Features

Teaching physiotherapy in Colombo, a workshop in Indonesia & contact with WHO

Published

3 years ago

2023/06/25

Padmini Mendis seen here (extreme left) with Mrs. S.A.D.S. Subasinghe, Additional Secretary (Development), Ministry of Social Services in 2014

Excerpted from Memories that Linger: My journey in the word of disability
by Padmani Mendis

Knowing how to teach using the scientific method gave me confidence in my work. It was during my time at Guys that participatory and learner-centred teaching came to be used in pedagogy. Helen, our tutor, had made sure we knew these well. I now had the chance to use them with responsibility to benefit my students.

They responded well. With the first course that I started using these approaches, all the students passed the final examination, not a usual occurrence at the school. Examiners, included as well as physiotherapy tutors, medical consultants specialised in certain areas. With this batch of students, I had helped Mrs. Thera Fernando, Senior Tutor, to introduce a Community Field Training Module into the curriculum in the second year. The University of Colombo, Department of Community Medicine, our neighbour, gave us permission to use their field training area for our students.

This was the Ethul Kotte Medical Officer of Health or MOH area. On Friday mornings for twelve consecutive weeks our students in pairs visited ten homes within a specified area. On visits, they studied the health of members relating that to their socio-economic situation. Included was a focus on finding those who had mobility problems.

After a break for lunch, in the early afternoon session back at the school, we had a discussion of their findings and what they may do about it. We focused on the advice they would give the family. A record of all this they kept and were assessed on it. This was the first occasion that student therapists and even I, for that matter, had exposure to what community living for this, the poorer segment of our urban society, was like.

Embarking on an International Career

Now at last I really enjoyed working as a physiotherapist in Sri Lanka. Perhaps because I was teaching it. But this would not be for long. I would soon have the opportunity to use this knowledge and experience and journey on to something even more rewarding.

The memories of these new opportunities I would have I will start sharing with you in the next section called “Three Pioneers in Geneva”. In this section I have recalled how my work for the World Health Organization or WHO came about. And how I helped WHO to develop a new strategy for rehabilitation which came to be called Community-Based Rehabilitation, well-known as CBR.

CBR was more successful than one could have imagined. The demand for it grew and I was called upon to visit an ever-increasing number of countries for follow-up, monitoring, evaluation, planning, teaching, and expansion of this strategy. I was required to spend more time in these several roles continuing my journey in disability over the next few decades to promote the global development of CBR for disabled people.

To do this and to balance it with my home life with Nalin, I gave up teaching at the school in 1981. I would miss my students and my colleagues.

How My Work for WHO Came to Be

The year was 1978. I was teaching at the School of Physiotherapy of the Ministry of Health in Colombo. My colleague and boss Thera Fernando had just been nominated by the Department of Health to attend a meeting on Disability and Rehabilitation organised by the World Health Organisation or WHO to be held in Solo, Indonesia in December of that year.

Since she had attended the previous meeting on the same subject in Indonesia, she suggested to the department that I be nominated instead. Very unusual in those days when competition was rife to grab any and every trip abroad. But she was an unusually unselfish person.

Named first was a medical specialist in rheumatology and I was the second nominee. We were to travel together to Indonesia. As pre-workshop preparation, WHO called for two documents which would then be presented at the workshop. One was a Situational Analysis of Disability and Rehabilitation in Sri Lanka and the second was a Plan of Action to introduce what was then called Disability Oriented Rehabilitation to improve the lives of disabled people. Being the junior nominee in a hierarchical health sector the task of preparing these two documents fell on me.

And did I not carry out the task with joyful enthusiasm! As I shared with you, I had returned from the UK and Denmark a few months earlier having followed a two-year diploma course on the teaching of physiotherapy in London and having obtained some practical experience of it in London and Denmark. Well-versed in objectives, strategies, activities, plans of action, monitoring, evaluation and anything and everything else that goes with that, I was up to the task.

The Situation Analysis and the Plan of Action were prepared. So were presentations that were to be made in Solo. This was through the use of transparencies and overhead projectors, long before the advent of computers and multimedia equipment.

