BEAUTY OF INNOCENCE

Periyavar perceived that Bernard explained almost all details about the places that would go underwater because of the reservoir, not because he wanted to educate Nandana Menike on that, but more to reduce the distress that haunted in his world. Periyavar was well aware of his master's properties, lands, businesses; almost everything would be at risk owing to the construction of the reservoir. Even the cancellation of his foreign tour at the last moment was also a result of his property matter, as he had to pay more attention to the valuation process than fulfilling his obligations to his wife and others in his family. Finally, neither a reasonable compensation nor his wife could he find.

"Nanda… have you been to Bambaragala temple…?"

Stopping the vehicle at the Bambaragala junction, he asked.

"Only once with grandma… the day before the examination…"

She reflected how she came with her grandma to attend a Bodhi Pooja to get blessings for her O/L (Ordinary Level) exam.

"Periyavar, have you heard of the original name of this village…?"

He shook his head and also used his hand signal to say 'no'.

"Nanda what about you…?"

"Bambaragala…" was the answer given by her.

"Bambaragala is the name of the temple… The name of this village is 'Wawegama'…"

Nandana Menike didn't know that the village was called Wawegama.

Bernard explained how that name had been given to that village referring to some historical evidence, for which both Periyavar and Nandana Menike looked at each other raising their eye brows in surprise.

Long time ago, it was said through a legend that there had been a tank, and he village had been surrounded by a rocky ridge. Bernard pointed out some ruins scattered here and there in the temple premises as evidence.

Later on, it was said that the tank had disappeared due to some unknown reasons and the fertile Dumbara valley had appeared. That was the place where the Victoriya Reservoir would be built under the Accelerated Mahaweli Development Project. That was the brief summary of the historical background given by Bernard, like an Archeology lecturer.

"The last Sinhala king is said to have hidden in this Bambaragala temple..."

Bernard stared at the square shaped Bambaragala Mountain, which protruded distinctly above the other mountains and remembered the relationship between nature and mankind.

"It is mentioned that at the eighteenth insurgency, our rebels had hidden inside the caves of that mountain…" Nandana Menike could recall a history lesson she had studied at the school.

"Hmmm… I too have heard of it… yes… the other side of the mountain slope… Can you remember the thick jungle we passed on our way back…? It is believed that there are about four hundred to five hundred caves in it… In those caves… our Sinhala soldiers are said to have hidden …"

Bernard added approving what Nandana Menike said.

"Aha… then the white people could have combed the jungle and captured our soldiers…" Periyavar opened his mouth with a desperate look.

"No… no… the white people were scared of serpents in the jungle… so they didn't go into the jungle… The chief incumbent of Asgiriiya Temple Rev. Rathanajothi Thero is reported to have hidden the Tooth Relic for a few days in one of those caves, in order to protect it from the invaders…"

Bernard next proceeded to his tobacco processing center, which was located at the end of the Kudadeniya village. He met some of his employees and explained the impending circumstances and said 'good bye' to them unwillingly. There were some families who were supposed to move to Ulhitiya during the first phase of resettlement.

The Hulu River, which was the main branch of the Mahaweli River, was flowing across the Theldeniya town. As a result, the town had been divided into two. Both sides were connected by a steel bridge, which rested on stone pillars. Since it was a narrow bridge, two couldn't walk abreast on that. Though it was small, it added much beauty to Theldeniya town. One could see a panoramic view being on the bridge. The water of the Hulu River was unquestionably pure and clean. If one looked through the surface level, the river bed could clearly be seen. The Hulu River, which glided from the upper part of the Dumbara mountain range, fulfilled the water requirements of all the families lived in that area.

Bernard planned to summon his employees – the tobacco cultivators, to his office with an idea of providing some financial assistance before they moved to Ulhitiya new settlements. He exhibited his sense of gratitude by providing them with more than what they expected. Bernard pretty well realized that those people had to undergo a lot of hardships at the initial stage of their resettlement, as Ulhitiya was relatively a very dry area with least facilities.

"Sir, you always looked after us very well… who will be there for us hereafter…? Thanks god… we lived freely doing our craft… but now we can't say how much we are going to suffer…" One of the adults addressed the gathering with tearful eyes.

"The government will help you till you cultivate your lands and reap the harvest. An office is established in each and every village by Mahaweli Authority to see to your matters…"

Bernard kept them informed of what he had gathered from a project officer there.

"Hamu… offices are kept open… That's true… but how can we live in this futile soil: no electricity, no water. There are new roads, but can't use them… full of dust…" A middle-aged employee grumbled highlighting the difficulties they had encountered already.

Bernard convinced them with an assurance that Mahaweli Authority would see to those basic needs quite methodically step by step. He pledged that he would do his best to get all the facilities through the proper channels.

Nandana Menike and Periyavar felt rather bored as they had nothing to do other than listening to them, which brought no sense to them at all. So, they decided to go out of the office getting permission from Bernard.

"Uncle… Kapilasena uncle has also finished building up his house in Medagama by now… He will settle down there, I suppose…, once the house we lived, goes underwear…"

Periyavar answered with a smile showing his betel stained teeth.

"Our mother had no consent to go there…"

"When we locate her, she can come with us and stay at the bungalow…" said Periyavar with a firm look.

"Once the bungalow is submerged, where can we stay uncle…?"

Nandana Menike was trying to find out a solution to the issue.

"Hamu's idea is to buy a tea estate from Rangala area… He has already informed many brokers to look for one…"

"Tea estate…? Then, what about the tobacco industry…?"

Nandana Menike was inquiring about the tobacco industry as it was the main source of income Bernard had.

"He will continue that also… but the problem is most of the tobacco lands would go underwater…

Both Karandawela and Aluthwela farms would be submerged… I think you don't know this…; Raja Hamu's grandfather had a tea estate in our village…That's how Raja Hamu took me here, to the bungalow…"

"Sandra Hamu told me one day that your native place was Nuwara Eliya… What are the estates you people have there…? All are tea estates…?

Nandana Menike inquired about those things looking at the range of mountains seen in the far distance.

"Though it is said to be Nuwara Eliya… we are from Kalaganwatta… close to Ragala…. Only tea estates all around… We all depended on tea estates…"

Until Bernard came out of the office, Periyavar marked time relating his past memories to Nandana Menike.

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