YWCA Hostel at Union Place, Colombo 02.
Rohan Wickremasinghe
Young Women's Christian Association owns a Hostel at Union Place,
Colombo 02. This is situated in front of Fentons Limited. It is
necessary the authorities who have the responsibility for this conduct
its affairs properly. It has to be done with due diligence. Specially
there should be a code of conduct that apply to those who are using the
hostel. Unless there is a systematic administration in place it may
result in problems.
The girls who are members of this hostel often spend time during odd
hours in front of the main wall. Also it is known that they roam in the
area during odd hours. The recent tragedy that took place at the hostel
managed by church authorities at Fussel's Lane in Colombo 06 should
be an eye opener to administrators. There a boy who had got emotionally
disturbed entered the women's hostel mid afternoon, poured himself
with petrol and set on fire. It was too late when the Wellawatte Police
arrived. There too the hostel was poorly administered and often girls
were staying out side with boys.
A similar tragedy should never be repeated elsewhere. It is sad to see
the plight of girls who are boarded in this hostel by their parents and
loved ones. One wonders whether there would be any decent hostel in
Colombo at all. YWCA being a reputed organization has a huge
responsibility towards parents and loved ones. Providing a hostel
service is something like a trustee service. On behalf of another you
have under your protection someone. Therefore in such instances it is
important to give anticipated service to them. A good example in this
regard is the way the school hostels are managed.