The village of Bowatta in Welikanda, Polonnaruwa, is a settlement established under the Mahaweli Development Program. P. Manikkhami and her husband moved to Bowatta in 1986 and built a successful life through paddy farming. The couple had two sons, and a nephew also lived with them.
In 1995, Manikkhami had to travel to Anuradhapura to attend a funeral ceremony. Before leaving, she cautioned her husband and children not to leave the house, as Bowatta had already come under the influence of militant groups.
Upon returning from the funeral, she learned on the way that Bowatta had been attacked by militants. Rushing straight to the cemetery, she found her husband, two sons, and nephew among those who had been prepared for burial. The attack had claimed the lives of individuals from about 30 families in the village.
This unexpected tragedy left Manikkhami’s life in complete disarray. With no other recourse, she was forced to take up labourer jobs to survive. Having no close relatives in the area, she was unable to cultivate her share of farmland. Eventually, she leased the land to another person and subsisted on the share of the paddy harvest she received. This remains her only source of income today.
Manikkhami noted that she does not face any harassment or trouble from her neighbours, who support her in any way they can. While some individuals in the area gossip about her, she says these rumours do not bother her as she leads a respectable life.
- Christy Shelton Fernando
