Ex-combatants under rehabilitation call for peace

• those who require further rehabilitative care are stationed at Mihindu Seth Medura in Attidiya
• pain management itself is a challenge
• Those who have been rehabilitated to the maximum are sent to Abimansala or to Mihindu Seth Medura
• They face all challenges positively

The bloodied past of the thirty-year long conflict keeps reflecting in their memories. Having lived the greater part of their lives on battlefields, engaging in what were termed as ‘humanitarian operations’ against deafening noises emanating from blasting mortars, claymore bombs and the frequent gunshots, the physical and psychological trauma were part and parcel of their lives.While many of them succumbed to injuries, another section of this generation who require special assistance to do their day-to-day work are being well looked after. Although many of them initially sought treatment at Ranaviru Sevana based in Ragama, at present those who require further rehabilitative care are stationed at Mihindu Seth Medura in Attidiya.

A walk around Mihindu Seth Medura

Mihindu Seth Medura(MSM) is home to 42 war heroes; some who are recovering and a few who are bed-ridden and require the assistance of a caretaker. Spanning an area of 35 acres, the Healing Centre is located amidst a serene environment in the heart of Attidiya. Several facilities are also in place, including a swimming pool to ensure a maximum healing experience for the wounded heroes.

The walls of MSM are adorned with Mystery Paintings or Mayachitra, a form of art therapy conducted on the ex-combatants where they breathe in and out while scribbling. Then they tilt the drawing boards and erase excess lines until they get a desired shape. 

During a recent visit to MSM the Daily Mirror spoke to a few ex-combatants, who shared their personal stories with us.

When I saw that my friends were injured we were determined to end the war. Apart from the bloodshed we had fun as well

Pushpakumara

“Stop paving the way for another war”

“When I was sent to the MavilAru operation I had a fear,” recalled Authorized Officer Pushpakumara of 11th Gemunu Seva Regiment. “When I saw that my friends were injured we were determined to end the war. Apart from the bloodshed we had fun as well. In Mullaitivu we had to take control over a lake bund and I fell victim to a claymore bomb in 2008. I’m still recovering, but we are well taken care of. The staff tries to keep us mentally fit. A country doesn’t need a war, but people are trying to create conflicts. We urge these groups to stop paving the way for another war.”

“War destroys everything”

Sergeant Ranjith Karunathilake from Randenigala has served in the 9th Sinha Regiment. “After O/Ls I joined the Army in 1998. I got caught to a blast in Jaffna and was unconscious for three years. I was partially paralyzed as well. I do physiotherapy, but it’s difficult to do other work. The war destroys everything and no country needs a war. 

After O/Ls I joined the Army in 1998. I got caught to a blast in Jaffna and was unconscious for three years

Ranjith Karunathilaka

“We sacrificed our youth to save the country”

In Lance Corporal Thilak Kumara’s case it was a friend who had suggested that he should join the Army. Hailing from Neluwa, Galle he joined the Army back in 2008. “My friend helped me with the documentation and thereafter I became an officer. I was injured in 2009. After 16 days I regained consciousness. By 2010 I was recovering, but because there’s water accumulating in the brain I used to tilt my head. Now I’ve recovered. I used to learn computer. A war puts an end to the future generations. There have been instances when those who shared the same lunch were shot dead the next instance they went to wash their hands. It’s difficult to bear all the trauma. We sacrificed our youth to save the country.”
Having fallen victim to mortar and claymore attacks, many of them are recovering. They find it difficult to remember past events due to head injuries. Some are given speech therapy and much is being done to strengthen their psychological wellbeing.

“They still have a soldier’s discipline in their blood” : Lt. Col. Karunaratne

They are being re-skilled and Lt. Colonel Upendra Karunaratne believes it to be a challenge. “Many of them are unaware of the fact that time has progressed since they got injured. Some are in a vegetative state, running on machines. Some have lost eyesight and hearing and can only recognise another person through touch. Many of them are single and rather than the physical pain, their unseen psychological trauma is beyond description. So when we talk and work with them we have to make sure that they don’t get hurt. With all these injuries they still have a soldier’s discipline in their blood.”

There have been instances when those who shared the same lunch were shot dead the next instance they went to wash their hands

Thilak Kumara

“They have lived in pain ever since” : Major Lekamge

For Major Dr. Anurudhdha Lekamge, Head of the medical wing at Mihindu Seth Medura pain management itself is a challenge.Having graduated from Peradeniya University, he had joined the Army in 2007 as per the requirement. Major Lekamge has experience attending to casualties even on the battlefield. “We need to concentrate on each individual. We have to identify their special needs which could be medical or non medical. They have an immediate contact with me. Their immediate resource is the bystander and for that we get untrained personnel and train them.They have lived in pain ever since the war concluded. For some it has become part of their lives, some have accepted it and some are fighting it. Therefore, behavioural therapy and psychological support are important. They are in their limits to be controlled by drugs. For this we are doing routine investigations by sending them for scans, checking multi organ functions whether they are deteriorating etc. Therefore pain management itself is a challenge. They don’t have fresh injuries and as such we need to have a multidisciplinary support. We also go in for medical interventions as well. Dietary requirements also differ from case to case. For some their bowel habits have changed, others have diabetes, high blood pressure etc. We get advice from dietitians at the Army hospital and decide on the menus,” said Dr.Lekamge. 

A visit to Ranaviru Sevana

Established in 1990, Ranaviru Sevana based in Ragama was the main rehabilitation centre of the Sri Lanka Army prior to constructing Mihindu Seth Medura in 2011. Apart from the wards for residential soldiers seeking treatment, it also includes a gymnasium, swimming pool, therapy units and a prosthetics workshop as well.