I started sharing my memories with you in my belief that I was, since my birth, blessed with good fortune. Some 40 years later, I believe it was that same good fortune that brought me face-to-face with Dr. Einar Helander at this meeting in Indonesia. Dr. Einar Helander had come from WHO, Geneva to facilitate the workshop. He was in charge of the Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Programme at headquarters. This meeting led to my participating as a co-pioneer of Community-Based Rehabilitation or CBR for the World Health Organisation.

Interruption – Why Disabled People?

Before going further, you may wonder at my use of the description “disabled people”. There is a demand from many Disability Groups and Movements that they be referred to as “persons with disabilities”. It is mandatory now in the UN system that they be called so. There are however scattered groups and individuals, including disabled people, who see this differently and I am one of those.

People who have disabilities are, first and foremost human beings like you and me. They are that part of humanity that have been made disabled by society. Society does so primarily by considering them to be some other kind of human being, essentially different from us who are “normal”.

Society stigmatises them; by seeing only what they cannot do and not what they can do or have the capacities and potential to do; by not providing within our societies facilities that would enable them to do what they can do as human beings. That which would enable them to enjoy their rights as human beings. That which would enable them to carry out their role as citizens – such as adapting education systems with relevant legislation to meet the needs of all children and youth which will then include those who have disabilities participating alongside their peers; adapting transport and public spaces so that all people can use them, be they young or old or have disabilities, and so on.

By not doing these things it is we who disable them. It is not the fault of those that are born with or acquire disability at some point in their life. It is Society that creates disability.

Changing this first and foremost requires an acceptance that this is the fact, that this is the truth. Then only can we bring about change in our beliefs and attitudes so that we accept them as one of us; so that we make a change in our systems and services to enable them to access their right to share in the benefits of being a member of our families, of our communities and of global society; so that they could play their part and take responsibility within these as we do.

This is a Vision. But until we are well on the path to reaching that vision, Society will continue to be responsible for their situation. Society will continue to create disability. They will remain disabled people.

Back to Solo, Indonesia

The first day of the workshop in Solo was a novel experience. Thirty or so participants from the South-East Asian Region of WHO were present. Proceedings began with the customary round of introductions. I was floored when I realised that all bar one were medical specialists. Most in orthopaedic surgery, a few in rheumatology which was a relatively new speciality at the time. And yours truly was the only physiotherapist.

But I had youth on my side together with confidence because I had prepared for the workshop. Sri Lanka’s presentation was to be in the afternoon. I had handed over to my senior partner all the documents for presentation and briefed her on them. The time came for presentation, Sri Lanka was announced.

And lo and behold my senior partner got cold feet. She pushed the papers towards me with the words, “You present.” I tried to persuade her but her feet stayed cold. So I carried out my duty. That I had done so successfully was clear by the barrage of questions that I was asked at the end of the presentation.

And the challenge issued to me by the most senior orthopaedic surgeon of them all and the most eminent of the eminent. And what is more, from India – from the most prestigious rehabilitation institute in Bombay. This was, “We will see how Sri Lanka is going to do that.” Well I am happy to say that over the next few decades Sri Lanka did do a lot of that. Some of which I hope to share with you later in my memories.

Over the next few days we had many small group exercises, problem solving and plenary discussions. On the third day Dr. Helander called me aside and asked me whether I would have dinner with him. That evening we took two “Cyclos” which you may know as cycle rickshaws. I had been carried in a rickshaw to school when I was quite young. I was then staying with my cousins and the “rickshaw coolie” was sent for when their car which usually took us was not available. We had now progressed from man power to pedal power.

We went to a pleasant Indonesian restaurant. Einar, as he insisted on being called now, asked about me and my life back home. I asked about him and his family. And then he sprang a surprise on me. He asked me seemingly as a matter of course whether I would “do some work” for him. I thought perhaps that he would ask me to do some writing for him while sitting at home. Of course I agreed. There was no more talk about the subject for the rest of the week. I returned to Colombo content that I had made my contribution.

But many years later, when we were friends and colleagues working on a common agenda, I asked him about that workshop in Solo. I questioned him as to why he asked what he did and selected me without knowing me, for the pioneering work that he, Gunnel and I did together. He said it was because, “Every time I came round to your group you were challenging those eminent medical men.” Further, he said that I was, “doing it so very politely in a way that made them accept you.”

He did not refer to respect. But respectful I was, taking heed of their age and experience. If I had not done so, they would without doubt have crushed me to a pulp.

