Artistes speak about their flood-experience

Artistes speak about their flood-experience

We were able to hear about the severe experiences of people who had to undergo disastrous results of Kelani River overflowing during the recent past. It was later reported that among those who underwent such unpleasant conditions were some well-known artistes too. Among them are Geetha Kanthi Jayakody, Rathna Lalani Jayakody, Sampath Tennakoon, Nishani Gamage, Sanath Abeysekera, Samadara Ariyavansha and Kusum Maldeniya. This is how they
described their experiences:

Geetha Kanthi Jayakody

This calamity that happened was something that I never dreamed.  Never from the day I was born our house was submerged. My house is in the area known as Sedawaththa, Kotuwila. That particular day there was severe rain. Slowly and slowly the water began to come inside. Even after a normal rain water used to fill up and then subside slowly. But that day it didn't happen that way. Whatever it is, since we felt some difference we decided to leave the house and go. It is only I and my father who are at home. We thought of leaving home thinking that in case he fell sick. We took no items or goods with us. We came to our Loku Akka's home in Kelaniya. In a short while we came to know that water had invaded our entire home. There was no way to go either. What else to do other than make up the mind. Had only the clothing on the body, the vehicle and the phone only ... truly. It was the Kelani Palama character which happened in real life. Worse than that ... after going home when the water subsided ... by trying to make a noise at home I slipped and fell and broke my left hand. It was as if I fell from the frying pan into the fire.

Rathna Lalani and Sampath Tennakoon

At the time we got the news that water was coming into our house, we were at a wedding. Immediately we  set off home. Even  by that time  water had covered the road. After changing our clothes from a nearby house we went home across the water. What we thought was that water inside the house would go away. But there was  no sign of the water receding other than increasing. I went inside the house and started taking the goods out of the house. In the end when  I went home the last time, the water was upto my neck. Sampath got onto a high  place and then shouted vehemently from there. Then I came out.  The things that I was not able to rescue ... I saw those floating away.  But what to do! We came  to Sriyani Akka's home in Kelaniya with Geetha  akka. Wearing the same saree I wore for the wedding the previous day ... I went to the school that I was teaching. After that I applied for leave. Because of this  problem all our daily activities could not be attended to. It was a strange flood, so to say. The Wennawaththa area where I stay was like a tank. Nobody could imagine whether it was actually the town we lived in earlier. 

By god's grace our lives were not harmed. We'r living with that consolation in our hearts. But to see that those who lived the normal way without hurting anyone are now living like orphans is indeed saddening.  

Nishani Gamage

I can't tell the extent of  damage I suffered from this flood. The house I lived in Kotikawaththa was entirely immersed in water. A column of water reaching upto 15 feet enveloped the house. Only the roof was to be seen. Fortunately I wasn't at home that day. But everything  that I earned so far by acting ..... just drifted away by this flood. Nothing was left. I feel a strange sense of sorrow. A lot of friends spoke to me... and it'll take quite a long time for me to come to my former state. 

A number of places in the Wellampitiya New Town suffered  damaged  from the flood. Even our home came under water and it was with the support of the Navy  that we came ashore ... so to say. For my luck I was able to protect my cinematographic equipment. Still the vehicle of course is there. Now must  go and see what the situation is. So far I was at my cousin's home in Panadura. 

Samadara Ariyavansha 

All roads covering Wanawasala, Kelaniya were covered by water. Fortunately, water didn't flood our house .... but there wasn't any way in which we were able to go out from the house and go somewhere. So we stayed at home.  

Kusum Maldeniya

My house is in Kotikawaththa. Water came some feet upto our house. We were saved only by a boat that came along. Everything which I earned went in the waters. But what to do. We anyway got aid. But I rejected them.