But his homeland is Sri Lanka. He has come to us with the expectation and vision he has for his homeland and the land where he grew up. His art exhibition is coming to his motherland from six places including Switzerland and Nepal in order to express his gratitude to the Gothama Children’s Home where he grew up and to encourage other resident children.
Although our comrade is living a comfortable life in Switzerland compared to Sri Lanka, he is holding this art exhibition with many hopes in mind, not forgetting the bitter and painful experiences of his life.
Comrade Sarath’s childhood was very painful. Having lost his father’s love and care, he had to spend most of his life in child care centers from infancy to adolescence. Not long after, he lost his mother’s affection.
With that painful experience, he entered the Gothama Childrens Home and although he did not receive the love and care of his father and mother that he had not received in his life, he did receive protection and care there.
There, he passed the G.C.E. (O.L.) examination well and went on to get a job as a vocational apprentice in the railway service and later a technician in the Railway Department.
Sarath, who had experienced tears and pain in his childhood, was able to understand that not only the pain and suffering of the working people at the workplace, but also the injustice and oppression by the rulers in whose hands the workers had to suffer.
Realizing that he should not remain silent, Sarath chose the trade union path to face it and joined forces with his professional colleagues to form a trade union.
At this time, the war was escalating in the North and East. Realizing that the fundamental reason for this was the narrow, racist, chauvinistic politics that politicians in the South had consistently pursued, he actively intervened for the political freedom of the Tamil people.
On the one hand, he was a militant who was equally committed to turning trade unions into real militant and fighting organizations and on the other hand, to winning the political rights of the people of the NorthEast against racist politics. There was a time when the government used force to label him a Tiger and imprison him. But none of that could defeat hes political ideology.
However, in a situation where an unsafe environment had been created in this country where he could no longer carry forward his activities, Comrade Sarath was forced to leave the country seeking political asylum. Although he migrated to Switzerland in Europe, he did not adapt to its luxurious lifestyle. That is why he always sided with the oppressed masses. Whoever fighting against injustice, he joined them. That is why he constantly stayed with and encouraged the workers, students and youth who were engaged in struggles against ruling class. He stood up bravely for the political liberation of the oppressed Tamil people in particular.
After such a long journey of life, he returns to the Gothama Children’s Home to enjoy life. He is grateful to the place that provided him shelter and to share his life experiences.
This art exhibition provides a good opportunity to recognize Comrade Sarath, a symbol of a militant, fighting man. This is his story as well as his life. His aspirations are also embedded in this. But it is not only his but also the aspirations of us who are oppressed in this cruel society.
Let us unite and enjoy life together!
Rev. M. Sathyavelu
Srinath Perera, Attorney at Law
On behalf of North-South Solidarity.
