IYAP - Frontline stories (English)

On the frontline Commander RMG Rathnayake Sri Lanka Coastguard (SLCG) Airports had been shut down, roads were completely closed off, and mobility and travel within cities were strictly restricted with curfews, but there was yet another entry point that needed to be manned. RMG Rathnayake is a commanding officer of the SLCG and is responsible for maritime security, and has to ensure along with his team that naval routes are cordoned off as well. The challenge, he claims, is when fishing vessels return to shore. Some fishermen are known to come in contact with foreigners out in the sea as they are involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking and other illegal activities. During the Covid-19 crisis, a new protocol was implemented. Commander Rathnayake was to work with Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) to ensure the fishermen did not contract the virus during their trips to the sea. Their temperatures were to be checked on arrival and questioned about contact. They were all subjected to a 14-day isolation period and were considered a suspect of carrying the virus due to their unknown whereabouts, as per the new protocol. All the harbours had to be manned, and vessels coming into the shore and leaving are rigorously checked and monitored. Although this was the protocol pre-Covid, now Commander Rathnayake is also tasked with the additional duty of taking more meticulous steps to ensure the virus is not brought into the country via the naval routes. With Covid-19 widely spreading among the naval bases, his anxieties grew, especially when a navy officer from Polonnaruwa who had been in contact with people from his camp was tested positive. He had to trace contact and isolate them, and ensure to run PCR tests on all of them. He was quite relieved to find out they were negative. Since then, he does routine random tests inside the camp. When questioned about the threat posed to him during these times, he states that they have to still continue with their work, despite the life-threatening risk. He reflects, during the civil war, they knew there were suicide boats out in the sea. But yet, they ventured out to do their duty, knowing the threats. “Likewise, I accept these threats, and I am willing to make necessary sacrifices to serve and protect my country”, he concludes. Caption: Serving to protect the country despite the life threatening risk.

Mohamed Hussain Ghowzul Fareed Milkman Fareed, 55, is a small-time business the owner selling household items for the his past six years. Days into the lockdown, supermarket online delivery slots were fully occupied. When he heard from his friends, there was a need for a milkman to deliver dairy, he willingly volunteered, knowing well the inadequacy and inefficiency of delivery services due to overwhelming orders. Although people often use motorbikes, bicycles or three- wheelers for delivery, Fareed revamped new car into a delivery vehicle to fit his social cause. Fareed would set out early in the morning by 6 am to deliver milk. He worked tirelessly tending to the needs of the elderly, quarantined/self- isolated populations, religious places of worship like the kovil for their weekly ‘pooja’, orphanages, frontline workers and the general public. He would reach home by 11 pm. He says these were some of the hardest days of his life. Delivery rounds would take a lot longer to complete, with orders coming in continuously throughout the day. And this physical labour and lack of sleep took a toll on his body too. Regardless, Fareed says he is more than willing to contribute and do his bit for the community. As time went on, Fareed started noticing young children looking dull and irritable during his routine delivery trips. To bring some joy to them, he would buy them candy and other sweets. Soon, he became a popular ‘uncle’ among the kids. At the sight of his red car, they would gather around, waiting for their day’s treat. Little do we know about the joy you would get from watching a red car come by. Ask the children who were stuck at home with no school and no friends to play with, and they will paint you a different story altogether. The children would make ‘thank you’ cards too, which he cherishes. Fareed acknowledges the unity that was shared during these times fighting a common enemy. Race, religion, class and other prejudices had no place at a time like this, he reflects in hindsight. He hopes we can all co-exist in the future with the same unity and brotherhood. Caption: Not your average milkman! When delivery becomes a social cause…