An Unexpected Invitation

Time passed. It was now a day in February 1979. I had just recently celebrated my 40th birthday with my family. The postman came as usual in the morning. Unusually though there was a letter indicating on the envelope that it was from WHO Geneva. I wondered, “What is this about?”

Soon to find out that it was from Einar, inviting me to come to Geneva for three months and undertake a short-term consultancy. I would be required to carry out a task preparing a Manual for implementing “Community-Oriented Rehabilitation”. My co-consultant would be Ms. Gunnel Nelson from Gothenburg, Sweden. He would work with us as well. I was expected in Geneva on May 15.

What excitement! With an increasing heart beat I ran next door to where my parents-in-law lived. Reading the letter, they shared my excitement and were oh so happy for me. In that excitement I remember saying foolish things to them – things like, “What on earth is community-oriented rehabilitation?” and “But I don’t know how to write a manual”, “What is a manual?” And I could hardly wait until Nalin came home from work to show him this marvellous letter.

That workshop in Solo marked a turning point in my life. It took me to an invitation to WHO Headquarters in Geneva to be a Consultant on the Disability and Rehabilitation Programme.

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Crucial test for religious and ethnic harmony in Bangladesh

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

A political protest that led to governmental change in Bangladesh mid last year. (photograph: imago)

Will the Bangladesh parliamentary election bring into being a government that will ensure ethnic and religious harmony in the country? This is the poser on the lips of peace-loving sections in Bangladesh and a principal concern of those outside who mean the country well.

The apprehensions are mainly on the part of religious and ethnic minorities. The parliamentary poll of February 12th is expected to bring into existence a government headed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist oriented Jamaat-e-Islami party and this is where the rub is. If these parties win, will it be a case of Bangladesh sliding in the direction of a theocracy or a state where majoritarian chauvinism thrives?

Chief of the Jamaat, Shafiqur Rahman, who was interviewed by sections of the international media recently said that there is no need for minority groups in Bangladesh to have the above fears. He assured, essentially, that the state that will come into being will be equable and inclusive. May it be so, is likely to be the wish of those who cherish a tension-free Bangladesh.

The party that could have posed a challenge to the above parties, the Awami League Party of former Prime Minister Hasina Wased, is out of the running on account of a suspension that was imposed on it by the authorities and the mentioned majoritarian-oriented parties are expected to have it easy at the polls.

A positive that has emerged against the backdrop of the poll is that most ordinary people in Bangladesh, be they Muslim or Hindu, are for communal and religious harmony and it is hoped that this sentiment will strongly prevail, going ahead. Interestingly, most of them were of the view, when interviewed, that it was the politicians who sowed the seeds of discord in the country and this viewpoint is widely shared by publics all over the region in respect of the politicians of their countries.

Some sections of the Jamaat party were of the view that matters with regard to the orientation of governance are best left to the incoming parliament to decide on but such opinions will be cold comfort for minority groups. If the parliamentary majority comes to consist of hard line Islamists, for instance, there is nothing to prevent the country from going in for theocratic governance. Consequently, minority group fears over their safety and protection cannot be prevented from spreading.

Therefore, we come back to the question of just and fair governance and whether Bangladesh’s future rulers could ensure these essential conditions of democratic rule. The latter, it is hoped, will be sufficiently perceptive to ascertain that a Bangladesh rife with religious and ethnic tensions, and therefore unstable, would not be in the interests of Bangladesh and those of the region’s countries.

Unfortunately, politicians region-wide fall for the lure of ethnic, religious and linguistic chauvinism. This happens even in the case of politicians who claim to be democratic in orientation. This fate even befell Bangladesh’s Awami League Party, which claims to be democratic and socialist in general outlook.

We have it on the authority of Taslima Nasrin in her ground-breaking novel, ‘Lajja’, that the Awami Party was not of any substantial help to Bangladesh’s Hindus, for example, when violence was unleashed on them by sections of the majority community. In fact some elements in the Awami Party were found to be siding with the Hindus’ murderous persecutors. Such are the temptations of hard line majoritarianism.

In Sri Lanka’s past numerous have been the occasions when even self-professed Leftists and their parties have conveniently fallen in line with Southern nationalist groups with self-interest in mind. The present NPP government in Sri Lanka has been waxing lyrical about fostering national reconciliation and harmony but it is yet to prove its worthiness on this score in practice. The NPP government remains untested material.

