Sajith’s story: A doctor’s love for farming, poetry, music and teaching

Sajith at a singing session

Sajith’s doctorate in traditional medicine

Sajith healing a patient using traditional medicinal methods

Sajith (extreme right) conducting a Sinhala class at his village community centre which is named ‘Sama Mukthi Freedom Gall

In Alabodagama village situated in Horawadunna, Pannala, lives a remarkable man named Sajith. He possesses many skills and at his present age of 39, he has already accomplished many goals among which being a traditional medical practitioner, farmer, teacher, musician and poet standout. Sinhala traditionalist might say that he would have been a person to be revered if Sajith had donned the saffron robes and worked as a labourer later in life and completed the five roles; sangha (priest), weda (doctor), guru (teacher), govi (Farmer) and kamkaru (labourer) which make up the phrase ‘pancha maha bala vegaya (The force of the five great powers). 

His home is now converted into a village community centre and is named ‘Sama Mukthi Freedom Gallery’. “Vega ayya, an accomplished artist who lived in this village some time ago gave me this idea. We established this community centre two years ago” is how Sajith began his remarkable life story. Apart from folks in his village, there have been foreigners who have visited this community centre and chipped in with contributions. He takes this opportunity to thank individuals like Lave, Russ, Gaary and Zhoo for the help extended to his community centre. 

When he says ‘we’, sajith is very specific that there was no founder with regard to the community centre. “It was a collective efforts and all ideas were pooled in. We cater to the villagers needs for education, art, therapy, music, medicine and also provide them with wheat from the field,” he said.
Saith’s full name is Weerakkody Rajage Sajith Mahendra Vijithasiri. He was 10 years old when he father died and had to grow up with his mother and sister. He was initially educated at Alabodagama Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya and completed his Advanced Level Examination at Giriulla Wickremasheela National School. He received his doctorate in medicine from Thalagapatha Saradharma Keerthi Traditional Medicine School (Certification is produced in this article). 
In the mornings, Sajith is involved in his paddy field. In the evenings he washes off the mud in his body and sits down with the village children to supervise their education. Sajith’s specialty is teaching Sinhala to students preparing for the GCE O’ Level and A’ Level Examinations. Those who visit the community centre to study can also read up and enhance their knowledge by using a library which is well-stocked with about 1000 books, written in Sinhala and English. When all sounds fall silent after dusk, he sits at his desk to write down his poems. By the way he is in the process of launching his first book of poems. It is these poems which are spiced with sounds and turned into music. The two people taking the lead in this endeavour are his friends Basho (Vega’s son) and Dinelka. They have their music band called ‘Bilala’. This music group has played in some locations in the island and received decent reviews. On Poya days, the community centre organises an evening titled ‘tea, coffee and poetry evening’ which is much looked forward to. 
But from a larger perspective, Sajith is a wheat farmer. His receives the services of the village community to harvest his land. “Much of the income from wheat sales is used to maintain the gallery and pay for water and electricity. The other potion of the wheat that is produced is distributed among members of the community” he said. There are about 25 active members in his community.
Much of his day is spent toiling with earth at the field. He says that he cannot cultivate his field using organic fertilizer due to the location of his agriculture plot. He said that he spends time experimenting with new wheat seeds and has been successful. There are occasions when cooking secessions are organised at his community centre where children are involved in getting a firsthand experience at cooking healthy food. When you look at Sajith he is an epitome of a healthy person. He is thin, but has muscle tone in areas of his body which engage in work when in the paddy field. Those who know him say that his healing hands work wonders when they got to him for treatment. Sajith specializes in treating patients who suffer from arthritis and ailments in their spines. 
He spoke to me for hours over the phone and related his life story in the form of an interview. And when both of us had nothing to say, he excused himself and the reason he gave was “A student has come for the Sinhala class and I must give him the time that I promised him”. 
Alabodagama must be smelling nice due to the fragrance of the wheat that has been harvested and the presence of people like Sajith, who are selflessly available when needed by the needy.