To Hambantota & Back: Retracing the roots (Part II)

Morning dew drops gleamed in the morning sun on a glorious Saturday morning. Birds were trying their best to out do each other; singing many notes and pitching them to great lengths. Rays of the sun spread far and wide throughout the countryside. The rays pierced my skin and spread all over my body, while the cool morning breeze wrapped itself on me like a blanket. The fresh air revitalises your spirits, and these are the stuff a wonderful morning is made of. I wish mornings such as this would be there forever.

Itinerary for Saturday included a visit to Kirinda- the only Malay village in the island, inhabitants all of whom use Malay in their day to day activities. It is located north-west of Hambantota needing an hours drive. Being a coastal village, Kirinda is very much exposed to the sea, and to any manner of austerity it has to offer. The sand dunes in the beach are a reminder of the tsunami’s immense power that stands at 20 ft high. Such a force was unleashed at this small village even bringing ashore a dredging machine having been constructed of pure steel.

An eye witness narrated the fateful day in which he witnessed waves about 40 ft high. The waves black as night were making for land, while the waves were creating an effect similar to that of rolling a mat. He knew that this kind of a situation would be impossible to swim out of, thus ran for his life. As the waves reached land, it hit hard with all its force and receded back to the sea. After the waves had gone, his house and those belonging to a few others had been taken away to sea not leaving behind any trace.

The village school had been developed from foreign aid. I remember earlier that it was only two separate buildings of single storeys. Now, they had given way to four gigantic buildings each comprising 3 storeys. Unfortunately, the pass rate from O/Levels is very poor- only 25 percent. Those who pass out must travel Hambantota in order to pursue A/Levels due to insufficient facilities at the school here. I wish there is something that I could do to make things alright, but reality made me realise otherwise.

Lunch, if I were to say in my own words, would be ‘mind blowing.’ Fresh catch from the sea along with a variety of other vegetables made a hearty meal, and not to mention the mango chutney. I even took seconds of rice, which I seldom do nowadays. These foods are devoid of pesticides and other chemicals used for cultivation. Desert was curd with honey. I must say what a life!!

Later, we climbed a temple on a huge rock, which happens to be the highest point in Kirinda. Steps to the top have been carved into the rock, and are very steep needing the help of a railing to avoid falling. The temple provides a stage that opens up to the vast expansion of sea. Sitting on top of a rock, one could view the endless sea for hours shimmering in the sun’s rays. Beyond the shore, an off shore lighthouse could be seen as a while speck on a blue canvas. By God, this is truly paradise, and I’m glad of my visit to this beautiful place.