Features

Giving life to days

Published

4 years ago

2021/03/25

Sahan Weerasooriya

UHKDU Palliative Care Services Unit

By Sajitha Prematunge

Fifty six year-old Somalatha was diagnosed with end stage cancer and was already bedridden by the time she was admitted to hospital. With proper care she was able to walk again and was looking forward to making a secure future for her children. But tragedy struck Somalatha’s family again. After her husband suddenly died of a stroke, she was forced to fend for herself. Soon after her condition worsened. Unfortunately Somalatha didn’t live to see her kids receive scholarships with the help of the dedicated University Hospital, Kotelawala Defence University staff, who cared for her.

Although her name is fictitious her predicament is all too real and thousands like her die annually without vital palliative care they are denied just because they couldn’t afford it. It is true that the Sri Lankan healthcare system is one of the best in the world, in that it is almost exclusively free of charge. But no system is infallible. It is patients like Somalatha who have to bear the brunt of its shortcomings, falling through the cracks of the Sri Lankan healthcare system.

In this light, University Hospital, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Palliative Care Services Unit, inaugurate on February 3 should be lauded as a timely intervention, although they had been practising palliative care long before. The UHKDU Palliative Care Services Unit was initiated at a time when repeated attempts to establish such services by various institutions had failed.

Palliative care

“The simple definition of palliative care is to optimise the quality of life of patients and care givers or loved ones, from the moment the patient is diagnosed with a chronic illness. The definition of ‘chronic’ here has wide implications, ranging from terminal cancer, schizophrenia, chronic neurological diseases, motor neuron disease, stroke to multiple fractures. Any of these conditions require palliative care,” said Consultant Oncologist Dr. Sachini Rasnayake.

It is difficult to believe that this personage of slight build heads Palliative Care Services at UHKDU, deftly fielding inquiries of changes to medication, pain management, financial issues and fears of patients, while breaking bad news to patients as gently as possible on an all too regular basis. “The responsibility of the palliative care giver is to uplift lives of the patients physically, psychosocially and spiritually,” said Rasnayake.

Goals

UHKDU Palliative Care Services was established with four main goals in mind. The first of which was to appoint a palliative care team. Rasnayake said that having so many expert consultants from different fields within the UHKDU was an added advantage. “A number of consultants volunteered to provide their services,” said a grateful Rasnayake. She opined that this team spirit was vital in establishing palliative care services. “A team of consultant anaesthetists volunteered to conduct a pain management clinic,” said Rasnayake, who pointed out that pain management is key priority when dealing with any chronic illness. “A group of physicians volunteered to attend to medical issues of palliative care patients. Onco-surgeons and the surgical team looks into the surgical aspect of palliative care.” For example, a Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) tube is surgically inserted into a patient’s stomach through the abdominal wall for feeding purposes. “This is much more desirable than the nasogastric (NG) tube. An NG, inserted through the nose, past the throat, and into the stomach, is very uncomfortable for the patient.”

The team at UHKDU has performed the procedure on multiple long term paralysed patients and patients with throat cancers. “Long term bedridden patients require catheter care and may suffer from urinary incontinence, accidental or involuntary loss of urine; or faecal incontinence, accidental or involuntary loss of faeces or flatus.” Rasnayake explained that indwelling catheters could cause a host of other problems such as urinary track infections. “Genitourinary (GU) surgeons are tasked with addressing such issues.” Rasnayake appreciated the fact that the few oncologists at KDU were able to volunteer for palliative care despite their heavy workload. “Palliative care at UHKDU has no designated Medical Officers. But with much difficulty we were able to secure one nurse. The whole oncology team along with the pharmacists are all experts at palliative care and are wholeheartedly supportive of this initiative.” The rest of the palliative care team consists of a dedicated group of psychiatrists, psychologists and ENT surgeons.