Ganeshan Jinesh Pharmacist Frontline workers, like Ganeshan, a pharmacist of 20 years, stepped up to serve the public in the distribution and delivery of medical essentials. Although his family members and fiancé did not approve of him going to work, he clearly told them that he has a social responsibility over his community. They pleaded with him saying his life was a lot more important than bringing a paycheck home during these times. He had to put aside their warning cries to commit to this social cause at an unprecedented time. His customers would often call him and explain their urgency for certain medications for chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart-related issues, allergic conditions and so on. “How can I ignore their pleas?”, he asserts. Once he decided to return to work, only his fiancé accompanied him to help in the pharmacy as his assistants were unable to work due to the woes of their families. A month into the curfew, Ganeshan received a call from the local OIC informing him that he had been in contact with a supplier of face masks who had been tested positive for Covid-19. The police surrounded his house, and he was taken to his pharmacy. The police took all of his masks he had kept for sale, and burnt it as it posed a risk. He lost around LKR 40,000. Ganeshan was asked to self isolate in his home for two weeks as he was a suspected case of Covid-19. During this time of destituteness and confusion, he was heavily criticised by his neighbours who accused him of bringing the disease to their doorstep. Although Ganeshan was never tested positive for Covid-19, he was regarded with contempt. His only support was his friends who agreed to leave essentials for him on his doorstep. Oftentimes the sacrifices and struggles of frontline workers go unseen, and in the case of Ganeshan, this is apparent. His isolation was extended for a further two weeks. And this negative public opinion of him would go on for even longer, which he has to endure due to the primitive public narrative associated with Covid-19 afflicted and suspected patients. Caption: The challenges faced by frontline pharmacists!

Vigneswaranathan Sarangan Volunteer in Thavady, Jaffna Amidst the current global pandemic, youth volunteers have taken an active role in reaching out to help communities in a responsible manner. Vicki, 23, is one such volunteer from Thavady, Jaffna of around 350 families. The first Covid-19 patient in Jaffna was identified in his village and the patient was only half a kilometre away from his house. Curfew was effectively implemented across the region and each household in his village was to ensure strict self-isolation protocol for 21 days. All entry points were armed by the forces and the village was barricaded from every front ensuring no one enters or leaves. This was not the first time Vicki’s village has faced such a crisis. Jaffna also suffered heavily during the civil war, and during those times, Vicki says, they would hear bomb explosions, tanks approaching and they could take cover and protect themselves. Covid-19, on the other hand, was an enemy they couldn’t take cover from as it's not visible to the naked eye. The virus posed a threat they did not know how to cope and battle with, physically, mentally and emotionally. During the lockdown, there was a scarcity of basic essentials like bread, vegetables and milk. There were no delivery services within this community as well. People had to manage with what they had where they couldn’t even reach out to their neighbours for any help. There was no leadership or representation for the needs of his community, Vicki attests. Due to this dire situation, around ten boys, including Vicki, requested the General Secretariat (G.S) of the area for volunteering. Permission was granted as there were limited resources to sustain the lockdown of his village. Their role was to distribute essential items that were issued by private donors and politicians amongst the families. They classified the families and prioritised widows, disabled people, elderly and other vulnerable groups of people first. Oftentimes Vicki had to cycle around his village going door to door for delivery, as the petrol station was closed and he couldn't refuel his motorbike. He was able to see all aspects of his village, especially the needs of children, daily wage workers, farmers and other groups. After witnessing their sufferings first hand, Vicki is inspired to continue serving and helping his village even more. Caption: Youth volunteers in the forefront of the pandemic, reaching out to and serving rural communities.

Fairoos Khan Fisherman People residing in the derelict parts of Maligawatta are daily wage workers who experience financial struggles regularly. But what does it feel like to be living in a slum during a pandemic? With no income and delivery services reluctant to enter a high-risk zone, their fates were sealed. \"Many families did not even have a morsel to go by for days. Crying children and parents desperately seeking food door to door due to crushing starvation was our new plight\", says Fairoos, 44, a fisherman residing here\". With many turning to him asking if there was anything they could buy, Fairoos decided to do something no matter the risks \"How can I sit back and watch?\", he asks. \"We were battling with two enemies, the virus and hunger, and with the latter I could do something to help.\" After careful consideration of the Covid- related risks, he decided to gain a permit to sell fish within his community. He wasn't aware at the time that this will prove to be a crucial initiative. Fairoos worked relentlessly, starting his day before the crack of dawn and selling fish in a makeshift fish stall he set up close to his house. He would sell without a profit and often give it away for free for desperate families. \"I know the pangs of hunger. And I know very well the pain of these parents who helplessly watch their kids go hungry\", he remorsefully reflects. \"This was the time to serve my people.\" His actions were also an inspiration for others, who started setting up vegetable and fruit stalls within this settlement, making it easy for people to have access to food. So why is it important to highlight Fairoos? His initiative should be voiced as his resolve of steel inspires us to have courage, to give and be compassionate, during extraordinary times. Caption: Stepping up to meet the needs of the community during a pandemic.

