My parents moved into Hantana Housing Scheme in 1984. Some of their neighbors and friends still live at Hantana. Mr. Sidiqe and Kamali were close friends of my parents and remain my friends today. Sidiq is a retired civil servant, originally from Badulla, where he met Kamali. They have been residents of Hantana since the inception of the scheme. His children, Ishaan and Shama, were playmates of my son Roy when he lived my parents at Hantana before joining us in the States in 1987.
Sidiq and my father were among the first members of the welfare society which played an active role in those days. The society still exists but isn't as active now. Sidiqe still plays an important role in the society because no one knows the history of Hantana better.
Being absentee owners of our house at Hantana, Sidiqe has been of immense help to us in keeping our house going. He has supervised caretakers, collected the rent, and attended to repairs to the house.
Vishwa and Shalinee are also old friends. They lived in the house above mine and were my parents' nearest neighbors. They no longer live in that house and have moved to another, but within Hantana. They are also keepers of memories. When we met last month, they expressed alarm and sadness at the passing of many of the original residents of Hantana.
