Photo from Sangam.org Sashi Selvendran-23 Jul, 2013 Groundviews These memories still haunt me—even 30 years later. Pain clutches me, along with fear and trepidation. Now I look back and remember with tears of profound sadness at so many things that happened as a result of this fateful day 30 years ago. Things that tore a nation apart, threw my family to the wolves, forced us to leave….and yet we were the lucky ones. We made it out. My family was just getting to a point where many young families feel comfortable. My father had a good job at Ministry of Ag, with a driver and important meetings that he attended representing Sri Lanka. My mother – she was some kind of important person in the Ministry of Tea Plantations. I knew this only because she had a big office away from the others. As a result, I too felt important. I thought we were special—my sister and I. I had no idea how different we really were from everyone. You see, we aren’t like all the others. Not because of our house, car, or nice flatware. But because we are a mix of two cultures – that didn’t feel that different to us, but would come to define for the rest of our lives.

The lucky ones

Photo from Sangam.org

• Sashi Selvendran-23 Jul, 2013

Groundviews

These memories still haunt me—even 30 years later.  Pain clutches me, along with fear and trepidation.  Now I look back and remember with tears of profound sadness at so many things that happened as a result of this fateful day 30 years ago.  Things that tore a nation apart, threw my family to the wolves, forced us to leave….and yet we were the lucky ones.  We made it out.

My family was just getting to a point where many young families feel comfortable.  My father had a good job at Ministry of Ag, with a driver and important meetings that he attended representing Sri Lanka.  My mother – she was some kind of important person in the Ministry of Tea Plantations.  I knew this only because she had a big office away from the others.

As a result, I too felt important.  I thought we were special—my sister and I.  I had no idea how different we really were from everyone.  You see, we aren’t like all the others.  Not because of our house, car, or nice flatware.  But because we are a mix of two cultures – that didn’t feel that different to us, but would come to define for the rest of our lives.

Silk sarees

Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai-23 Jul, 2013

As I recall “Black July” 1983 on 23rd July 2013, 30 years have quickly passed by, but my memories of  “Black July” remain fresh and intact in my heart. On a Saturday morning, we heard the news about an ambush (13 army soldiers were killed) in Thirunelvely, Jaffna Peninsula on 23rd July 1983. As a family discussed the serious matter in detail. Following the official funeral of the 13 soldiers in Kanatte Cemetery in Colombo on 24th July 1983 (Sunday evening), we have received numerous phone calls via our land phone about the beginning of the pogrom on Sunday night. We were warned; we were concerned: and we were worried.

Nevertheless, we were attacked instantly and our houses were looted continuously. We were made refugees in our own land. Tamils who lived in Sri Lanka with dignity were forced to lose their identity and respect immediately. My parents have gone through loss, displacement and trauma for more than once in their life time with regards to anti Tamil violence in Sri Lanka. Our expensive pure silk sarees and gold jewelleries were snatched in front of our eyes. Pure silk sarees and gold jewelleries are precious to Tamil women. They are gifted from one generation to another, and worn as treasured gifts with affection. Especially these gold jewelleries included birthday and wedding anniversary gifts. I can recall that in my family we never have thrown a pure silk saree or a pure silk dhoti, we kept wearing them until they have torn into pieces. Afterwards, we used to make silk skirts upto the angles, and matching blouse to be worn for weddings, special occasions and school functions. But, they all have been snatched away from our wooden almarahs. They were carefully dry cleaned, perfectly folded, and hanged and were ready to be used immediately for the next upcoming event.Continue reading »