D. Samantha and W.S. Amarawansha Sanitation workers D. Samantha and W.S. Amarawansha are two best friends who provided a fundamental public service on the frontline. Their duties consisted of emptying and disinfecting septic tanks, sewers, manholes, drains and roadways in Colombo, a high-risk zone. Samantha says, \"no one forced us to work. We were given the option to either stay at home or volunteer to work.\" And both friends willingly signed up. Amarawansha adds, \"Our job is a contribution to society but no one recognises that. This time we helped our people and our country and we take pride in that\". \"We were so physically exhausted working through the night often. With restaurants closed, we can't even pop in for tea and we only had a bottle of water to sustain us through the day\". These were also months they were away from their families staying at the accommodation provided by the municipal council. And when they did return, Samantha says, even his own children, who would usually be happy to see him return from work, would be scared to embrace him. Finding positivity in a difficult time, they say they were still motivated to serve because of the newfound respect they received. Amarawansha affirms, \"Now people respect and see our importance.\" \"Even when the police stop us to check our IDs, they see our designation and show us some respect. Earlier, there was a blatant disregard for us because of the role we play in society,\" explains Samantha. Their enthusiasm to serve is truly remarkable. It is clear the only way they could endure this perilous time is the support and friendship they shared. We may not fully understand the adversities they experienced. However, it is evident that they find comfort knowing that there is at least one person out there who knows what it was exactly like. Most often, workers like Samantha and Amarawansha lack adequate information on the risks, recognition and pay, making their courage and willingness to serve nothing short of heroic. Caption: Sanitation Workers: The frontline heroes we don't talk about

Colonel P.P. Gunamuni Army Colonel P.P. Gunamuni has taken many diligent steps to protect the health and wellbeing of soldiers, civilians, families, and communities. \"In my 25 years of service in the SL Army, we faced countless national threats and crisis, adverse weather conditions, flooding, landslides, tsunamis and the likes. But we were not prepared to face a pandemic and threat of this magnitude\", says Colonel Gunamuni. \"We had no prior training to combat something like this, so most often we learned what needs to be done on-the-job.\" \"It's unlike the war where the threat was imminent\", he adds, \"the pandemic was another challenge altogether. We are in the frontline fighting an enemy who we don't have a complete understanding of. But it is our responsibility to protect our people, and we are bound to this duty. And this time around we were not the only ones on the frontline. We did our best to support the health care services of our country.\" Colonel Gunamuni has been responsible for many aspects of the preventative care which also included building and maintaining quarantine centres and enhancing its facilities. \"We had to ensure the suspected patients who arrived had appropriate facilities from lodging, food, proper sanitation, and so on, in order to curb and prevent the spread,\" he says. From spreading awareness in surrounding villages, distributing harvest and rations to transporting patients to the quarantine centres; the scale of tasks they had undertaken is unprecedented in itself. Colonel Gunamuni concludes by stressing on the importance of individual responsibility and self-commitment to overcome this pandemic. \"By strictly following the guidelines proposed by the health experts, we can win this fight together.\" Caption: Braving the unprecedented tasks in an unprecedented crisis.