Their second goal is to conduct ongoing medical education programmes. She explained that the team, including the supporting staff had undergone training. “By 2022 we hope that the whole hospital staff would be trained in palliative care,” said Rasnayake hopefully. “It’s vital that everyone undergoes training, since every service accompanies a component of palliative care.” Rasnayake informed that virtual teaching clips were used to train and online assessments used to ascertain the success of candidates, validated through a certification process. “If there is one thing we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s how pragmatic and applicable virtual training is. For example training a whole staff at the same time would mean that they would have to expend vital work hours. But with virtual training clips the potential care-givers can learn at their own pace.” UHKDU, Executive Director and Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Jayan Mendis was the first to identify the crying need for a palliative care facility within the University Hospital. Mendis reiterated the significance of such an initiative, pointing out that the training students receive at the facility will be crucial.

The third goal is to provide palliative care home visits. Rasnayake explained that such a service would be beneficial to bedridden patients who experience financial constraints. “Unfortunately we still don’t have a free a

mbulance service.” Rasnayake said that while serving in Polonnaruwa the Cyril Dharmawardana Foundation provided an ambulance service free of charge, which facilitated Rasnayake’s travel to distant parts of the country so she could provide palliative care services to patients who could not afford to travel. “With home visits we can address issues such as constipation, administer IV drips, train care givers and optimise the condition of the patient’s accommodation, including lighting and ventilation.”

The fourth goal is to establish a palliative care hospice. “Palliative Care Unit, Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Onco Sergeon Dr. Krishantha Perera has achieved just this,” said Rasnayake. “There isn’t such a hospital in Colombo.” She explained that a hospice would see to the psychosocial well being of a patient, in a homely environment, providing symptomatic support. Towards achieving their last goal KDU Vice Chancellor Major General Milinda Peiris has announced his agreement to allocate 10 such rooms from the KDU hotel, to extend this facility to short term palliative care patients. “For the first time in Sri Lankan health tourism, UHKDU has introduced the hospital hotel concept,” said Peiris. “Moreover, in an emergency the patient can be transferred to the hospital in less than five minutes.”

Rasnayake informed that a host of other services concerning palliative care is provided in-house by physiotherapists, psychologists and social workers. Providing radiation therapy at the palliative care facility is also in the works. “But to establish such services and facilities we must have the man power and resources,” Rasnayake pointed out. Rasnayake said that manpower, resources and understanding are integral to palliative care, aspects Sri Lanka is lagging behind in, compared to developed countries. “Unfortunately this has not been well communicated to the community. Most don’t know how they can provide such services,” said Rasnayake. She explained that this is the greatest difference between a hospital and a hospice. “At a hospice you can offer your services, clean and wash patients, subject to supervision, and even entertain them. In a hospital there are rules and regulations that prevents this.”

“One doesn’t have to be medically proficient to practise palliative care. Many who’ve had fallen on hard times in their lives later want to help others through such times,” said Oncology Department, Research Assistant, Dr. Sandini Liyanage. Liyanage and her ilk are stuck between a rock and a hard place. “We want to help, but there’s only so much we can do. We can only treat the patient, with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. But a lot more goes on in the patients’ lives. A terminal illness entails a host of psychosocial issues.” For example, Liyanage explained that, from the moment someone is diagnose with stage four cancer, they’ll invariably start to worry about everything from money, treatment to how to educate their children. “They will mentally fall apart.” Liyanage who is volunteering for palliative care service said that the services are available to any patient, although most who currently receive services are oncology patients. “It’s not just about treating the cancer. The families are also devastated. Cancer takes not only lives but a lot of other things from the family the patient leaves behind.”

Socio-economic constraints

As medical officers of palliative care those like Liyanage are able to build a complete picture about the socio-economic background of a patient by studying their history. She pointed out that most of the patients who require palliative care services are of lower socio-economic backgrounds, who were struggling to make ends meet when the illness in question exacerbated the situation.

“That’s why communication is vital. Palliative care strives to provide a patient-friendly environment,” said nurse Yashmi Kaushalya. Oncology Department nurse, the only such working full time for the Palliative Care unit, Kaushalya is a far cry from the average nurse. With a temperament befitting palliative care, Kaushalya’s calm and measured speech will no doubt assuage her patients. “As nurses we are required to communicate with patients and family members.” Palliative care nurses must be privy to psychological, physical, socio-economic problems of patients. She opined that palliative care is instrumental in caring for patients who have little family backing.

