By Udara Soysa –
Udara Soysa
Alcoholism in Sri Lanka is a real issue affecting the lives of thousands. Drunk on alcohol and arrogance many in road treat others with contempt and sheer disregard. Uncle Nihal who accompanied his family to Nuwara Eliya is such reckless individual.
I parked my car in a narrow car park which had minimum space in a small restaurant in Nuwara Eliya – then entered uncle Nihal with his two watti ammas.
“How dare you park near our vehicle – get it out,” he screamed with an over powering alcohol breath.
I was about to take my very first bite of the food I bought. The drunk uncle Nihal screamed non-stop.
I held up the situation for few minutes trying to recollect what exactly is going on – I calmly explained to the gentleman that he has enough space to get into his vehicle.
“You are disrespecting me and you are breaking the law,” he screamed. I explained to him that I am am a lawyer and no laws had been broken and he had more than a feet between cars. In his drunk state he insists that I should move the vehicle out despite him having ample space to move his.
I held my ground for few more minutes before his crew started jumping into the fray. Two ladies jumped onto the scene which resembles a scene from pettah market which indeed even put the most foul mouthed vatti Amma to shame.
Shortly the entire crew of drunk uncle Nihal had joined the fray with F bombs thrown all around the place.
A humble brigadier of Sri Lankan army intervened the situation by moving his Ford truck outside clearly space for myself to re-park the vehicle.
“I won” grinned the drunk uncle Nihal. All he wanted to do was to disturb myself from eating since he felt that I parked the car too close to him.
Drunk minds are not rationale I realized – but this episode made me realize the existence of a group of people equatable to scum of earth who have no humanity upon few sips of alcohol. The saddest part is not such drunkards but the family members who enable such rowdies.
I called the police during the episode but I could not get through – maybe I should had been persistent. I was tired from driving from Haputale to Nuwara Eliya with my wife and didn’t want to push further: I believe that the authorities need to address the issue of alcoholism among drivers to ensure that such happenings will not continue.
Monica / December 27, 2017
Given due respects to the writer, having one foot or slightly more between cars, isn’t enough space to get in & out of a vehicle, after opening the door? Unless of course more than a foot meant about 2.
However, as correctly stated, DUI should not be tolerated under any circumstance!
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Burt / December 28, 2017
Most guys could manage with a foot and not scratch the other vehicle either. But very few women could.
Not complaining but that is how they are built.
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Percy / December 28, 2017
This is a form of road rage which unfortunately is on the increase everywhere. I think that when an irrational person confronts you, the wisest option is not to exacerbate the issue further but to retreat and make him feel happy. If there are law enforcement people at hand, you can take a more aggressive stand, but self preservation should be the keyword. There is no point in winning an argument and losing your life!
In this case I agree with Monica that a width of one foot is inadequate to open a door and enter a car, so one need to be reasonable as well. Also perhaps being a lawyer does not give you the right to lay down the law.That is for law enforcement people.
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K.Pillai / December 27, 2017
The Uncle Nihal obviously has strong political connections – in both camps!
As a lawyer, Udara should have known that calling the police is a waste of time.
Imagine the sort of humiliations the ordinary Lankans put up with
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Jim softy / December 27, 2017
All talk about issues and not the faulty system. Some one here in CT was comparing 1800’s USA with Modern Sri lanka, what a way to destroy 2600 old civilization. Ask Arjun Aloesius, Johnston Fernando and many politicians from both the UNP and SLFP about ownership or part ownership.
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Burt / December 28, 2017
LOL
What has this 2600 old civilization you speak of really given to the world?
Sunday Sil: Monday Kill?
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Native Vedda / December 28, 2017
Jim softy Dimwit
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Do you “think” there had never been civilisation before 2600 years?
The Buddha waved his magic wand and created thrice blessed land.
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Tamil from the north / December 28, 2017
ado Jimba shitty, just shut up you gamarala illiterate bugger.
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Burt / December 28, 2017
Leaving the episode you had to face aside for the moment: drunk driving is a major issue even in the west with stiff penalties. Education and stiff penalties financial and suspension of licences are the only way to go. Vehicle in the hands of a drunk is worse than a gun.