Eranda Pushpakumara Public Health Inspectors (PHI) The concept of \"contact tracing and isolation\" is vital for preventing the spread of Covid-19. Public Health Inspectors (PHI), like Eranda Pushpakumara, were at the forefront of this task. \"Prevention is always better than cure. With only around 500 ICU beds and 50,000 hospital beds in our small nation, prevention is the only option. It'll be impossible to cope with community spread with the limited resources that we have,\" states Eranda. \"The fear of the devastating consequence we will have to face if we don't do a thorough job is what kept me going through these difficult times\". PHIs are the first responders when a suspected case emerges. Eranda has to assess the patient's contact history and send him to the nearest hospital. He has to then trace contact of immediate family members who are referred to as \"first-line\", which includes domestic staff as well. \"Contact tracing is a rigorous process\", he says, \"it will include all places they visited like worksites, hometowns, and tracking public transport routes. The ones who were in contact with the family members are the second line, and we have to go all the way up to the third line of tracing\", he explains. \"Many countries only perform first-line tracing\", he continues, \"but the second line is crucial to stop the spread.\" Eranda is also tasked with the duty of deciding whether to home quarantine or send suspected patients to the quarantine centres. \"When a patient lives in close quarters, like a slum, we transport everyone residing there to the centre to prevent spread.\" If it is a home quarantine, he gives the family his contact details for any emergency which also includes delivery of essentials and medical supplies. \"This will give them no valid reason to go out\", he says. Eranda worked tirelessly around the clock during the three-month lockdown making sure his fears don't turn into a reality. Unfortunately, many people do not comprehend the gravity of the service and commitment of the public health sector. The work and time invested by the PHIs in our country need to be acknowledged and valued just as much as other frontline workers during this pandemic. Caption: The Covid crisis as seen through the eyes of a Public Health Inspector



Nadesan Maheshwari Waste collector Whilst pushing her garbage cart, N. Maheshwari (46) thoughtfully reflects, \"people assume we do our jobs because of poverty. It might come as a surprise to them that we actually like what we do. I can go home after work feeling satisfied knowing I have made a difference. Now, during this crisis, I have taken more risks to keep people safe and the environment pleasant and my work has been recognised as an essential service.\" With public transport systems coming to a halt, Maheshwari residing in Thotalanga had to walk two hours to reach Colombo, at least by 6 a.m., for work. And her day starts with picking up garbage and sweeping the streets in the early hours of the morning. With many of her colleagues not turning up for work, she had more streets to cover which she did without complaining. \"People would throw their trash on the streets and it is never segregated\", she says. This means she has to sort it out, separating plastics, glassware, wet waste and others. This proved to be even more dangerous as she had to sort through Covid waste, often coming across masks, gloves, tissues and sanitary napkins. \"We can't let the fear of Covid-19 get to us. We have to get the work done and keep our country safe\". When questioned about PPE, she adds with a smile \"it tears after sorting through a few garbage bags\". Nonetheless, all her hard work during the lockdown has not been wasted, she adds cheerfully, \"people can now walk in my streets safely without worrying. If we had stopped working because of Covid-19, people would not be able to come out and walk amongst the trash we clean every day.\" Caption: The unrecognised efforts of a waste collector

Deepthi Tharika Edirisinghe Medical Laboratory Technician Accurately diagnosing Covid-19 is critical for the life of the patient and the global response towards the pandemic. Unfortunately, the work of laboratory staff who help with this task has gone unseen and unappreciated. Deepthi Edirisinghe (29) was called for duty at the frontline, \"I acted voluntarily\", she reflects, \"I knew this is something I had to do despite the risk of testing an unknown virus and being in close proximity to it. If I had stepped down without serving, I would have carried that regret all my life.\" Deepthi's regular working hours drastically changed as now she has a substantial number of samples that necessitates working round the clock. Laboratory technicians like her were sweeping through hundreds of samples a day getting reports out within a matter of hours when most countries took 24-48 hours to do so. Working in a high-risk environment also meant she had to part ways with her family and fiance and stay in the hospital during the lockdown. \"Being the only child, it was hard on my parents. They do not understand what my line of work entails and they were stressed and anxious for me. My hectic work hours meant they couldn't reach me for any reassurance. That is why I feel it is important to highlight the struggles and sacrifices of families of frontline workers too. They have also been in this fight with us, supporting and hiding their true fears\", she acknowledges. \"What I am most proud of is the fact that it was all girls in my laboratory. We left our families and loved ones for this cause. To be able to work as a team of girls to fight this pandemic was a profound moment for me. We are a part of history\", she proudly admits. Caption: Women at the frontline of the pandemic