As a nurse new to palliative care, Kaushalya has not broken bad news to a patient’s family yet, for which she would accompany Rasnayake tomorrow. “It can’t be easy breaking bad news,” admitted Kaushalya. “In fact, our services have a lot more to do with caring for patients psychologically than physically,” said Kaushalya. “This is what makes palliative care nurses different from the average nurse.”

“When the patient does not have money to buy drugs, palliative care ends then and there. Although palliative care has been practised for ages, when social and financial capability is curtailed the quality of service drops. This is why social and economical support is vital,” admitted Rasnayake, who had bought drugs for patients out of her own pocket on several occasions. She reiterated that trust and continuous social care services and above all financial support is imperative for maintaining sustainable palliative care.

Rasnayake is positive that money will not be an obstacle for the continuity of the programme. Cancer Care Association founder and Chairman of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol, Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa provides much needed support, while Indira Caner Trust Director Dr. Lanka Dissanayake and Cancer Society President Anuja Karunaratne have pledged support for the programme. Rasnayake emphasised the significance of establishing a palliative care trust and a governing body to coordinate funds and all stakeholders, to ensure continued support for patients. Rasnayake appreciated the support of senior journalist and former diplomat late Bandula Jayasekara in making the programme a success.

Rasnayake readily admits that Oncology Department Head, Senior Oncologist Dr. Jayantha Balawardhane is the driving force behind the programme. Balawardhane explained that the main objectives of palliative care is to relieve and comfort patients. He pointed out that palliative care can be conducted in the ward, acute care hospital, palliative care unit or hospice, hostel, nursing home, elders home or one’s own home. “Place is immaterial when it comes to palliative care.” Balawardhane emphasized that pain relief is an integral part of palliative care. “Relieving pain is half the battle in palliative care.” Other discomforts such as bedsores, loss of bladder and bowel control adds insult to injury.

Psychosocial issues

Psychosocial issues such as sense of abandonment, anger, frustration and resentment exacerbate the psychological condition of the patient. “Patients maybe embittered, therefore we must address such psychosocial issues with care,” reiterated Balawardhane. Social abandonment, resulting from stigma, due to myths such as cancer is contagious or associating those undergoing chemo or radiation therapy could adversely affect others, and busy schedules that prevent loved ones from visiting are among the major social issues faced by palliative care patients. “Cosmetic mutilation is also a major issue,” pointed out Balawardhane. Treatment results in hair loss, palloring of skin and weight loss and this contributes to patients becoming social outcasts.

“Palliative care must also respect cultural differences and religious inclinations. For example, one who may believe in reincarnation may attempt to weigh one’s merits and demerits, contemplating on where he or she would be reborn. All this contribute to the suffering of the patient,” said Balawardhane. Quoting from American neurosurgeon, pathologist and writer, Harvey Cushing, Balawardhane said that, “‘A physician is obligated to consider more than a diseased organ, more even than the whole man – he must view the man in his world’, meaning that palliative care is holistic care. Most importantly it should be patient centred, family centred.” Palliative care should be comprehensive, leaving no stone unturned, continuous and proactive, delivered by a coordinated team and subject to regular review.”

The palliative care team consists of nurse, dietician, pharmacist, occupational therapist, paramedical aid, General Practitioner, bereavement support worker, social worker, councillor, domestic care provider and even the funeral director plays a vital role in the team. Palliative care is a support system that facilitates an active lifestyle for as long as medically possible. “This requires a lot of distractions such as games like carom, card or scrabble, listening to music or watching TV.” Palliative care practitioners use their clinical expertise and judgement to anticipate problems and treat them proactively before they manifest. “Integration of psychological, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of care between patient, family and caregivers is imperative to the functioning of the palliative care process,” emphasised Balawardhane.

