Sri Lankan poor soldiers weep in the hospital bed. One, who joined the army at his age of 18 to feed his family injured twice but the government would not allow him time to recover from the injuries and insist on going to the battle front.
Another soldier, also 26, said: I joined the army eight years ago when I was 18. Because we were poor villagers, almost all the youth joined the army. Although we can get leave occasionally, we cannot meet any of our friends because not all are granted leave at once.
My father, mother and sister everyone in my family depend on my income. This is the second time I have been hospitalised with severe injuries. My earlier injuries gave me a deaf right ear. It seems I must lose my right hand this time. That means I will not be able to work. |