Dr. Harsha Jayakody (MBBS (Sri Lanka), MBA in Health Admin (Malaysia), MSc in Biomedical Informatics (Sri Lanka) 1390 Coronavirus Hotline \"I have always wanted to do something innovative and contribute to society from a young age. This was the primary reason why I started 'MyDoctor', a telemedicine platform back in 2012. But in Sri Lanka, people do not trust these systems,\" says Dr Harsha (38). However, conventional views started to change with the onset of the pandemic and telemedicine was getting traction. \"People were panicking and were plagued with doubts. By calling the coronavirus hotline, they could get help from a credible source which was updated by the Ministry of Health.\" Being able to access information, particularly in an emergency, is essential in saving lives and livelihoods. The hotline was operating 24/7, attending a high volume of calls. In April alone, they received over 50,000 calls. This was possible due to a relentless team of doctors who manned the hotline screening patients with both Covid and non-Covid symptoms. Often they had to give emotional support for those who were struggling with anxiety and panic. So what happens when a suspected case of Covid-19 emerges? Dr Harsha says, \"Hospitals island-wide are registered in the system. So wherever there was a case, we could arrange an ambulance, or inform relevant hospitals, the MOH and PHI, and facilitate the needful. This will allow hospital staff to take the necessary precautions when receiving this patient.\" \"The best moment for me was when we identified our first positive Covid patient through our screening,\" reminisces Dr Harsha. \"This was a great sense of achievement as we knew the system we had in place was working and we were helping to reduce the impact of the pandemic in our country through this platform.\" Caption: Innovation quashing conventional views during a pandemic

Ajeerah Khaleeldeen Principal/Teacher When many schools turned to digital education during the lockdown, Ajeerah Khaleeldeen (51), the principal of Kattankudy Hairath Vidyalaya, had to come up with an innovative approach to teach. Her students were mostly from bereft families where parents could not afford internet services for online lessons nor did they have smartphones. She says, \"The children required a mentor to guide them during the lockdown. Most parents of my students are illiterate and cannot help them education-wise. If we did not intervene, it is highly likely they'll drop out of school and be deprived of a good future\". Thus, Ajeerah wanted to maximise whatever opportunity she had to reach out to these kids. She took matters into her own hands and decided to take the \"school to their doorsteps\". She obtained a curfew permit that would allow her to venture outdoors for 2 hours every day. At 10 a.m., she will set out distributing model papers, books and handouts explaining Covid regulations for the students and receiving answer sheets to monitor progress. Every day she covered as many families as possible on a motorbike heading to the most derelict parts of villages. Ajeerah's \"mobile school system\" helped reach vulnerable children ensuring there was an equal right for education despite one's socio-economic class. Her commitment to students and education comes from her own telltale experience. She says, \"we have faced many adversities in our community, from the war to natural hazards which claimed properties, livelihoods, physical and mental health. But the only thing it could never claim was knowledge and a sound education.\" Caption: Teachers are stepping up too!

Dr Sathyani Wevita (MBBS) Clinical Researcher ‘We stay here for you, please stay home for us’ is the message that has been widely circulated. So how has it been on the other side? Dr Sathyani Wevita (29) a clinical researcher at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) shares her experience at the frontline. Sathyani was tasked with the duties of sample collection and facilitating Covid-related research by monitoring patients. At the start of the pandemic, there was a general fear of working with an unknown virus. “I kept telling myself this is the moment for me to do something valuable for my people and contribute to this global effort. I've always been a person who wanted to make a difference, so I'm proud that I was able to serve at the frontline”, she says. Like many doctors during this period, Sathyani overworked herself, isolated from her family and faced many difficulties. However, she dismissed her personal challenges and highlighted the undue stress, anxiety and stigmatisation of the Covid-19 patients instead. She recalls, “They were afraid, away from family, facing uncertainty, hopelessness and were financially constrained. One incident that particularly moved me was the emotional challenges faced by a mother who was separated from her one-year-old son for almost 50 days. This was an agonising time for the mother who would ask me repeatedly every day, am I cured? Am I able to go home? These are the challenging moments in our jobs.” Sathyani was able to comfort her by sending positive personal messages through an intercom as the patient was in a sealed cubicle. “This pandemic has affected people mentally, and their emotional baggage is immense. That's why I strive to do better with my patients, taking some time to understand and console them”, she says. “As a doctor, I personally believe that we should go one step further and treat patients with kindness and empathy rather than seeing them only from a medical perspective. I believe in healing patients with the best possible care.” Caption: Frontline doctors rising to the occasion



