My Life - Sajendra

I got my first teaching appointment to a 'HAMLET' in close proximity to Sigirya where I turned a new chapter in my life. At the age of barely 21 and being brought up in a town environment in Gampaha, Sri Lanka it was really a novel experience to me. I saw for the first time how the village folk battle with the raw earth with the mammoty braving the scorching sun to feed the people in the more affluent parts of the island. I felt their pain. Together with my few friends I determined to do something for these people. Even after 21 years they still love me. They warmly welcome us. We lived with them. We did our best for them; their children. But ,I learn, sadly young teachers who are appointed to these villages, with improved facilities, merely work for the pay -sheet and vanish. What will they take with them in future? NOTHING? ..........These sweet memories flash upon in my mind, "when I lie on my couch"

Udawelayagama Vidyalaya -1991


FROM LEFT - JANAKA / ME / WIJITHA / LUXMAN

Most of the classes were held outside under trees due to lack of space. There was one building [80 x 20] for 70 children. There were only 8 teachers for all these children including myself.

We organized the 1st Sports Meet of the school. There was no playground. We held the maiden Sports Meet in the small compound in front of the office. The dilapidated teachers' quarters could be seen in backdrop.

The staff later on. The gentleman at the extreme left corner passed away in November 2012 due to a heart failure. He served the school as a volunteer teacher with the young lady in skirt and blouse at the right corner.

The tube well.

LOL.............NEO MONKEYS!!!

Sports Meet 1996 - The last I participated. My HOUSE.

Preparing for the following day......with my friend NEWIL HEWAGE from MATALE.

Pidurangala - 1992

My improvised bed....My friend ABE had taken this pic. when I was asleep..

A cool bath in the hot sun

A visit to ULUNUGALA.....A historic place in the vicinity to school, situated in the National Park -wasgamuwa.

In the absence of KING KASHYAPA.....1992

At the entrance..

A visit to a chena...we often visited them.

Ulunugala.....a pond, legends say a treasure is hidden here.

A place where a hidden treasure has been removed by the treasure hunters, probably according to elders during the colonial period. The authorities are ignorant about these places..