A Doctor's Heart Sutra

She is my kind of superhero! It was somewhere in 2001 when I first met her for real. But before that, I only saw and knew her from her books. She was one of the prominent writers who filled the children's world when there were no television or digital facilities.  Her stories took me on splendid journeys since I was a child, and I am sure she is one of those key creators who planted the creative seed in me. Even though I used to draw, I never studied art as a subject. However, I used to draw on paper and even on the walls of my house. Anurudh Ekanayake, a relative having seen my paintings, urged me to go to a national art gallery with his mom, a painter there. Since then, I have gone to the national art gallery every Saturday to learn to draw.   Even though I was physically there among the other artists who drew various kinds of historical art, my mind always wandered to the kids’ section where all the kids flock around this tiny lady, Sybil Wettasingha, who would narr...

My 2 cents on Thanamalvila Kollek - තණමල්විල කොල්ලෙක් From Thanamalwila to Europe Having heard about this momentous heart stopper drama from many friends, I started watching the missed episodes from youtube and soon became a fan of it. The story line a friend summed up in a few words made me wonder how it can be of any interest as it was about a timid guy from a village called Thanamalwila who ends up in europe. I, myself who had studied and worked in Europe for a considerable time, have met several youth from rural villages of south and north. They all carried a story of their struggles on the path to find comfort in a European country. That struggle was never easy. The word "thanamalvila" at once, brings up its popularity for a plant which everyone knew about but never spoke out in the open. "Thanamalwila kollek" which "happened" for real on television, have made a huge impact on this and silently created a mark for the society to remember th...

An answer to those who want to shed darkness over a healing nation.  a note to say NO to racial divisions !  In July 2018 I saw a poster on face book which said “Dear friends, we are deeply sorry!” I saw many of my friends posting or sharing their view on this poster. An elderly who didn’t agree to this statement on 83 riots, said “ it is easier for your generation to say so because you did not bare scars or memories of it”. He argues, that it is hard to let go of those painful memories. What I have learnt during my years of service in post war areas in north, is that, even though apologizing and forgiving does not erase the pains or thoughts, it will surely decrease the intensity of hurt and the mind would find it easy to reconcile with present. and it will definitely dissolve the silence.  T his is not about the past but the present and the future of a nation which was shattered time to time with ethnic, religious hatred towards one another.  ...

By Shenal Rajakarunanayake She knits unheard stories through the threads of heart-felt words. Her writing conciliates the readers with indispensable love for humanity and emancipates the perennial barriers which are barricading the truth. Her stories are heart wrenching and often make you dewy eyed, yet it never stops your urge to read through. She weaves the reality of the society through her stories with a unique touch of compassion bringing the readers to an astonishment. She cures the scars of 30 years of civil war through her gifted healing therapy while mixing her heart sutra with others. Basically it isn't merely a book which stimulates your mind, yet a road map which drives you all around to see the unseen and address the unaddressed. Truly, "Anith Kona" (The Other End) is a story which unfolds how strangers became family in an unknown environment, undoubtedly everybody must read. Q: Let's begin with "Anith Kona" (The Other End): What made you to w...

UNFDA, launches their web based media plattform ivoice.lk and I was honored to be apart of it as to give my opinion on social media, youth and its use I feel that anyone with the necessary tools can reach out to the community through social media and we have been seeing that it can improve the socio-economic well being of a community. Having said that I feel reluctant to say that its an all good deal, but I guess it all depends on the user it self. If we look at its ability to reach and connect, social media tops the list  it serves as an emergency response tool to form a sort of a highly resourceful communication network during devastating times to mobilize youth and resources. We have seen this during floods, landslides and many incidents and catastrophes that youth with their informative response through social media has formed various kinds of volunteer services and this has helped the community while taking the social services to a greater level  As...

Its the end of another hectic day and I keep on staring at her monitor... which now doesnt make that alarming noise... It is a blessing to help them all, but a curse to feel so much. Tired of getting sick with all the viral outbreaks, probably had them all and i tend to forget that getting sick is also humane. Two down with viral fever from the team.of 6 doctors in paeds wards. I Hear there's going to be an extra allowance to all who work during the dengue crisis. "We didnt even get a risk allowance even when we asked for that doctor" a nursing officer quotes on past issues. yes ! Its an occupational haz ard to be at risk to catch these diseases while treating them. Life is a struggle right now and I carry all burden on my shoulders thinking "this too shall pass like it did before" "If u can sit still for a while i can draw you doctor" he says with a smile...without even asking him to do so...such a talented young kid who copied all the wall pai...

"is there any problem doctor ?" a troubled mothers ask me during ward rounds... "hows are the reports ?(hows my child's blood report) another mom asks me. some even ask me to explain the counts... once in awhile I get a few mothers who are not bothered of whats happening around... and most of them are diagnosed with a psychiatry disorder. Ever clinic day I worry too much about the referrals we get from Mental health institution... these mothers a re inward patients who have post -partum depression or psychosis, some are known patients with psychiatry disorders which have aggravated after child birth. I am stressed and worried about these kids who end up with no proper care or love from their parents. Yes ! all most all of these mothers are single parents who are left after pregnancy by multiple partners. Why cant we have a legal process for these psychiatry patients to have a proper birth control method and follow up ? why cant we mend the laws to l...