After walking along the coastal areas of Sri Lanka for 73 days Ranil Thillekeratne is a very tired but satisfied man. An old boy of Wesley College, he is positive that lives can be transformed if people have time to listen to the problems of another. Exactly 73 days ago Ranil set off with two others beginning his walk from Mt.Lavinia and trekked through Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Thanamalwilla, Pothuvil, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Killinochchi, Point Pedro, Pooneryn, Mannar, Thanthirimalai, Puttalam, Negombo and back to Colombo- covering a distance of 1400 kilometers under diverse of weather conditions.
Ranil explains “ I am the Manager of the (Courage Compassion and Commitment) CCC organisation which operates a suicide prevention line, the number is 1333. We have trained counselors who will take calls daily from 9am to 9pm in Sinhala, Tamil and English. The line is a toll free number. The CCC aims to prevent suicide and also guide people out of turbulent crises, giving them hope for the future”. This exceptional young man adds “The walk was a very rewarding experience. I encountered all sorts of people along the way, with mixed reactions to my quest. Many young people supported me by giving me thumbs up signs and cheering me on the way. It was nice to see young people in cities and rural areas. On the way I stopped and had a few meetings giving out leaflets about the CCC line”.
Walking and connecting with people Ranil has been able to identify the needs of the youth and the reasons that lead to depression and suicide. One is the lack of opportunity. Many rural youth feel they are left out in comparison to the young folk in Colombo. This also stems from their inability to communicate in English. Some are bullied in rural schools for simple things like wearing reading glasses. The mindsets of these youth and the adults living around them have to be changed. Ranil also realised the impact and dangerous influence of broken romantic relationships and rejection among youth. This seems to be a major factor leading them to contemplate suicide. Young people in rural areas don’t have mature adults who can sit and talk to them. They also endure social stigma.
Another segment of people Ranil met were parents of young women who have got pregnant before marriage. These girls were deceived into having sex and became pregnant, the man leaving them with no trace. In Puttalam a 16 –year-old girl who had got ensnared like this had later set herself on fire, which led to a tragic and painful death. Ranil says “We need to address these issues. Young people may make mistakes, but that is not a reason to end your life, everyone deserves a second chance”.
Surprisingly, in the innermost rural areas he has met very young couples, who have been given in marriage as an escape from poverty. These young folk don’t have a mature mindset and soon the marriage turns bitter, leading to one spouse going away. Some live in an atmosphere of domestic abuse. The village mentality seems to be too self- righteous and dictates certain harsh outcomes. Ranil Thillekeratne has found many young boys and girls who have been subject to abuse. These young ones feel ashamed and are equally afraid. The habit of bullying a person with a physical disability must stop. These youth need respect and encouragement.
Walking further towards the Northern region Ranil encountered drug and alcohol abuse in areas like Killinochchi. Again, young people don’t have any other area of interest to engage in. They earn a daily wage and find this addiction to be entertaining. Consuming alcohol and other illicit brews create serious health issues. Some of these young farmers had taken micro loans and were unable to pay, which led them to be depressed. On a happier note, Ranil is appreciative about the hospitality extended to him along the way- strangers giving him king coconuts and fruits and being invited for lunch. Ranil concludes by adding “Young folk face many challenges, it comes with age and an assortment of reasons. You must talk and open up. Don’t be shy. Come out of the shadows – call our toll free line 1333.”