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Living home alone

10 May 2013 03:08 pm - 50     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Two brothers who were found to be living all by themselves in a house in Badulla are seen preparing their meal when the officers from the Badulla Police Women and Children’s Bureau took them into their custody. Inset: Brothers were going for School. Pix by Prasad Rukmal






Two brothers aged nine and six, who were found to be living by all by themselves in a house at Wineethagama in Viyadiguna were taken into custodial care by the Badulla Police Women and Children’s Bureau.

Their father had deserted them some time ago while their mother who was employed at the Colombo National Hospital is said to visit them occasionally to provide them with a few provisions before going back to work.

They are students of the Viyadiguna School in Wineethagama.

According to investigations, the nine-year-old wakes up early in morning to light up the hearth and prepare meals for the two of them. He is also known to wash and clean up the younger brother before going to school together.

This was confirmed by Viyadiguna School Principal the Ven. Dhammarathana Thera. He said they are in school by 7.00 a.m.  Their neighbours are also known to help them out whenever necessary.

Police said their eldest brother aged 12 and a 6-year-old sister are living in Badulupitiya with their grandmother.

The Badulla Women’s Bureau took these two children under their care after being informed of their plight by a school teacher. The Women’s Bureau OIC Nadeeka Peiris, Badulla Probation Officer Padmasiri Yapa and the police officers who visited the house said the children appeared to be destitute and found the remnants of their meals prepared overnight in some clay pots.

The Ven. Dhammarathana Thera said the children’s mother had on several occasions applied for a transfer to the Badulla Hospital, but the authorities had ignored her request. The police said the children would be produced in courts before being sent for probationary care.

Further investigations are continuing under Badulla acting HQI Jayantha De Silva



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  Comments - 50

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  • Burampi Aathaa Saturday, 11 May 2013 03:18 AM

    Let us create a bank account on their behalf.

    indralatha Friday, 10 May 2013 08:43 PM

    Tell Namal, prince of Srilanka and he will give an lambo

    Damith Friday, 10 May 2013 08:57 PM

    MR Pl. ATTEND TO THIS

    Boss Saturday, 11 May 2013 12:00 AM

    Brother Nimal mom might be raising money by working....cannot blame the mom but the society for not helping them,to transfer the mom..I respect these kids via DM Android App

    Thusi Friday, 10 May 2013 10:09 PM

    I pray that our authorities handle this carefully without sacring these two lovely kids
    Our guys are not trained to handle emotional aspects
    Hope things will be better very soon for them

    ANTON Saturday, 11 May 2013 12:14 AM

    MOST SADDEST SCENE I HAVE EVER SEEN, LET US KNOW HOW TO CONTRIBUTE ANY FINANCIAL AID.

    meranchi Saturday, 11 May 2013 12:46 AM

    nimal that is ok but without money who taking care of them cruel health ministry did not give transfer to poor lady she don't have any alternation did you take care her with two children ....?

    Chan Saturday, 11 May 2013 01:06 AM

    Please let us know how we can help these children. The mother should be given a transfer immediately.

    Dinesh Saturday, 11 May 2013 01:37 AM

    Yes, you can help by voting for the right people to administer this country....

    arosh Saturday, 11 May 2013 02:25 AM

    you too

    ANTON Saturday, 11 May 2013 02:56 AM

    THIS REMINDS ME THE SONG "I AM NO BODY'S CHILD" , BRINGS A TEAR TO ANY HUMAN EYE

    Fauzy Saturday, 11 May 2013 03:01 AM

    Great Brothers May god bless them :) Please someone after reading this article try to help their mother for the transfer ...

    Kasthuri Saturday, 11 May 2013 03:13 AM

    Exactly, That's the best thing to do. Why the authorities need to cripple their normal life by mixing them with some other children. That will effect them psychologically.

    David Friday, 10 May 2013 08:36 PM

    Ok I did cried. As a father I couldn't bare it.

