. Merciless has been the violence visited on them by the Israeli side. In such circumstances, durable peace in the region could smack of an idealist’s dream.

Nevertheless, there needs to be urgently, a meeting of minds over the divides. The US would need to be counted out as an honest broker in bringing the sides together but the rest of the West would do well to step up to the challenge.

In this exercise the onus would be on the world’s democracies to take the initiative and doggedly stay the course. An acceptable combination would be the EU and the UN. Given their credentials, the main sides in West Asia ought to find them the least controversial.

Even if the relevant institutional and political arrangements could be shored up to take a reconciliation process forward, winning hearts and minds for the peace drive would prove a grueling challenge. Over the past few years in particular tens of thousands of hearts and minds on both sides of the divide have been bruised badly in the runaway murderous violence that has come to define the Middle East.

These badly scarred personalities would need to experience healing without much delay. It is therefore a multi-faceted challenge that is at hand. Since wide-ranging expertise would be needed in the healing process, people’s participation in peace-making, ranging over the divides, would need to be made a durable reality. It will be a time for enthroning humanity and ensuring the rejection of all forms of violence and coercion.

Features

Amazing Thailand …right here in Colombo

Published

14 hours ago

2026/07/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

For many Sri Lankans, Thailand is the go-to holiday — beaches, temples, food, and that famous warm hospitality.

In fact, I’ve been to Amazing Thailand 24 times myself, and was honoured with the Friends of Thailand International Media Award by the Tourism Authority of Thailand for promoting Thai tourism.

The good news I have for you today is that you don’t even need a passport to get a taste of Amazing Thailand.

The Royal Thai Embassy, in Colombo, is bringing a vibrant slice of Thailand, to the city of Colombo, with Thai Festival 2026 — a cultural experience like never before.

Whether you are an avid enthusiast of Thai culture, a total novice, or simply just interested in exploring foreign cultures, Thai Festival 2026 is going to be the perfect opportunity for you to get more than just a glimpse into one of the most celebrated cultural heritages in South East Asia. And ENTRANCE IS FREE.

The festival will be held on the 1st and 2nd of August, 2026, at Siam Nivasa, 43, C.W.W. Kannangara Mawatha, Colombo 7, and the East Parking Area, of the Colombo Municipal Council, from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Both days will be full of live entertainment, and dispersed throughout with Thai cultural displays, including exhilarating traditional dance performances and breathtaking Muay Thai demonstrations.

Exploring art and craft specific to Thailand, tasting irresistible authentic Thai cuisine, and playing arcade games, are just a few more fun-filled events available for visitors at the festival premises.

An array of Thai products will also be available for purchase.

While at the festival, you will find Sri Lankan Alumni from Thai universities sharing their experiences with you and willing to answer any questions you might have, related to studying abroad in Thailand.

You can also register for the Muay Thai workshop that will be happening on the 7th and 8th of August, 2026, in Colombo.

Irresistible authentic Thai cuisine

Visitors can also stand a chance to win traditional Thai souvenirs, get exclusive photo opportunities, and, the big one — to enter the raffle draw, at the end of each day, for the grand prize of an all-inclusive round trip to Thailand.

Be sure to avail yourself of this exceptional opportunity and add a cultural spin to your weekend.

To keep up with the latest updates on Thai Festival 2026, head over to the Thai Festival official social media pages.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo official webpage:

https://colombo.thaiembassy.org

Official social media:

Facebook: @RTEColombo

Instagram: @thaiembassysrilanka

Thai Festival official social media:

Facebook: Thai Festival in Colombo

Instagram: @thaifestival_colombo

TikTok: @thaifestival.incolombo

Features

Thicker, stronger hair …

Published

14 hours ago

2026/07/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

Hair fall, in this heat, can be so frustrating, and noticing a thin patch is even more worrying. The good news is … yes, with a little care and kitchen ingredients, you can nourish your scalp and support healthy regrowth.

Try these four easy home remedies … even our grandmothers trusted:

* Coconut Oil and Curry Leaves Tonic:

Warm 04 tablespoons of coconut oil, with a handful of curry leaves, till the leaves turn black. Cool, strain, and massage into scalp 02-03 times a week. Leave for 01 hour, or overnight.

Why:

Coconut oil deeply nourishes, while curry leaves help strengthen roots and add shine.

* Onion Juice for Spot Treatment:

With cotton, dab the juice of 01 small onion, directly on the thin/bald patches. Leave for 20-30 minutes, and then wash with a mild shampoo. Use twice a week.

Why:

Rich in sulfur, onion juice helps boost blood circulation to the scalp.

* Aloe Vera and Castor Oil Mask:

Mix 02 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel and 01 tablespoon castor oil and apply to the scalp, focusing on thinning areas. Leave for 45 minutes, and then rinse with cool water.

Why:

Aloe vera soothes the scalp, while castor oil coats hair to make it look thicker.

* Fenugreek and Curd Strengthening Pack:

You will need 02 tablespoons fenugreek seeds, soaked overnight, and 02 tablespoons plain curd.

Grind to a paste, apply to scalp for 30 minutes, and then wash.

Why:

Fenugreek strengthens strands and reduces breakage.

Extra Tips for Healthy Hair:

Avoid tight hairstyles that pull on the scalp.

Eat iron and protein rich foods: greens, dhal, eggs, fish.

Use lukewarm water, not hot.

Be gentle when brushing and drying.