Palliative care trains the patient to regard dying as a normal process, by improving the quality of life for the remainder, explained Balawardhane. “Quality is subjective, it differs from person to person.” he explained that the care provider must not enforce what he or she assumes as ‘quality’ on the patient and in stead must cater to patient demand. Palliative care promotes a degree of acceptance by the patient and immediate family, regarding the final outcome and assists the patient in the decision-making process that would result in a peaceful and dignified demise. Bereavement support helps loved ones to accept loss and does not abruptly stop with the demise of patient under palliative care. “The objective is to give life to days, whatever the remaining number of days, and not give days to life.”

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Features

High govt. revenue and low foreign exchange reserves High foreign exchange reserves and low govt. revenue!

Published

2 days ago

2025/03/21

Thilina Walpola

First shipment of vehicles imported to Sir Lank after the lifting the ban on automobile imports

Government has permitted, after several years, the import of motor cars. Imports, including cars, were cut off because the government then wisely prioritised importing other commodities vital to the everyday life of the general public. It is fair to expect that some pent-up demand for motor vehicles has developed. But at what prices? Government seems to have expected that consumers would pay much higher prices than had prevailed earlier.

The rupee price of foreign exchange had risen by about half from Rs.200 per US$ to Rs.300. In those years, the cost of production of cars also had risen. The government dearly wanted more revenue to meet increasing government expenditure. Usually, motor cars are bought by those with higher incomes or larger amounts of wealth. Taxes on the purchase of cars probably promote equity in the distribution of incomes. The collection of tax on motor cars is convenient. What better commodity to tax?

The announced price of a Toyota Camry is about Rs.34 million. Among us, a Camry is usually bought by those with a substantially higher income than the average middle-income earner. It is not a luxury car like a Mercedes Benz 500/ BMW 700i. Yes, there are some Ferrari drivers. When converted into US dollars, the market price of a Camry 2025 in Sri Lankan amounts to about $110,000. The market price of a Camry in US is about $34,000, where it is usually bought by income earners in the middle-middle class: typically assistant professors in state universities or young executives. Who in Lanka will buy a Camry at Rs.34 million or $110,000 a piece?

How did Treasury experts expect high revenue from the import of motor cars? The price of a Toyota Camry in US markets is about $34,000. GDP per person, a rough measure of income per person in US, was about $ 88,000 in 2024. That mythical ‘average person’ in US in 2024, could spend about 2.5 month’s income and buy a Toyota Camry. Income per person, in Lanka in 2024, was about $ 4,000. The market price of a Camry in Lanka is about $ 133,000. A person in Lanka must pay 33 years of annual income to buy a Toyota Camry in 2025.

Whoever imagined that with those incomes and prices, there would be any sales of Camry in Lanka? After making necessary adjustments (mutatis mutandis), Toyota Camry’s example applies to all import dues increases. Higher import duties will yield some additional revenue to government. How much they will yield cannot be answered without much more work. High import duties will deter people from buying imported goods. There will be no large drawdown of foreign exchange; nor will there be additional government revenue: result, high government foreign exchange reserves and low government revenue.

For people to buy cars at such higher prices in 2025, their incomes must rise substantially (unlikely) or they must shift their preferences for motor cars and drop their demand for other goods and services. There is no reason to believe that any of those changes have taken place. In the 2025 budget, government has an ambitious programme of expenditure. For government to implement that programme, they need high government revenue. If the high rates of duties on imports do not yield higher government revenue as hypothesised earlier, government must borrow in the domestic market. The economy is not worthy of raising funds in international capital markets yet.

If government sells large amounts of bonds, the price of all bonds will fall, i.e. interest rates will rise, with two consequences. First, expenditure on interest payments by government will rise for which they would need more revenue. Second, high interest rates may send money to banks rather than to industry. Finding out how these complexities will work out needs careful, methodically satisfactory work. It is probable that if government borrows heavily to pay for budgetary allocations, the fundamental problem arising out of heavy public debt will not be solved.

The congratulatory comments made by the Manager of IMF applied to the recent limited exercise of handling the severity of balance of payments and public debt problems. The fundamental problem of paying back debt can be solved only when the economy grows fast enough (perhaps 7.5 % annually) for several years. Of that growth, perhaps, half (say 4 % points) need to be paid back for many years to reduce the burden of external debt.

