Wednesday 20th April 2022

The political situation in Sri Lanka is deteriorating daily, and the civil unrest growing, with demonstrations and riots across the country, so it was not felt safe to open the Tea Leaf Vision schools today. I arranged to meet Donald and Ladushan at GROW to give them some help, but on my way there in a tuk-tuk, I received a call from Donald to tell me that their business had been forced to close too. 

As I returned through Nuwara Eliya, there was a large procession of people demonstrating against the Rajapaksa government, angered by shortages of basic goods and fuel, spiralling inflation which has hiked up the costs of essential goods enormously, and daily power cuts. These are extremely troubling times for Sri Lanka, and I can only see the situation getting worse.

In contrast to the misery of the current political situation, I took a photo of some gorgeous flowers that are everywhere here, as a simple reminder of triumph in adversity. I spent a long time with Yad, the Director of Tea Leaf Vision, this afternoon, which is enough to lift anyone's spirits, as she is one of the most remarkable young women, I think I have ever met. Her house has beautiful views.

On my way home, I stopped off to see a doctor, as I had a nasty insect bite yesterday on the middle finger of my left hand, which is very inflamed and painful. I was seen in a few minutes and prescribed 4 different tablets and some anti-biotic cream. It was 800LKR (£2) to see the doctor and 1,300LKR (just over £4) for all the medicines. I felt humbled that I could meet my own simple medical need so cheaply.





















 


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