Excerpts from P Dayaratne’s autobiographyby KKS PERERAWhile translating the Sinhala autobiography of P. Dayaratne, the former District and Cabinet Minister who represented Ampara (Digamadulla) in Parliament for an uninterrupted 38 years, this writer came across an intriguing chapter featuring a vivid recollection of the Kumana bird sanctuary located to the east of the Yala National Park, which is the largest natural resource in Panampattuwa.Its community leader was Charles Lambert Leonidas, an alumnus of St.
Thomas’, the renowned school by the sea, according to Dayaratne, a gentle and dignified politician. Evidence suggests the people of Kumana village have lived there for generations, with some possibly being descendants of those who fled following the Uva-Wellassa rebellion.The Kumana bird sanctuary, located on the eastern side of Yala National Park, is one of Panama’s greatest natural treasures.
Dayaratne, deeply passionate about environmental conservation, played a key role in preserving this invaluable sanctuary.Leonidas opposed relocationDayaratne was aware of Leonidas, a Thomian fluent in English, who was well-liked by tourists. Initially appointed as an English teacher at Panama Maha Vidyalaya, Leonidas was later transferred to a school in Kumana after conflicts with the Batticaloa education authorities.
Panampattuwa is rich in ancient sites reclaimed by the wilderness, including Kotavehera, Bambaragastalawa, Kongaswewa, and Karanda Hela. While scholars must res.