Defying El Niño!
It’s an implicit fact disguised as an explicit opinion that many Sri Lankans feel the year is nearing the holidays by mid-September. Perhaps it’s the anticipation of Christmas and the New Year or maybe there is that slightest chill in the air – but the last four months of any year are usually more fun!
Yet, Sri Lanka this time around is cautioned to be wary of whatever chaos El Niño may bring at year end. Whether it’s a drought and power outages or cyclones and landslides, the resilience of Sri Lankans needs to be power-ed up (yes, once again!) for us to keep our smiles intact.
If any nation knows how to keep its spirits high when toil and trouble threaten to break down the doors, it’s Sri Lanka. So we need to smile a bit wider and laugh a little louder while fuelling our ability to support each other through life’s trials and tribulations.
We may very well be sweltering during the hot days and nights; and in case our reservoirs don’t have sufficient water to gene-rate electricity, let’s drink more refreshing thambili and jugs of revitalising jeevani to keep ourselves cool.
Let’s spread our hospitality not only to those we know but also those who may feel the heat much more… out on the streets. And we must remember our furry friends who will need additional comfort to keep their coats cool.
And if the year-end rains hit us hard like they did last year, let’s go beyond donning our pirith nool or placing umbrellas over statues of St. Joseph; instead, let’s reactivate our helplines and volunteer networks – and let’s not forget to ensure proper garbage disposal to reduce the risk of urban flooding.
Above all, let’s maintain a positive outlook.
After all, we’ve got Sri Lanka’s tour of England to keep cricket lovers (and that’s well nigh all Sri Lankans!) glued to the TV in September and the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series to keep us entertained in -October.
It’s true that the weekends have claimed our poya days for the foreseeable future – but then again, who needs official vacation dates when we have a holiday spirit that’s always switched on?
So dare we tell El Niño to bring it on, even as we earnestly hope it doesn’t? Either way, Sri Lankans will rally around our unwritten tagline of naeva gilunath ban chun (‘the band plays on even if the ship is sinking’)… and yes, keep smiling!
