Kothmale in Nuwara Eliya (July 2022)
In July 2022, Sri Lanka became the first country to declare bankruptcy in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The economic collapse led to an extreme shortage of fuel, food, electricity, and basic supplies. Petrol stations gradually closed, transportation nearly stopped, and entire regions—especially remote mountain areas—became cut off from regular food distribution. Long queues for fuel stretched for kilometers, with people waiting for days. Power cuts lasted for many hours each day, and curfews were frequently imposed.
When we arrived, the country felt as if it had come to a standstill. The streets were nearly empty, with only occasional overcrowded buses or trains still operating. Fuel had to be collected and stored in canisters for months in advance just to make a single journey possible. Without transportation, supplies could not reach remote villages, and the poorest communities began to suffer from real hunger.
We were welcomed by our long-time friend Chandra, who had managed—almost miraculously—to secure a driver. He had been collecting small amounts of petrol over the course of two months, storing it in canisters until he had enough to fill two vehicles that would allow us to carry out our mission. Even this small success felt extraordinary under the circumstances.
Despite all these challenges, we organized a relief mission for a remote mountain village in the Nuwara Eliya region, a place we had been supporting for several years. These communities, mostly Tamil tea plantation workers, live in extremely difficult conditions even in normal times. During the crisis, their situation became critical. With no transport and no supplies reaching them, many families had nothing left to eat.
We carefully planned the distribution of essential items: rice, lentils, dried fish (as a vital source of protein), powdered milk for children, and school supplies such as notebooks and pens. Every step required careful consideration, especially because fuel had to be used with great caution.
Afterward, we walked back down through the breathtaking landscape—tea plantations, waterfalls, flowering plants, and mountain air. The beauty of the surroundings stood in stark contrast to the hardship people were enduring.
This mission was physically and emotionally demanding. The heat, exhaustion, uncertainty, and constant limitations created a strong sense of pressure. At times, it felt almost unreal—like living in a different world. And yet, despite everything, the help reached those who needed it most.
This experience remains a powerful reminder of how fragile living conditions can be—and how important it is to respond with compassion when suffering arises.
Daily life was deeply affected. Electricity was available only for limited hours, cooking gas was scarce, and people had to improvise constantly. Meals were prepared using a combination of firewood, electric cookers, and whatever resources were available. Inflation was overwhelming, and there was a visible चिंता among the people about what the future would bring. Many said that the situation was worse than during the civil war.
At the same time, large protests were taking place across the country, especially in Colombo, where crowds gathered near the presidential palace demanding change. The atmosphere was tense, yet often peaceful—people singing, holding banners, and standing together in uncertainty.
We set out in the early hours of the morning, transporting sacks of rice, lentils, dried sardines, and school materials. After several hours of travel through winding mountain roads, we transferred the supplies into small three-wheeled vehicles to reach the final destination. The last stretch was steep and difficult.
When we arrived, the entire village was waiting—especially women and children. They gathered quietly and formed an orderly line as we distributed the packages. Some of them smiled, others seemed deeply moved. For a moment, it felt almost overwhelming, but it was clear that this help was truly needed.
The distribution itself lasted only a short time, but its meaning was profound. One elderly woman offered dāna to the Venerable Bhikkhunī, with tears in her eyes. It was a moment of deep human connection—beyond words.
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