Hospital where Rukmani was born now in shambles

A side view of the hospital 

A section of the hospital building

The Governor walking on the road leading to the hospital

The Late Herbert M. Senevirtne, who was living opposite my home at Thimbirigasyaya, was a script writer and lyricist. He was a close associate of Rukmani Devi. According to him Rukmani Devi was born in Nuwara Eliya. It is said that Rukman Devi was born at Perratasi Plantation Hospital in Kotmale; an institute which has been closed for eleven or more long years despite having all the equipment needed intact. This facility was abandoned for reasons unknown.

The hospital lies in the Plantation sector. It was built for plantation workers by the British.

The Health authorities of Nuwara Eliya district have not visited this hospital for eleven or more years as suggested by these photographs accompanying this article. No one visited the hospital until the government took the initiative. 

The nearest hospital for these plantation workers is at Ramboda. When there is an emergency monies are raised through a hat collection. 

The Governor made a recent visit to the hospital with his staff and saw for himself the appalling conditions of this facility. He was surprised to know that not one medic from the Nuwara Eliya Directorate of Health Service had visited the hospital. It was revealed that Rukmani Devi was born at this hospital. The name given to her initially was Daisy Rasammah Daniel. The father of the child was a plantation worker and her mother was Helen Rose a Teacher in the school of Perratasi.

This hospital is situated in the village of Perratasi, in the Kotmale District. Someone would have pilfered her birth certificate due to the value it holds. There is no bus service in the area but the road in the area can be used. The surrounding vicinity serves as tourist attractions.

Rukmani Devi was born as the second daughter of this family. When he went to Colombo Rukmani Devi entered Claire’s school where she received an opportunity to act in a Christmas school play titled ‘Fisherman’s wife’. Her acting career commenced there and she went on to act in around 100 films and also many stage plays. When she was travelling from Yudella, Matara after an acting session she was involved in a motorcar accident. 
After seeing her school play she was enlisted into the Minerva Dramatic Club of B.A W. Jayamanne. She was also a member of the Calypso Group named Los Caballeros. 

On October 28, 1990, the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa named a Road in Negombo as Rukmani Devi  Mawatha. A statue was erected at Kannuwa Junction. After her death she was bestowed with the ‘ Sarasavi Rana 
Tisara’ Award.