14 days of poems by Sikkim Mahinda Thero
on 07 February, 2010
Translation -
"Race is in trouble
Sinhala country has to be saved
Thinking how to do this
Oh my son is in bed"
This is a poem which is somewhat different from the poems I choose on the other days.
The struggle against the colonial power began in 1817 with the Uva Rebellion, from the UVA Wellassa province of Sri Lanka. The province got this name as it was believed that there were hundred thousand paddy fields cultivated in this land. During the fight the cultivations were destroyed, crops as well. Also a lot of Sinhalese died in the war.
In the 'Journal of Uva,' Herbert White, a British Government Agent in Badulla after the rebellion minuted:
"It is a pity that there is no evidence left behind to show the exact situation in Uva in terms of population or agriculture development after the rebellion. The new rulers are unable to come up to any conclusion on the exact situation of Uva before the rebellion as there is no trace of evidence left behind to come to such conclusions. If thousands died in the battle they were all fearless and clever fighters. If one considers the remaining population of 4/5 after the battle to be children, women and the aged, the havoc caused is unlimited. In short the people have lost their lives and all other valuable belongings. It is doubtful whether Uva has at least now recovered from the catastrophe."
(from wikipedia)
So with such wars in Sri Lanka, after about hundred years during the time of S Mahinda Thero the country had a lot of problems. Also the British government at that time was not an easy opponent to fight with. This must the reason why S. Mahinda Thero wrote this poem. From the lines "The country has to be saved, my son is in bed thinking how to do serve the country" what I feel is that he has been trying to urge the people by saying something like, its not worth being aside and thinking of the damage they cause, but you must go and save the country.
References -
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