WHAT'S ON MY PLATE

This week, I thought I'd take a break from the usual flow of my column and focus on something far more pressing.

- By Yasara Abeynayake

On 28 November, Sri Lanka was hit by a devastating cyclone that caused extensive damage to the area I live in.I was born and raised in Colombo and moved to Kandy after my marriage ten years ago. Over the years, I've had the chance to meet and connect with many Kandyan's, and I've grown very fond of them.

Kandy, being the second largest city in Sri Lanka, is home to some of the purest Sri Lankan souls. I've felt a distinct difference in the character of people here compared to Colombo. While Kandy is developing rapidly, its residents remain deeply traditional, kind, warm, laid-back, and genuine. Whenever I visit Colombo, I notice how rushed and impatient people can be, which makes it easy to appreciate the warmth and simplicity of life in Kandy.

I live on the outskirts of Kandy city, just a few minutes walk from the beautiful Mahaweli River. I often took my children for evening walks along the river, where the water level was usually low enough for them to play safely on the rocks. But when the rains began, the water rose to unprecedented levels. Soon, the riverbanks were submerged, and water spilled onto the roads, causing minor flooding.

The villagers were shocked. Many stepped out of their homes in disbelief, having never witnessed the river overflowing before. As the rains continued, roads were completely submerged, and the water reached the surrounding paddy fields. We could hardly believe our eyes as the Mahaweli overflowed, covering roads and paddy fields, making our home situated on slightly elevated ground feel like a small island.