    OBSERVER Saturday, 11 May 2013 03:32 AM

    Look at the first photo. The small child seems to be wearing the banian the other way. But still appreciate that he does his work on his own..

    Kuhan Saturday, 11 May 2013 04:52 AM

    Mr.can give immediate order for mother's transfer, these are the most important things to do.,, not attend the functions and meeting.....

    Ando Saturday, 11 May 2013 04:57 AM

    What... !!??

    Janaka Saturday, 11 May 2013 07:10 AM

    Authorities should transfer the mother and re unite the family with immediate effect, thanks to those who took the time and highlighted the issue. Proud of these boys, they will become good responsible Citizens.

    Fair N Square Saturday, 11 May 2013 07:41 AM

    Me too. I just teared.. Get hold of the father and make him pay for his ACTIONS... These kids did NOT ask to be born, the parents wanted them.

    Shameless father need to be made to care for his OWN. He cannot simply throw the kids away.. like that.. For all right to happen.. people need to be educated.. religiously and humanely...

    I remember a wall hanging I bout some years back...

    It read..: ANY MAN CAN BE A FATHER, BUT IT TAKES SOMEONE SPECIAL TO BE A DAD..... yes I bought it in SL and took it away to USA, some friends saw it and admired it...

    Fair N Square Saturday, 11 May 2013 07:45 AM

    I partly agree.. a brothers love has to be celebrated... but Buddhism too came from India..so How can SL be a BUDDHIST country...? I heard MR say that SL is a multi ethnic and multi cultural country..

    DO NOT BRING religion into all facets of life...

    Fair N Square Saturday, 11 May 2013 07:53 AM

    I raise my hats for the mother, she too could have chosen to abandon them like the father.. She did NOT.. she is doing a great thing by at least visiting them with provisions... I am amazed and awed that her fellow employees could not get together and do something... This is WORTH " Striking:" for ... No matter what is said and done DO NOT split the 2 brothers, I as a parent I would not want that to happen.. The love they had for each other and how they cared for one another is divine.. do not let some artificial " love of the women and child services " split them apart... Someone start a fund and I believe all those who read this will be part of the donating force...and might even influence the friends to help pitch in...

    Fair N Square Saturday, 11 May 2013 07:56 AM

    LOL.. I like how u ordered MR And in CAPS..

    Fair N Square Saturday, 11 May 2013 08:02 AM

    Applaud the TEACHER who told a police officer.. The Principal seem to have done nothing about it... NO I am not a racist just coz he is a Buddhist monk...IF the TEACHER did not tell the police officer.. this would not have hit the news papers for US to now about it...

    jena Saturday, 11 May 2013 08:21 AM

    very true

    JingyB Saturday, 11 May 2013 12:42 PM

    not two, she's having four... two daughters living with their grandmother.

    anderson Friday, 10 May 2013 04:14 PM

    Come on the daily mirror start a press campaign to raise funds for these kids...I will donate...
    DO not let the authorities traumatise these poor kids or allow the two brothers to be separated. It will be extremely cruel.
    Please please keep them both together....

    David Friday, 10 May 2013 03:25 PM

    I'm heartbroken and almost cried. He is a great brother.

    Dammika Friday, 10 May 2013 03:32 PM

    Its common ... known fact. She is poor no political influence to receive a transfer as she wish. Political influence is more powerful than the humanity in the society of Sri Lanka (forget other countries). If someone says anyone says no ... then that person or persons are day dreaming

    Prof. Calculas Friday, 10 May 2013 03:30 PM

    I hope the two boys will do well. The man who owned the worlds wealthiest company had meals are the Hari Krisna Misson as he have no money to eat.