Duminda Wanigasekera Psychiatry Division, Lunawa Hospital Two public health crises coincided in the recent months - the coronavirus pandemic and the substance use disorder - causing deaths and destruction requiring healthcare workers to assume responsibility at the frontline. “I was bound to stay at home like many others. When a friend experienced a heart attack due to alcohol withdrawal, I was tormented with guilt for not being able to be of help to him,” says Duminda (39), a drug rehabilitation worker. “This is when I decided to step up for others who were undergoing acute withdrawal. This was a call for duty.” He further went on to say, “It's challenging for addicts to deal with the withdrawal symptoms from which they suffer tremendously. I have conducted addiction rehabilitation for a long time. I know how fatal it can be and what people face. They don't care for legal consequences at this point and usually venture out trying to deal with the withdrawal. They need help.” Duminda noticed a marked increase in addicts attending the hospital for pharmacological and psycho-emotional support. He took this opportunity to advise them about social distancing, hand hygiene and surface contamination through physical items like cannabis cigars and matchboxes. “Although it won't be quantitatively effective, it is something that needs to be done. Most addicts needed personalised advice as they didn't know why social distancing was important.” Teaching them was vital as they could spread the disease and start new clusters quickly. Duminda worked hard and took many risks to be there for these vulnerable groups, however, his efforts aren't always rewarded. “I live by a Hindu philosophy that says ‘do good without expecting anything in return’. Although only a small number of individuals are able to rehabilitate successfully, we can't let that demotivate us. We have to keep moving forward.” Caption: Fighting substance abuse at the frontline

Pastor Lakmal Wijeratne Christian Reformed Church Faith communities have been at the frontline working without seeking any glory or validation but a rather humane world carrying out acts of kindness and solidarity towards the vulnerable. Pastor Lakmal Wijeratne (40) of the Christian Reformed Church states, “This experience wasn’t similar to the tsunami, floods and landslides that we have helped out before. It is a pandemic affecting millions of people globally and relief work proved to be extremely difficult. However, it is our duty to look after the needs of people, the broken-hearted, the sick and those who are worried and troubled.” The pastors of his church put up a united front, helping to mobilise funds, collect supplies, packaging and delivering to people in need. Pastor Wijeratne has also been attending to many people suffering from various problems during the lockdown, from counselling people going through an emotional crisis, visiting families to resolve domestic issues to assisting in ministering the dead and comforting the bereaved. Faith communities have been at the frontline as a beacon of light. Pastor Wijeratne reflects on a particular heartwarming incident that made all his efforts worthwhile. “When we delivered reheatable meals to an elderly lady who lives by herself, she was moved to tears”. She had felt abandoned and isolated during this time and thanked the church profusely for being there for her. “But what took me by surprise was when she contacted me the next day offering Rs 3000 for the next round of relief saying it was her turn to help out someone and bring happiness and relief to them. She was willing to contribute with whatever savings she had at a time when many were reduced to hoarding”, he reflects. “Even in the midst of this suffering, there are many signs of hope and lessons we can learn from to live a better life,” concludes Pastor Wijeratne. Caption: Faith communities have been at the frontline as a beacon of light

