![]() ![]() Younger brother Chuti was very different to Shirley, short and dark. Shirley had two elder brothers and one younger brother. Taking my friendship with Shirley a notch further, I visited his home in Nagahawatte, making friends with his brothers and sisters. Youngsters move up the friendship ladder fast while increasing trust between them. He and Shirley were into boxing, becoming sparring partners in their spare time in the Catholic club. Out of these four, only Rienzie had a steady job, working in the navy as a sailor. They started hanging out with me and my other friends regularly while continuing to hang out on their own at their favourite jaunt. ![]() Shirley’s friends Merril, Rienzie and Nimal became friends with me. I marvelled at his bravery at a great time of adversity. ![]() Now with that episode, Shirley and I became friends. Shirley was now a local hero, admired by many. He wore his bandage and part shaved head as a mark of honour and valour. Post that incident, Shirley remained bandaged over a month. Despite his injury, Shirley was unrelenting and wanted to fight. Shirley’s friends tied a cloth to his head to control the bleeding. Blood all over, Shirley kept on chasing the rival gang along the road. He did not relent, bravely picked a sword from one of his gang mates despite his injury. Chaos resulted, Shirley was bleeding profusely from his head, soaking blood from his long hair and into his body. It was an act of cowardice, hitting from behind. Then suddenly, a retreating gang member from Kiribathgoda hit Shirley with an empty coke bottle. The rival gang had made their presence known and were getting ready to retreat and leave. The initial confrontation did not lead to any hard violence, despite youthful bravado and egging on between the two gangs, at least initially. He was too street smart and too tough for my liking. I was cautious, keeping my distance from Shirley because we were like chalk and cheese. Despite his popularity with the youth, I was not Shirley’s friend, just an acquaintance. Shirley was lean, athletic and took care of his body. He participated in all sports, wrestling, boxing in the local Catholic club. He was regularly seen in the main junction, hanging out with friends. He was a frequent visitor to the local church compound. Leading the home gang was Shirley, unafraid of confrontation and conflict. Street violence was way beyond me, and I watched this drama from the side of the road, taking refuge in a shop front, watching my first ever street fight in real-time with a bit of naivety and curiosity. While they were confronting each other, they brandished their weapons, sticks and swords. I watched the two gangs going head-to-head, initially in shouting matches. Then, as anticipated the rival gang arrived in my village making their presence known, challenging the local lads. The carefree soul I was, I happened to be at the local road junction on that evening. There was a rumour that a confrontation seeking revenge and a riot was imminent. Everyone in my village anticipated retribution from their rivals. Some lads from my home village had beaten a few fellows from Kiribathgoda a few days earlier. A gang rivalry existed between Dalugama, my home village and its neighbouring, more affluent suburb, Kiribathgoda. Village lads in their prime had to invent contention, friction and rivalries, just to be relevant in a pack mentality. Myfirst impressions of Shirley Fonseka were from a violent episode. ![]()
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