    Saranga Walimuni Friday, 10 May 2013 03:37 PM

    Awesome kids, I am also sad, but people in SL should learn from this, specially those in JVP student union

    dalubanda Friday, 10 May 2013 03:40 PM

    where are the big ministers from Badulla to give the poor lady a transfer?

    sahdi Friday, 10 May 2013 03:41 PM

    great brothers

    Foxen Friday, 10 May 2013 03:39 PM

    Hope they will be sent to a good and caring home. I will pray for them.

    varuna Friday, 10 May 2013 03:43 PM

    me too, being a father i cant imagine how can parents treat their kids like this............

    ozzie Friday, 10 May 2013 03:45 PM

    my heart breaks man...how can I help?

    varuna Friday, 10 May 2013 03:46 PM

    me too, being a father i can imagine how can parents treat their children like this......................

    ahamed Friday, 10 May 2013 03:47 PM

    please do not produce them to court! and Court has to issue an order to relevant authority to approve the transfer

    anderson Friday, 10 May 2013 04:08 PM

    please give details where donations can be sent for the 2 kids. better still start a campaign to raise money and find a good home for these amazing kinds.

    A brothers love must be celebrated in a Buddhist country...
    Such amazing compassion...

    Patriot Friday, 10 May 2013 03:23 PM

    Dont we have any human feeling in us to give the lady a trasnfer to Badulla.

    Prof. Calculas Friday, 10 May 2013 04:21 PM

    They are two great boys The help each other and also look so happy. I love the tie the elder boy is wearing. I hope I will someday meet them in person as a CEO of a company.

    Nimal Friday, 10 May 2013 04:26 PM

    How stupid is their mother......whatever poor or difficult life, before your job, as a mother you are only one important to these kids now how can you work after leaving your own kids alone ? She only visit home occasionally ??? you shouldn't work at hospital but should be admitted

    Grace Friday, 10 May 2013 05:27 PM

    I request the Ven.Thera to start a fund for the kids.

    dave Friday, 10 May 2013 05:37 PM

    How stupid this Nimal guy. The mother is not begging . She is working hard to earn a living and support her four children. Only place she found work is in Colombo. She has had no political back up to get a transfer. We all must admire this lady as well as the little brother .Daily Mirror should organise a fund for them

    Yes it is disgraceful that police wants to produce them in courts so this brother might think he has done some crime by looking after his brother best way he could. Instead of taking him to police bloody Minster should come to their house and give them money and mum should be transfer to Badulla hospital straight a way
    Dave
    London

    David Friday, 10 May 2013 05:52 PM

    Yet the same person once he became rich declined to give money to charity, even to the Hari Krishna temple who fed him free. He said it's "Free Money". Steve Jobs is a genius in marketing but he he a Jerk morally.

    David Friday, 10 May 2013 05:56 PM

    Agreed, but imagine if she did quit the job, then everyone would be in a worst position.

    Saman - Oman Friday, 10 May 2013 05:57 PM

    It is a shame for the authorities to suggest the courts to send them to a probationary care. The best thing is for the courts to instruct the Health Ministry, to grant the mother's reasonable and justifiable request for a transfer to Badulla hospital. Why can't it be done, and let the children grow up under the protection of the mother? Under the probationary care, these two would be sent to some children's home, where they would suffer (physically and mentally) a lot. Hope this will receive the prompt attention of the Minister of Health, whom I believe a reasonable and kind hearted person.

    Mifras Friday, 10 May 2013 06:14 PM

    I can say Poor government; Difficult to blame that Innocent mother.

    Sam Friday, 10 May 2013 06:16 PM

    You can judge them sitting where you are ... but may not know the exact circumstances. At least her job has prevented them from starving to death. Why can't the authorities give her a transfer on humanitarian grounds in this so called "Dharmadveepa"

    David Friday, 10 May 2013 07:50 PM

    He is a great brother and a great son that any parent will dream to have.

    (Sorry I forgot to admire him as a son in my earlier post.)

    saradiyal Friday, 10 May 2013 07:56 PM

    Great brotherhood..! this is the life story of many Sri Lankans, hardship, courage...! whilst politicians have a merry good time..!


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