Chaminda Janaka Cemetery Worker “I played my part during the lockdown although my contributions might not have made the headlines,” says Chaminda Janaka (48), a cemetery worker caught at the epicentre of the pandemic. “Not everyone knows our side of the story and that does not matter to me. I feel satisfied knowing I have supported the efforts that were taken.” This crisis hit him particularly hard when he saw the escalating global death toll. He knew what was at stake. “It felt like it was a matter of time before our country would face the same. We had to mentally prepare ourselves for what was to come if the virus spreads nationwide” he says. “We are scared but we can’t let it get the better of us.” Chaminda had to cycle around ten kilometres to reach the Borella Kanatte Cemetery. He worked longer shifts and through the night due to the shortage of staff, respectfully maintaining the grounds, tending to memorial sites and preparing graves so families can say their final goodbyes to loved ones. “We see the emotional turmoil families go through. It was difficult this time around as there are a limited number of people allowed to attend. You could see their pain not being able to be comforted by family and friends,” he says. “We had more protocols and guidelines to follow during this time. We had to act fast and process the final rights swiftly as the virus is highly contagious.” He had to shoulder this responsibility at a time when people were encouraged to stay at home and practice social distance. He says, “Our work revolves closer to the dead than the living, and there is a greater risk working at this time. Working with PPE was extremely difficult due to the heat. However, we had to get the work done; digging graves and sealing them. This is not the type of work everyone is capable of doing.” Frontline responders, like Chaminda, were not passive emotional bystanders during this disaster. Being in this line of work means he cannot let emotions cloud his actions.“This does not mean we don’t care,” he mentions, “I care and that is why I'm prepared to do the right thing by everybody who comes here, regardless of how they died, by contracting the virus or not.” Caption: Applause for the invisible frontliners.



Kumari Amarasena Registered Nurse A perfectionist at work, Kumari Amarasena (36) arrives early at Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) to check on her patients. Her day starts by talking to them, calming their irrational fears and giving them hope. She has over 10 years experience at the quarantine wards working with deadly communicable diseases. She says, “to be a nurse for me personally is to do work no one else will do, in a way no one can do. It is to be of service in spite of the circumstance we face.” Kumari works 12 or 24-hour shifts at the infectious disease wards. She describes her line of work saying, “It is a challenging environment but I don't like to step back. I've always been the one to face challenges head-on.” “It was an unforgettable experience”, she remarks, reflecting on the first Covid positive patient, a Chinese national she treated. “She had no relatives here, there was a language barrier and she had contracted the virus. I can understand how she must be feeling, a woman all by herself in a foreign land. That’s why I did all I could to make her comfortable, going to the lengths of getting google translate to communicate,” she reminisces with a smile. She has treated Covid positive patients of all ages. She says, “watching patients recover and get back on their feet with our care has been my favourite aspect. It truly defines what nursing is all about!” Shortages of PPE was a global phenomenon, and Sri Lanka was not an exception to it. The staff in her ward made makeshift protective clothing covers by hand and made do with the limited resources they had. “We never used the lack of PPE as an excuse to avoid work. We took necessary precautions to evade contaminating surfaces and infecting others, to look after our patients. If we start worrying about ourselves, who will be there for them? So I took it in my stride,” she says. Apart from the camaraderie amongst her colleagues who put up a brave front she also acknowledges the appreciation she received from her patients. She had received cards and flowers from them. “I am very sensitive. I get emotional when I see these acts of appreciation and I cherish these moments.” Nightingale’s year of nursing: nation’s nurses at the frontline during the Covid-19 era



Veerachandran Kugathasan District Child Rights Promotion Officer (CRPO) V. Kugathasan (45) is a frontline social worker in the child protection sector in Batticaloa. His work, to support institutionalised children, has to continue while adhering to the safety guidelines issued by the government. “But it is not always possible”, Kugathasan asserts, “I have to go on field visits to children’s homes to assess their situation, and coordinate with government officers and NGOs to support institutionalised children from broken families. Oftentimes social distancing is not easy in my line of work. Children need comfort, reassurance and guidance when transitioning from a difficult home.” The lockdown has increased cases of abuse, sexual abuse and child pregnancies in the local population. He couldn't just standby, “This is important work and children’s safety is a prime concern.” Kugathasan also feels there is little understanding among the general public about the essential work that children’s social care workers do. “If we don’t intervene during this lockdown, there will be drastic consequences to face. Some of these children don’t have an outlet to express themselves and live in extreme environments.” When they are psychologically affected or emotionally scarred, they will carry it for the rest of their lives. This could also lead to delinquency and they could become a social outcast as a result of it. At the end of each working day, he goes home to his family and kids. “Working outdoors all day means I am exposed more and I do worry that I might be taking the virus home. I'm doing everything diligently to protect myself in order to protect my family. We are doing all we can.” Kugathasan says working with children has always been his calling. “Their innocence inspires us to do good, and be better. They are pillars of our country in which the future is built upon, therefore, we must protect them in any circumstance.” He concludes by emphasising on the pandemic jeopardising children’s future and the need to protect and safeguard their wellbeing. Caption: Protecting children at the frontline!



