Denzil's Stories

My experiences of rebellions How waves of violence in Sri Lanka broke a young man’s heart Warning — Distressing scenes described in this story. A YOUTH INSURRECTION DURING MY BOYHOOD 1971 — There was a strong student and youth socialist movement styled on the “Che Guevara” clique. Many poor, unemployed and underprivileged young people joined this movement. My two elder cousins, my father’s brother’s children, Sisira and Marie, were also in this rebel group. In their home. They replaced Jesus’s picture with that of Mao Zedong and Che Guevara. Both of them, teenagers, boldly spoke about a future socialist society. A society in which everyone was equal in Sri Lanka. Young as I was, it was a bit gibberish to me. In April 1971, the movement turned violent. The insurrection began when the rebels started attacking police stations. The Sri Lankan government responded by deploying armed forces with brutal force. Rebels cut power lines and blocked roads with trees in the countryside. Schools wer...

What-if? Few things that would have sent me on vastly different life trajectories. I have often wondered what would have happened only if. Read on. STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM — US I don’t know how I got the idea to try to go to the US on a student exchange program while studying for the G.C.E. exam. I was fascinated with the US. It was not hard to dream about living in the US. Who would not be inspired to imagine life in the US when you see glossy pictures in Time, Readers Digest or Playboy magazines? I did not want to miss an opportunity to do high school in Connecticut in the US. This program offered only one student position. You know me, I never pass an opportunity if I have a remote chance. I applied for it knowing my chances were slim. Lo and behold! I was on the shortlist. Shortlisted also was my classmate, Nilindra, whose command of English was far superior to mine. Of course, I knew that already; defeat was staring at me. But what did I have to lose? The test was held at the US ...