Comments on: Longing and Belonging series: Returning lives, rebuilding limbs

By: hasthi

hasthi — Thu, 10 May 2012 09:20:19 +0000

It is indeed heart warming to read of such great men who are less heard of and are almost unseen. The fact we rarely get to know of great people such as Dr Panagamuwa is the misfortune of the nation. 30 years back, in the Colombo General Hospital was a great doctor – Prof. Dr. Navaratnam (if I remember correctly) who did not do any channel practice but whole heartedly devoted his time to teaching and treating (I came to know of him because my father happened to be admitted to his ward).

These types of great men do not seek publicity because their only devotion is to service. But we, not knowing and not appreciating such goodness look at people with eyes coloured by political, religious and other divisions created by people with vested interest and drag humanity to low ends.

By: Piranha

Piranha — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 11:28:01 +0000

What an amazing human being. Selfless and undiscriminating service to the needy. The politicians from both sides of the ethnic divide should learn what is service to the people really means from this saint of a man.He is practicing what his religion preached. May all the gods bless him.

By: Anjali

Anjali — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 13:48:20 +0000

Kannan–this is amazing. Great job.

Dr. Panagamuwa, you renew my faith in humanity. Your interview had me in tears. Thank you for what you are doing.

By: Morgan Jurado

Morgan Jurado — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:51:12 +0000

I am sorry for my mistake , here is the corrected version
Dear Kannan
thank you for this post, Dr Panagamuwa, thank you, you are an example, you are a great human being, you are the real Buddhist, you are great hero with real patriotism people have to learn things from you, you deserve a recognition I wish you get something big one day though you don’t work for those.

By: Morgan Jurado

Morgan Jurado — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:33:47 +0000

Dear Kannan
thank you for this post, Dr Panagamuwa, thank you, you are an example, you are a great human being, you are the real Buddhist, you are great hero with real patriotism people have to learn things from you, you deserve a recognition I wish you get something big one day tough you do work for those.

By: Nagalingam Ethirveerasingam

Nagalingam Ethirveerasingam — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:17:36 +0000

Dr. Panagamuwa,
Thank you. You have joined many from various background to help people in distress. Thank you especially for volunteering and helping the people who have lost much. Your very act is a comfort to them to cope with the trauma they went through. You are paving a concrete and direct action path for civilians to take the first look towards reconciliation. As you know that path is one of many. They are long, dark and full of thorns, devils, thunder and lightning. But you are walking in front on one path with the light with no other motive than to heal the body and mind of those who are in need of your compassion. Hope many other civilians from all communities will join you.
Thank you Kannan Arunasalam for your excellent presentation of glimpses of the thoughts and actions of people living and visiting the North.

By: Arosha Bandara

Arosha Bandara — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:06:00 +0000

I have found by all three of these short films on ‘Longing and Belonging’ to be very inspiring but have to say that ‘Returning Lives, Rebuilding Limbs’ has been the best of the lot. Perhaps knowing Dr. Panagamuwa (or ‘Pana Uncle’ as we have always called him) in person is part of it, but I think the bigger factor is that the example set by Dr. Panagamuwa shows how all Sri Lankans need to respond to the challenge of reconciliation – by making concrete steps to reach out and make a positive impact on the lives of our brethren across ethnic, class or caste divides. Of course not all of us are able to make a direct contribution in the way that Dr. Panagamuwa and his colleagues are doing, but we can certainly do our part to support this work both materially and spiritually.

Pana Uncle, we are all very proud of the wonderful work you are doing. I wish you good health and long life.

Kannan Arunasalam, thank you for making these films that highlight the positive contributions of the diaspora. I have enjoyed your iam.lk montages as well and hope you are able continue telling these wonderful stories.

By: Jayampathi Basnayake

Jayampathi Basnayake — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:27:28 +0000

My dearest Aiya (loku aiya)
We all are proud of you, what you are doing today is exactly what our beloved amma, and appachchi wanted us to do. They wanted us to be doctors without setting boundaries, servants to the society with no credits in returns, teachers to the vulnerable society with no expectation of honor or respect, person who can stand for justice and truth with no anxiety to talk and act. You have achieved all those 4 goals with merit. We wish you a good health with all blessings from Triple Gem!
Loving,
Sudu Malli

By: Groundviews

Groundviews — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:15:16 +0000

In reply to Haren J. Very glad you got to see this, and thanks for writing in.

By: Haren J

Haren J — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:01:38 +0000

I am very proud of Dr. Paranagamuwa who happens to be my distant great uncle. He correctly says that these are “my people”. Race only perpetuates division and hated. I hope more Sri Lankans from all backgrounds come to help my fellow people to get back on their feet(literally and metaphorically). I hope to visit SL hopefully next year and help some kids from Vavuniya who were very eager to learn the last time I visited them.

Hope and peace for a better tomorrow!

Haren
Mountain View, CA