Dr Minoli Erandathie De Silva Emergency Doctor, Colombo North Teaching Hospital-Ragama Clad in scrubs, Dr Minoli de Silva’s day starts as soon as she walks through the doors of the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU). She scans the waiting room gauging how crazy the day is going to be. She grabs her N95 mask, a visor, goggles, adorns her full PPE, and gets to work which typically ranges from 8-12 hour shifts. Her department ebbs and flows throughout the day, one minute it's slow and the next she has critically ill patients crashing at the same time, outcries of families, and she has to multi-task.“People come to us in the worst possible state,” she says, “and what makes it worthwhile is knowing that I can make them better. This is why I love working in the ER; the human connection you experience when you are there for someone, at a point when no one else can help them.” Being able to work at the frontline of a pandemic has been quite an accomplishment, she acknowledges. With the onset of the pandemic, she has to make decisions a lot quicker and work for longer. With the PPE, it gets even more difficult. “Within a few minutes, I start sweating profusely, it's insanely hot. My glasses fog up and the mask makes it harder to draw breaths. And I have to run around the ETU caring for patients. Even a simple task like inserting a cannula is ten times harder now,” she explains. The pandemic has put her in a precarious situation. This disease is different. “We were scared and that is a human thing. You are not scared for yourself, but you are scared for your families,” she said before adding that she lives with elderly parents. “My biggest fear was passing it on to them unknowingly. That guilt will be too much to bear,” she says. Healthcare workers like her were working under tremendous stress, with less equipment and inadequacies. But they weren't disheartened by it and still tried to deliver their best. “We took up the challenge without any hesitation. There's not a single patient we turned away. Even if you have Covid for a fact and if you come to me, I would do what’s necessary and look after you. I won’t let you die in my watch,” she says firmly, “and that's the mindset we work with in the emergency unit.” Caption: An ER doctor’s dedication



Mangala Dissanayake Vegetable Vendor One of the ripple effects of the outbreak has been the increase in people facing food insecurity. Among the countless remarkable people who engaged in an unrelenting fight against hunger is Mangala Dissanayake (54), a vegetable vendor. Widowed at a young age, and having no children, her sole purpose has been to support her mother and help the destitute with her earnings even before the pandemic. Although her life was upended, she decided to not let the crisis get the best of her and still wanted to continue her cause. During the outbreak, she worked with her uncle, delivering vegetables in a truck. She soon realised many families were fighting greater battles against Covid-19. “I met families who had no essentials delivered for days. They felt powerless and helpless not being able to stop their eroding situation,” she says, “at a time like this, our conversations with them, our reactions to their situation and our actions will make all the difference.” Mangala is not your average vegetable vendor. She was always known to go the extra mile. After witnessing the crippling situation of many individuals, she wanted to use her commission she gets from her uncle to support her cause. “I decided to prepare a few food parcels. It didn’t contain much, mostly just rice and boiled vegetables. But I knew this would be the only meal some people had for days.” Every day, she gets up an hour early to make 10 food parcels. That’s her target, she says. “This would mean I could feed 10 people a day. If every one of us could step up and support even just one individual, and help lighten their load in some way, our world would be a much better place to live in. I have learnt that these encounters where we improve somebody else’s life help enrich our own lives as well.” Caption: Battling food insecurity at the frontline!