100 days

Sandhya Eknaligoda

It is 1:09pm and I am standing in the sweltering Colombo heat. Positioned in front of the Fort Railway Station for a protest held to mark 100 days since the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, several thoughts run through my mind. I watch Eknaligoda's wife Sandhya at the fore of the protest holding a placard and standing next to her two sons who are also holding a placard. A few minutes later and Sandhya speaks to journalists about her husband's disappearance. She quietly says that her children have no father and she has no husband. I note that she looks tired and worn out. The stress must be getting to her. It is heart-wrenching to watch her and her sons like this. They must feel hopeless. Eknaligoda's eldest son speaks to journalists after his mother finishes and he has a blank look on his face. Imagine what it must feel like to suddenly not have your father next to you? I left the protest feeling very very sad. Sure, Eknaligoda went missing 100 days ago but it is only when you see his family so distraught, you understand their plight. He was the sole breadwinner of his family. It must feel awful to not have your husband or father anymore.