As a first step towards national reconciliation it is hoped that Sri Lanka’s present rulers would learn the Tamil language and address the people of the North and East of the country in Tamil and not Sinhala, which most Tamil-speaking people do not understand. We earnestly await official language reforms which afford to Tamil the dignity it deserves.

An acid test awaits Bangladesh as well on the nation-building front. Not only must all forms of chauvinism be shunned by the incoming rulers but a secular, truly democratic Bangladesh awaits being licked into shape. All identity barriers among people need to be abolished and it is this process that is referred to as nation-building.

On the foreign policy frontier, a task of foremost importance for Bangladesh is the need to build bridges of amity with India. If pragmatism is to rule the roost in foreign policy formulation, Bangladesh would place priority to the overcoming of this challenge. The repatriation to Bangladesh of ex-Prime Minister Hasina could emerge as a steep hurdle to bilateral accord but sagacious diplomacy must be used by Bangladesh to get over the problem.

A reply to N.A. de S. Amaratunga

A response has been penned by N.A. de S. Amaratunga (please see p5 of ‘The Island’ of February 6th) to a previous column by me on ‘ India shaping-up as a Swing State’, published in this newspaper on January 29th , but I remain firmly convinced that India remains a foremost democracy and a Swing State in the making.

If the countries of South Asia are to effectively manage ‘murderous terrorism’, particularly of the separatist kind, then they would do well to adopt to the best of their ability a system of government that provides for power decentralization from the centre to the provinces or periphery, as the case may be. This system has stood India in good stead and ought to prove effective in all other states that have fears of disintegration.

Moreover, power decentralization ensures that all communities within a country enjoy some self-governing rights within an overall unitary governance framework. Such power-sharing is a hallmark of democratic governance.

Features

Celebrating Valentine’s Day …

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love, romance, and affection, and this is how some of our well-known personalities plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day – 14th February:

Merlina Fernando (Singer)

Yes, it’s a special day for lovers all over the world and it’s even more special to me because 14th February is the birthday of my husband Suresh, who’s the lead guitarist of my band Mission.

We have planned to celebrate Valentine’s Day and his Birthday together and it will be a wonderful night as always.

We will be having our fans and close friends, on that night, with their loved ones at Highso – City Max hotel Dubai, from 9.00 pm onwards.

Lorensz Francke (Elvis Tribute Artiste)

On Valentine’s Day I will be performing a live concert at a Wealthy Senior Home for Men and Women, and their families will be attending, as well.

I will be performing live with romantic, iconic love songs and my song list would include ‘Can’t Help falling in Love’, ‘Love Me Tender’, ‘Burning Love’, ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’, ‘The Wonder of You’ and ‘’It’s Now or Never’ to name a few.

To make Valentine’s Day extra special I will give the Home folks red satin scarfs.

Emma Shanaya (Singer)

I plan on spending the day of love with my girls, especially my best friend. I don’t have a romantic Valentine this year but I am thrilled to spend it with the girl that loves me through and through. I’ll be in Colombo and look forward to go to a cute cafe and spend some quality time with my childhood best friend Zulha.

JAYASRI

Emma-and-Maneeka

This Valentine’s Day the band JAYASRI we will be really busy; in the morning we will be landing in Sri Lanka, after our Oman Tour; then in the afternoon we are invited as Chief Guests at our Maris Stella College Sports Meet, Negombo, and late night we will be with LineOne band live in Karandeniya Open Air Down South. Everywhere we will be sharing LOVE with the mass crowds.

Kay Jay (Singer)

I will stay at home and cook a lovely meal for lunch, watch some movies, together with Sanjaya, and, maybe we go out for dinner and have a lovely time. Come to think of it, every day is Valentine’s Day for me with Sanjaya Alles.

Maneka Liyanage (Beauty Tips)

On this special day, I celebrate love by spending meaningful time with the people I cherish. I prepare food with love and share meals together, because food made with love brings hearts closer. I enjoy my leisure time with them — talking, laughing, sharing stories, understanding each other, and creating beautiful memories. My wish for this Valentine’s Day is a world without fighting — a world where we love one another like our own beloved, where we do not hurt others, even through a single word or action. Let us choose kindness, patience, and understanding in everything we do.