Hearing how the women behaved liquor seem to be just this guys excuse. Thankfully you had a cooler head otherwise this guy could have got his teeth kicked-in.
Just think why god did not create donkeys with dangerous horns and laugh it off.
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Jim softy / December 28, 2017
Burt the Cartoon character. ALcoholism is a habit introduced by Colonial christians. Study the old Sinhale. YOu Tamil know only the Sri lanka.
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shankar / December 28, 2017
I normally carry two knives of equal size with me.When these jokers start i just throw them one and say lets sort it out like what real men should without shouting like women.Needless to say they vanish in double quick time with me hooting after them that they are women and don’t have any balls.
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Percy / December 28, 2017
That’s easily said on a posting here, but in actual fact people who brag about what they WILL or COULD do are the first to run when they face imminent danger. Anyway carrying weapons is not something that should be encouraged.
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shankar / December 28, 2017
percy
not will or could do but what i have done.Example in one instance in a western country the white fellow ran but came back with a long pole thinking that he can hit me but he got a shock when i threw the knife deliberately narrowly missing his face.When i lifted the second one he ran off permanently.I have had a fascination for knives since small and i can hit a apple on your head without injuring you provided you don’t move.Btw it is not bragging but normal when you see the gentlemanly way they used to duel in the good old days before the stupid laws came.You take a certain number of paces walking in the opposite directions and turn and fire.iam just stating a fact that you just give a fair fight,just like in the boxing ring same weight class for both parties,nothing to brag about.
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Percy / December 29, 2017
Brave man Shankar. Continue to dream!
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shankar / December 29, 2017
percy
nothing to with bravery mate,and everything to do with self preservation.Even some women carry capsicun spray nowadays in western countries i believe.It is a sad state of affairs what the world has come to nowadays.Police are useless at prevention.They are only good at coming after the event and arresting.Just because they arrest somebody it does not bring back my life or limbs.
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Paramanatha / December 28, 2017
Don’t you all know that in Sri Lanka people should be polite and courteous with drunkards? As more and more people are under the influence of liquor in Sri Lanka. Uncle Nihal is one of them. He becomes the instant hero among his ladies whenever he is drunk and ably supported by them with the barrage of filthy words. Thank god, arrack bottle is the savior for people like Uncle Nihal and his ladies. So arrack companies should produce more quantity of bottles to make the Sri Lankans drunkards. Don’t you all know we are 100% literate? Therefore government and police should not take any action to ban consuming alcohol in public places. Does Uncle Nihal is still a hero or become zero.
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Haputale Sinnaiah / December 28, 2017
..”I am a lawyer and no laws had been broken and he had more than feet between cars..” . What a pathetic story by a looser; hey fellow how can he open the door and get into his vehicle specially with women (two watti ammas with big girth). Who gives s..t , about the profession, you should have parked at a suitable spot with enough space. You are worst than the drunkard bastards on the road. Your profession has not given a license to do whatever you want to do.
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Samantha Kanapathy / December 30, 2017
You seems suffering from depression so get help – are you an offspring of the drunk uncle Nihal?
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Xfernando / December 29, 2017
That’s why I left Sri Lanka…
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Percy / December 30, 2017
XFernando
So you have left SRI Lanka.That is not only a great loss but a tragedy. And you left because the law and order situation is getting so bad. ? What can the country do to get you back XF. For my part I will move heavenand earth.tohave you back even if it means that I have to exterminate few at the top.
[Edited out]
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BornAgain / December 29, 2017
Was Uncle Nihal fat? He must be connected to politicians. If he is fat, 2 feet will not be enough. Did you not know politicians are superior to you ordinary people? This is Sinhala-Buddhist Land of ancient civilization. Sunday Sil; Monday Kil . Kariella Commissions, Basil uncle commissions. Blessed three times by Buddha who apparently flew in defying laws of gravity. Accept Jesus and be saved.
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Percy / December 30, 2017
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