Soon, my lifestyle will undergo a complete transformation as I am preparing to relocate to a new residence, Abimansala-3, currently in the construction phase in Ibbagamuwa. This is the third installment of the Army Wellness Resorts, built specifically for soldiers of the Sri Lankan Army who were severely injured or disabled during the thirty-year-long war that aimed to liberate all Sri Lankans from Tamil terrorism.

Despite working as a rehabilitation instructor at both Ranaviru Sevana in Ragama and Abimansala in Anuradhapura for the past 12 years, I have decided to transfer to the new Abimansala as a service recipient. This change will offer me a unique experience compared to my current role. Truthfully, the workload at my current position is considerably less compared to my previous role at Ranaviru Sevana due to the decline in the number of blind soldiers being admitted to the center, as there is no longer a war in Sri Lanka. Additionally, the previously injured soldiers have completed their rehabilitation programs. As a result, I believe that continuing in my current role would not be advantageous for myself or anyone else.

When reflecting on my personal life, I realize that I have accomplished many things that are rare for a blind person to achieve. However, there are still numerous goals that I aim to achieve. As a husband and father, I understand the importance of being with my family, but unfortunately, I have been unable to do so in recent times. Therefore, I purchased a plot of land near Ibbagamuwa last year, upon learning about the construction of Abimansala 3 in the vicinity. My new home is located only 8 kilometers away from Abimansala and is currently being built by the Ministry of Defense (MOD) under the Api Venuven Api project. The construction of my new house is almost completed.

I, like many others, find it immensely gratifying to spend time with little ones, and my own two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Yenuli, is no exception. However, due to my infrequent interactions with her, I feel that we have grown somewhat distant. Moving to Ibbagamuwa will enable me to spend more time with her and bridge the gap between us.

I am looking forward to moving into our new home soon, which will be a novel experience for both Darshi and me as we have never lived on our own since getting married.

At present, I have not yet decided which areas I should focus on more intensely. However, there are a few endeavors in the pipeline, and I will share them on my blog once I have achieved them.

From a rehabilitation standpoint, my decision to become an inmate at Abimansala 3 may set a bad precedent, but I believe it is a beneficial move given the values that are prioritized in our society. The only disadvantage I see in this decision is being labeled as a patient. This labeling goes against the concept of rehabilitation, and the proper term should be client. Unfortunately, in an army setup managed by medical personnel, it is challenging to replace the terms patient and inmate with client in rehabilitation scenarios. The situation worsens when the Sinhala term “Leda,” which translates to “patient,” is used. As a person with a disability, I do not want to be labeled a patient for life. We discussed this issue at Ranaviru Sevana, but we were unable to find an appropriate term to refer to soldiers with disabilities.

Looking back, I’ve come to realize that all the good things in my life have been a result of changes that have occurred in the past. Many people tend to avoid change and prefer to remain in their comfort zones, but I firmly believe that once you gather the courage to take the first step towards change, your life can only improve. With change comes new opportunities, so it’s important to remain mindful and seize them when they present themselves.