Janaka Palapathwala (Singer)

Janaka

Valentine’s Day should not be the only day we speak about love.

From the moment we are born into this world, we seek love, first through the very drop of our mother’s milk, then through the boundless care of our Mother and Father, and the embrace of family.

Love is everywhere. All living beings, even plants, respond in affection when they are loved.

As we grow, we learn to love, and to be loved. One day, that love inspires us to build a new family of our own.

Love has no beginning and no end. It flows through every stage of life, timeless, endless, and eternal.

Natasha Rathnayake (Singer)

We don’t have any special plans for Valentine’s Day. When you’ve been in love with the same person for over 25 years, you realise that love isn’t a performance reserved for one calendar date. My husband and I have never been big on public displays, or grand gestures, on 14th February. Our love is expressed quietly and consistently, in ordinary, uncelebrated moments.

With time, you learn that love isn’t about proving anything to the world or buying into a commercialised idea of romance—flowers that wilt, sweets that spike blood sugar, and gifts that impress briefly but add little real value. In today’s society, marketing often pushes the idea that love is proven by how much money you spend, and that buying things is treated as a sign of commitment.

Real love doesn’t need reminders or price tags. It lives in showing up every day, choosing each other on unromantic days, and nurturing the relationship intentionally and without an audience.

This isn’t a judgment on those who enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day. It’s simply a personal choice.

Melloney Dassanayake (Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2024)

I truly believe it’s beautiful to have a day specially dedicated to love. But, for me, Valentine’s Day goes far beyond romantic love alone. It celebrates every form of love we hold close to our hearts: the love for family, friends, and that one special person who makes life brighter. While 14th February gives us a moment to pause and celebrate, I always remind myself that love should never be limited to just one day. Every single day should feel like Valentine’s Day – constant reminder to the people we love that they are never alone, that they are valued, and that they matter.

I’m incredibly blessed because, for me, every day feels like Valentine’s Day. My special person makes sure of that through the smallest gestures, the quiet moments, and the simple reminders that love lives in the details. He shows me that it’s the little things that count, and that love doesn’t need grand stages to feel extraordinary. This Valentine’s Day, perfection would be something intimate and meaningful: a cozy picnic in our home garden, surrounded by nature, laughter, and warmth, followed by an abstract drawing session where we let our creativity flow freely. To me, that’s what love is – simple, soulful, expressive, and deeply personal. When love is real, every ordinary moment becomes magical.

Noshin De Silva (Actress)

Valentine’s Day is one of my favourite holidays! I love the décor, the hearts everywhere, the pinks and reds, heart-shaped chocolates, and roses all around. But honestly, I believe every day can be Valentine’s Day.

It doesn’t have to be just about romantic love. It’s a chance to celebrate love in all its forms with friends, family, or even by taking a little time for yourself.

Whether you’re spending the day with someone special or enjoying your own company, it’s a reminder to appreciate meaningful connections, show kindness, and lead with love every day.

And yes, I’m fully on theme this year with heart nail art and heart mehendi design!

Wishing everyone a very happy Valentine’s Day, but, remember, love yourself first, and don’t forget to treat yourself.

Sending my love to all of you.

Features

Banana and Aloe Vera

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

To create a powerful, natural, and hydrating beauty mask that soothes inflammation, fights acne, and boosts skin radiance, mix a mashed banana with fresh aloe vera gel.

This nutrient-rich blend acts as an antioxidant-packed anti-ageing treatment that also doubles as a nourishing, shiny hair mask.

* Face Masks for Glowing Skin:

Mix 01 ripe banana with 01 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel and apply this mixture to the face. Massage for a few minutes, leave for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse off for a glowing complexion.

* Acne and Soothing Mask:

Mix 01 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel with 1/2 a mashed banana and 01 teaspoon of honey. Apply this mixture to clean skin to calm inflammation, reduce redness, and hydrate dry, sensitive skin. Leave for 15-20 minutes, and rinse with warm water.

* Hair Treatment for Shine:

Mix 01 fresh ripe banana with 03 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel and 01 teaspoon of honey. Apply from scalp to ends, massage for 10-15 minutes and then let it dry for maximum absorption. Rinse thoroughly with cool water for soft, shiny, and frizz-free hair.