Unravel Jaffna, hidden heart of Sri Lanka's tourism

“She is the re-incarnation of Alle Rani, a queen which reigned in this area,” quips Prof. Somasundaram showing me some historical photographs.

- BY SURYA VISHWA

“Renuka is a born leader and is the voice for the women in this area, just as Alle Rani was,” he adds.

Renuka greets me at 3 a.m. last Friday (shortly after the CTB brings me to Jaffna). Krishna, the handsome Allepedy-Thapovanam auto hero, 6 feet plus, collects me from the town and deploys me here safely.

Prof. Somasundaram lives in a minimalistic, miniscule two-storied building (with a rooftop that can double as a sea watching tower). It is right next to the sea. The building could be described as a 'Mother power Ashram' as it is dedicated to Goddess Kali but the building also has framed photographs of Christ, Krishna and Shiva.

Renuka Nikson, a Catholic has joyous news for me. She has a latest addition to the family - seven-month-old baby Naveen, and she has won the Local Government election as representative of the area. We are leaving party politics out, thus omitting the political 'brand.' What matters is that we are writing about a genuine leader from the grass root.

"Tomorrow I have a meeting in Jaffna town where the main person from the political party which I contested from will be there to talk to all of us who won, asking about people's problems. Problem this, Problem that. We have only problems and everyone only talks. I want to do things, not talk. But kassi ille (no cash). These days the seas are rough so Mr. Nikson - my husband at home so no money from the seas. These days it is sea cucumber which is farmed in the seas. For the Chinese market," she explains.

How much does she get in terms of monetary remuneration from the local government as a people's representative? Rs. 10,000.

"Every morning she goes into stress mode because she borrows almost daily to survive and those who loan the money come diligently to collect," quips Prof. Somasundaram.