An onlooker recounts a heroic act performed by a young girl.
The date was February 21st. It is between 6 p.m. and 6.15 p.m. Colombo Town Hall, or a bus stop in front of People’s Bank, near the Colombo Municipal Council. At that time, many people who have completed their duties for the day are moving around. Even though it wasn’t dark at the time, everyone was in a hurry. Another group of people waited for a bus on routes 138, 175, 125, 164, and 166. They are all exhausted from working since the morning. All of them want to get home as soon as possible. And they are all hoping to stay on the bus until they arrive at their destination. I, too, waited at that bus stop for the 164 bus.
While doing so, I frequently look at the Municipal Court because I enjoy the yield from the plants grown there. On that day, as usual, I was looking at the crops when I noticed something I couldn’t believe my eyes. A young woman grabs a young man and beats him by tying both of his hands. How could a young woman attack a young man in such a way?
Where does she get her incredible strength? My heart started to hum. The unique aspect is that the girl is one I’ve seen before. I’d seen her standing near the bus stop on other days, waiting for her boyfriend to meet her. My guessing tells me that she’s around 27 years old, with a stunning face that makes anyone who sees her look twice.
This young woman threw a 30-year-old man to the ground near the municipal hall grounds. This is clearly visible at the bus stop. The man, who fell to the ground after being attacked by the girl, is prostrated at her feet, moaning, ‘Please don’t hit me… Please don’t hit me…’. But she continues to hit him.
According to a bystander, this young man must have exposed his private parts to the young woman. That leads me to believe that this young man has previously committed such acts. It was also claimed that he had previously made young women uncomfortable by performing such acts.
However, a witness nearby stated that the young woman attacked him when he attempted to grab the young woman’s bag and flee. What actually occurred was that he attempted to take the girl’s bag.
However, shortly after the attack, the girl’s boyfriend arrived and was seen hitting the young man in question. However, all onlookers could see that the girl attacked the man who attempted to steal her bag with more zeal and strength than his attack. Despite having a large umbrella, she hit him with her bare hands.
The young man who attacked was a thin young man wearing long pants, a T-shirt, and rubber sandals. He collapsed on the ground and begged, “Don’t hit me, don’t hit me,” before sprinting towards the municipal hall grounds.
She had no intention of turning over the young suspect who had attempted to steal her bag to the police. She must have been pleased with herself for using her strength to subdue a thief.
In the meantime, a 164 bus arrived, and I boarded it. The bus was full at the time, so the girl and her boyfriend who were involved in the incident did not board it.
Except for one person who was nearby, no one else offered to help the young woman when she was in this situation. She had not expected such assistance from anyone. As a woman, I admired her self-assurance at the time. As a woman, I am susceptible to such incidents. In such a situation, this young woman’s example of facing the situation without fear is excellent.
In the face of these troublemakers and thieves, we frequently keep our mouths shut and bear the loss and fear on our own. However, this young woman faced the situation alone and took care of her own safety, setting a good example for the entire female generation.
Another noteworthy aspect of this incident should be mentioned. That is, the country’s security has deteriorated to the point where a young woman’s bag could be stolen in a densely populated area such as Colombo 07 or the heart of Colombo city. We believe that a plot of land near major police stations, where intelligence officers and members of the criminal investigation department frequently visit, should be a safer place.
Many people today believe that young women are naive. However, we must change that cultural otherness, which is incompatible with the current social system. Love and kindness are not only inherited by women. They are inherited equally by both sexes.
This recent incident near Colombo townhall serves as an example for many women in society. Young women riding public transportation buses are subjected to various forms of sexual harassment. Most women do not express their displeasure in such cases due to embarrassment. However, as women are being protected in this manner, such incidents are becoming more common. You, your mother, sister, or girlfriend may be harassed or sexually assaulted tomorrow. That is why we must cultivate the courage and strength in our hearts to speak up without fear when we see a mistake. Cry for injustice, speak out against injustice, and fight for it. You ladies have a right to it.
International Women’s Day is in just ten days. Women’s Day will be celebrated on a high note in our country again this year. On that day, various events will be held by governmental and non-governmental organisations advocating for women’s rights. But we’re still waiting for the government, non-governmental organisations, and women’s organisations to recognise the brave young woman who stood alone and tamed a young man who came to steal her belongings in the middle of a big city while also taking care of her own security.