Domestic use of additional resources can increase annually by no more than 3.5 percent, even if the economy grows at 7.5 percent per year. Leaders in society, including scholars in the JJB government, university teachers and others must highlight the problems and seek solutions therefor, rather than repeat over and over again accounts of the problem itself.

Growth must not only be fast and sustained but also exports heavy. The reasoning is as follows. This economy is highly import-dependent. One percent growth in the economy required 0.31% percent increase in imports in 2012 and 0. 21 percent increase in 2024. The scarcity of imports cut down the rate of growth of the economy in 2024. Total GDP will not catch up with what it was in (say) 2017, until the ratio of imports to GDP rises above 30 percent.

The availability of imports is a binding constraint on the rate of growth of the economy. An economy that is free to grow will require much more imports (not only cement and structural steel but also intermediate imports of many kinds). I guess that the required ratio will exceed 35 percent. Import capacity is determined by the value of exports reduced by debt repayments to the rest of the world. The most important structural change in the economy is producing exports to provide adequate import capacity. (The constant chatter by IMF and the Treasury officials about another kind of structural change confuses the issue.) An annual 7.5 percent growth in the economy requires import capacity to grow by about 2.6 percent annually.

This economy needs, besides, resources to pay back accumulated foreign debt. If servicing that accumulation requires, takes 4% points of GDP, import capacity needs to grow by (about) 6.6 percent per year, for many years. Import capacity is created when the economy exports to earn foreign exchange and when persons working overseas remit substantial parts of their earnings to persons in Lanka. Both tourism and remittances from overseas have begun to grow robustly. They must continue to flow in persistently.

There are darkening clouds raised by fires in prominent markets for exports from all countries including those poor. This is a form of race to the bottom, which a prominent economist once called ‘a policy to beggar thy neighbour (even across the wide Pacific)’. Unlike the thirty years from 1995, the next 30 years now seem fraught with much danger to processes of growth aided by open international trade. East Asian economies grew phenomenally by selling in booming rich markets, using technology developed in rich countries.

Lanka weighed down with 2,500 years of high culture ignored that reality. The United States of America now is swinging with might and main a wrecking ball to destroy that structure which they had put up, one thought foolishly, with conviction. Among those storms, many container ships would rather be put to port than brave choppy seas. High rates of growth in export earnings seem a bleak prospect. There yet may be some room in the massive economies of China and India.

Consequently, it is fanciful to expect that living conditions will improve rapidly, beginning with the implementation of the 2025 budget. It will be a major achievement if the 2025 budget is fully implemented, as I have argued earlier. Remarkable efforts to cut down on extravagance, waste and the plunder of public funds will help, somewhat; but not enough. IMF or not, there is no way of paying back accumulated debt without running an export surplus sufficient to service debt obligations.

Exports are necessary to permit the economy to pay off accumulated debt and permit some increase in the standard of living. Austerity will be the order of the day for many years to come. It is most unlikely that the next five years will usher in prosperity.

By Usvatte-aratchi

Features

BLOSSOMS OF HOPE 2025

Published

2 days ago

2025/03/21

Thilina Walpola

An Ikebana exhibition in aid of pediatric cancer patients

This Ikebana exhibition by the members of Ikebana International Sri Lanka Chapter #262, brings this ancient art form to life in support of a deeply meaningful cause: aiding the Pediatric Cancer ward of the Apeksha Cancer Hospital, Maharagama and offering hope to young warriors in their fight against illness.

Graceful, delicate, and filled with meaning—Ikebana, the Japanese art of floral arrangement, is more than just an expression of beauty; it is a reflection of life’s resilience and harmony. “Blossoms of Hope”, is a special Ikebana exhibition, on 29th March from 11a.m. to 7p.m. and 30th March from 10a.m. to 6p.m. at the Ivy Room, Cinnamon Grand Hotel and demonstrations will be from 4p.m. to 5p.m. on both days.

