“The Wrong Train, The Right Lesson”
About a month ago, Mother was eager to visit Nuwara Eliya and my sister’s family. The day before the Dāne at the Asgiriya Temple organized by Yasasi, on October 26th, she hurried to the AGA office and obtained a railway warrant to travel by train to Nawalapitiya.
As soon as I heard, I went straight to the Weyangoda Railway Station and booked the tickets. Everything seemed perfectly arranged — the journey was set for October 25th at 6 a.m.
On October 24th, we went with Dinithi’s family to Anuradhapura to worship and returned that same day. The next morning, at the station, one of the timekeepers announced, “Badulla train is coming next.” Thinking it was ours, we boarded and sat in the reserved seats — 43 and 44.
Soon after, the railway guard came to check our tickets. He looked surprised.
“You’ve boarded the wrong train,” he said kindly. “There are four trains to Badulla on Saturday mornings. You must check your train number, not just the name.”
I explained that we didn’t know the numbers — we only recognized trains by their names: Mail Train, Udarata Manike, Yal Devi…
He smiled, shook his head slightly, and added, “Madam, your reserved luxury compartment has already passed Polgahawela.” Just then, another passenger arrived, claiming our seats.
Thankfully, the Tamil guard, a truly kind gentleman, thought for a moment and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll find you another seat.” He helped us settle down again.
As always, Mother scolded me for the mix-up — she even ate her breakfast alone, continuing her lecture. But I remained calm, following the practice of Mettā (loving-kindness).
Finally, we reached Nawalapitiya safely and went to my sister’s home — a little tired, but wiser.
That day we learned a simple yet valuable lesson:
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Annual Pilgrim “SOMAWATHIE “
A Journey of Faith and Family
The sharp keech-keech of a motorbike horn broke the calm of the dispensary. Smiling, the doctor remarked how even the postman’s bell had changed with time. Life indeed was changing—servants on mobile phones, letters replaced by calls, and habits quietly transformed.
Among the letters delivered that morning was one addressed to Dr. Malanee Kodituwakku—a gentle reminder from Somawathie Temple about the annual pilgrimage on November 16 and 17. That single letter set everything in motion.
As always, Malanee took the lead. Phone calls were made, names discussed, excuses heard, and confirmations gathered. Though many were unable to join due to illness, work, or family duties, a small but devoted group slowly formed. Rasu, the faithful servant of many years, quietly prepared everything—from cooking utensils to food supplies—working not as a helper, but as a family member.
Before dawn, the house at Kalagedihena came alive. Rice was cooked, sambol prepared, bags packed, and prayers whispered. By 4.30 a.m., the bus rolled out—filled with devotion, chatter, Bana sermons, laughter, and quiet naps. The journey included worship at Seruwila Temple, shared meals under unexpected rain, small kindnesses along the way, and warm hospitality.
Reaching Somawathie Temple on time, the group settled in. As tradition demanded, the women cleaned the temple premises, the evening Gilanpasa Pooja was offered with devotion, and tired bodies found rest in simple rooms. Before sunrise the next day, Malanee was again at the temple—service before comfort, always.
The main Buddha Pooja concluded peacefully. Heavy rain followed their departure, as if blessing the journey. Lunch at Minneriya Army Restaurant, sponsored lovingly by family, brought the pilgrimage to a joyful close.
They returned home by night—tired, grateful, and content. More than a trip, it was a reminder: faith grows stronger when shared, and memories made together remain forever. -
Highly Memorable Movement In My Life
“This is a proud and memorable moment for our whole family. Our elder son, Dr. Kemiya, a Dental Surgeon, has been awarded a prestigious UK Government Scholarship to pursue his MSc in Health Economics at the London School of Economics (LSE).
In the first photo, Kemiya is standing proudly with his scholarship, a symbol of his dedication and hard work. In the second, we see the warmth of home: his loving wife Nimna and their little daughter Aselee enjoying precious moments together before his departure.
As parents, we are overjoyed and blessed to witness this achievement. His brothers, Harindu and Mevan, stand beside him with pride, along with their wives Yasasi and Dinithi, who all share in the happiness of this success.
This moment is not only about one person’s academic journey, but about the strength, love, and support of the entire family that surrounds him. It is a celebration of unity, love, and hope for a brighter future.”** -
Moments Between Sunrise and Sleep
I woke up suddenly and lay in bed for a while with my eyes open. Although the windows were closed, I could tell it was still very early. I decided to stay still until the chirping of the birds signaled the start of dawn.
I asked myself, “Why waste this valuable time?” Silently, I observed “Pansil” and spent a little time in meditation. In my heart, I remembered my late father and my ninety-seven-year-old mother. I thought about how I could truly express my gratitude to them. It is a difficult task, but I realized that if I spend the rest of my life living calmly and helping society, it would serve as a tribute to my beloved parents.
Since there was still time before the day began, I stayed quiet so as not to disturb the sound sleep of Mevan and my wife, Malanee. I spent a few moments thinking about the obligations I needed to fulfill today. Finally, I got up and slowly walked out of the bedroom.
By the time I completed my morning routine, the dawn was bright and sunny. Malanee woke up and entered the kitchen, saying, “Kodi, I had a wonderful dream last night!” I stayed silent to let her explain.
She said, “The two of us flew to the UK to celebrate Lokka’s birthday at their Bristol annex. Aselee cut the cake, and Lokka told us it was a lovely cake made by Nimna. While we were enjoying ourselves, I heard the whistle of a pressure cooker. Suddenly, I opened my eyes.”
She realized it was just a dream. Laughing, I told her, “That wasn’t a UK pressure cooker—I was boiling ‘kawpee’ in our pressure cooker here at home!” We both laughed as she started her workday.
Later, she mentioned that we needed to prepare lunch for our relatives in Waraplana, who have helped us so much over the years. My assistant, Rasu, and I had already prepared the basics. By noon, we had fried rice, chicken devilled, and dhal curry ready. Malanee prepared a salad, and Rasu packed everything neatly into the car.
During the thirty-minute drive, we chatted about her dream. When we arrived, the Warapalana family welcomed us warmly. We sat and talked about the past, present, and future of our two families. It was wonderful to have a get-together after such a long time. They treated us with great hospitality and saw us off with traditional respect. On the way back, we reminisced about the time my wife worked as a doctor at the nearby hospital and the kindness they showed us then.
After returning, I had lunch and headed to bed for a nap. However, I couldn’t rest for even a minute! My wife came in and told me she had left her mobile phone at their house. I called Chamila, who told me they had already found the phone and were on their way to return it. They arrived within ten minutes, and I thanked them.
After finally getting my nap and waking up, I had a long, pleasant chat with my favorite people. I also called Podi Malli to check on my mother’s health and catch up on village news.
My wife treated patients at her dispensary until 9:00 PM. Later, Mevan brought home some cheese koththu, and we had a lovely family chat at the dining table. Before heading to bed, I completed my routine work. I hope to have a sound sleep tonight to end this fulfilling day.
Stories of Kodi 