Each floral arrangement in this exhibition is a tribute to strength, renewal, and love. Carefully crafted by skilled Ikebana artists, who are members of the Chapter. These breathtaking displays symbolize the courage of children battling cancer, reminding us that even in adversity, beauty can bloom. The graceful lines, vibrant hues, and thoughtful compositions of Ikebana echo the journey of resilience, inspiring both reflection and compassion.

Visitors will not only experience the tranquility and elegance of Japanese floral art but will also have the opportunity to make a difference. Proceeds from “Blossoms of Hope” will go towards enhancing medical care, providing essential resources, and creating a more comforting environment for young patients and their families.

This exhibition is more than an artistic showcase—it is a gesture of kindness, a symbol of solidarity, and a reminder that hope, like a flower, can grow even in the most unexpected places. By attending and supporting “Blossoms of Hope”, you become a part of this journey, helping to bring light and joy into the lives of children who need it most.

Join in celebrating art, compassion, and the Power of Hope—one flower at a time.

Features

St. Anthony’s Church feast at Kachchativu island

Published

2 days ago

2025/03/21

Thilina Walpola

Fort Hammenhiel

The famous St. Anthony’s Church feast this year was held on 14 and 15 March. St. Anthony, as per Catholic belief, gives protection and looks after fishermen and seafarers like me. Many Buddhist seafarers are believers in St. Anthony and they usually keep a statue of the saint in their cabins in the ship or craft.

St. Anthony died on 13th June 1231 at age of 35 years, at Padua in Holy Roman Empire and was canonized on 30 May 1232 by Pope Gregory IX.

I was unable to attend last year’s feast as I was away in Pakistan as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner. I was more than happy to learn that Indians were also attending the feast this year and there would be 4,000 devotees.

I decided to travel to Kankesanturai (KKS) Jaffna by train and stay at my usual resting place, Fort Hammenhiel Resort, a Navy-run boutique hotel, which was once a prison, where JVP leaders, including Rohana Wijeweera were held during the 1971 insurrection. I was fortunate to turn this fort on a tiny islet in Kytes lagoon into a four-star boutique hotel and preserve Wijeweera’s handwriting in 2012, when I was the Commander Northern Naval Area.

I invite you to visit Fort Hammenhiel during your next trip to Jaffna and see Wijeweera’s handwriting.

The train left Colombo Fort Railway Station on time (0530 hrs/14th) and reached KKS at 1410 hrs. I was highly impressed with the cleanliness and quality of railway compartments and toilets. When I sent a photograph of my railway compartment to my son, he texted me asking “Dad, are you in an aircraft or in a train compartment? “

Well done Sri Lanka Railways! Please keep up your good work. No wonder foreign tourists love train rides, including the famous Ella Odyssey.

Travelling on board a train is comfortable, relaxed and stress free! As a frequent traveller on A 9 road to Jaffna, which is stressful due to oncoming heavy vehicles on. This was a new experience and I enjoyed the ride, sitting comfortably and reading a book received from my friend in New York- Senaka Senaviratne—’Hillbilly Elegy’ by US Vice President JD Vance. The book is an international best seller.

My buddy, Commodore (E) Dissanayake (Dissa), a brilliant engineer who built Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Plants for North, North Central and North Western provinces to help prevent chronic kidney disease is the Commodore Superintendent Engineering in the Northern Naval Area. He was waiting at the KKS railway station to receive me.

I enjoyed a cup of tea at Dissa’s chalet at our Northern Naval Command Headquarters in KKS and proceeded to Fort Hammenhiel at Karainagar, a 35-minute drive from KKS.

The acting Commanding Officer of Karainagar Naval Base (SLNS ELARA) Commander Jayawardena (Jaye) was there at Fort Hammenhiel Restaurant to have late lunch with me.

Jaye was a cadet at Naval and Maritime Academy, (NMA) Trincomalee, when I was Commandant in 2006, NMA was under artillery fire from LTTE twice, when those officers were cadets and until we destroyed enemy gun positions, and the army occupied Sampoor south of the Trincomalee harbour. I feel very proud of Jaye, who is a Commander now (equal to Army rank Lieutenant Colonel) and Commanding a very important Naval Base in Jaffna.

The present Navy Commander Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda had been in SLNS ELARA a few hours before me and he had left for the Delft Island on an inspection tour.

Commander Jaye was very happy because his Divisional Officer, when he was a cadet, was Vice Admiral Kanchana (then Lieutenant Commander). I had lunch and rested for a few hours before leaving Karainagar in an Inshore Patrol Craft heading to Kachchativu Island by1730 hrs.

The sea was very calm due to inter-monsoon weather and we reached Kachchativu Island by 1845 hrs. Devotees from both Sri Lanka and India had already reached the island. The Catholic Bishop of Sivagangai Diocese, Tamil Nadu India His Eminence Lourdu Anandam and Vicar General of Jaffna Diocese Very Rev Fr. PJ Jabaratnam were already there in Kachchativu together with more than 100 priests and nuns from Sri Lanka and India. It was a solid display of brotherhood of two neighbouring nations united together at this tiny island to worship God. They were joined by 8,000 devotees, with 4,000 from each country).

The church

All logistics—food, fresh water, medical facilities—were provided by the Sri Lanka Navy. Now, this festival has become a major annual amphibious operation for Navy’s Landing Craft fleet, led by SLNS Shakthi (Landing Ship tanks). The Navy establishes a temporary base in a remote island which does not have a drop of drinking water, and provides food and water to 8,000 persons. The event is planned and executed commendably well under Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Thusara Karunathilake. The Sri Lankan government allocates Rs 30 million from the annual national budget for this festival, which is now considered a national religious festival.

The Indian devotees enjoy food provided by SLN. They have the highest regard for our Navy. The local devotees are from the Jaffna Diocese, mainly from the Delft Island and helped SLN. Delft Pradeshiya Sabha and AGA Delft Island. A very efficient lady supervised all administrative functions on the Island. Sri Lanka Police established a temporary police station with both male and female officers.

As usual, the Sinhalese devotees came from Negombo, Chilaw, Kurunegala and other areas, bringing food enough for them and their Catholic brothers and sisters from India! Children brought biscuits, milk toffee, kalu dodol and cakes to share with Indian and Jaffna devotees.

In his sermon on 22nd December 2016, when he declared open the new Church built by SLN from financial contributions from Navy officers and sailors, Jaffna Bishop Rt Rev Dr Justin Bernard Ganapragasam said that day “the new Church would be the Church of Reconciliation”.

The church was magnificent at night. Sitting on the beach and looking at the beautiful moon-lit sea, light breeze coming from the North East direction and listening to beautiful hymns sung by devotees praising Saint Anthony, I thanked God and remembered all my friends who patrolled those seas and were no more with us. Their dedication, and bravery out at sea brought lasting peace to our beloved country. But today WHO REMEMBERS THEM?

The rituals continued until midnight. Navy Commander and the Indian Consul General in Jaffna Sai Murali attended the Main Mass.

The following morning (15) the Main Mass was attended by Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and his family. It was a great gesture by the Navy Commander to attend the feast with his family. I had a long discussion with Indian Consul General Jaffna Sai Mulari about frequent incidents of Indian trawlers engaging in bottom trawling in Sri Lankan waters and what we should do as diplomats to bring a lasting solution to this issue, as I was highly impressed with this young Indian diplomat.

The Vicar General of the Jaffna Diocese, my dear friend, Very Rev Father P J Jabarathnam also made an open appeal to all Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen to protect the environment. I was fortunate to attend yet another St. Anthony’s Church feast in Kachchativu.

By Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne WV,

RWP& Bar, RSP, VSV, USP, NI (M) (Pakistan), ndc, psn,
Bsc (Hons) (War Studies) (Karachi) MPhil (Madras)
Former Navy Commander and Former Chief of Defense Staff
Former Chairman, Trincomalee Petroleum Terminals Ltd
Former Managing Director Ceylon Petroleum Corporation
Former High Commissioner to Pakistan