Sujith Yatawara
Sujith was born in the ancient town of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka. His early childhood was especially difficult. He grew up without a family, without a home, and without any possessions. He worked at the fish market just to get by. As a boy, he’d made up his mind that he would transform his future.
In his vigorous search for opportunities to change his life, he went to work in Kuwait, where he found a job as a house boy, and where he met Jiani, who would later become his wife. In spite of the obstacles set in the path of work migrants in Kuwait, Sujith held on for two years before returning to Sri Lanka.
Sujith and Jiani married in 2009 and had a boy and a girl. But their financial strife continued, and with no other options, Sujith went to work on a farm in severe conditions that resembled slavery. Determined, he continued to fight to sustain his family, searching for new solutions.
In 2014, he came upon an opportunity to work in Israel. He borrowed money from his uncle to pay for the trip and banished himself from his beloved family in order to forge a path out of poverty for them. Every month he’d send his salary home, saving money for his children’s future education, and keeping only the bare minimum he required in order to spend the occasional weekend in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.
Sujith spent nine years working in Israel, and only went back home once. He maintained his relationships with his wife and children over the phone. They spoke every evening, for nine years.
When he came to Be’eri, Sujith worked first with Arik Mor, then with the Zohar family, and in the last four years of his life he cared for Haim. He was a dedicated worker who operated with Buddhist solitude and modesty. Responsible and punctual, he made sure Haim received his medication on time and was very quick and professional in operating machinery. He seemed to have plenty of experience in facing challenges, and was often able to predict them. “Sujith was an angel,” Erga said about him. “He loved Haim, and we loved him.”
Sujith appreciated everyday life on the kibbutz. He liked strolling through the fields, picnicking with friends, watching television, playing videogames, talking to his family, and talking to people in general. He was like a big brother to the other caregivers on the kibbutz. Fernando, who worked with him, said Sujith liked to joke around and laugh like a kid. He loved to smile, and smiling helped transform his mood so that he could cope with his longing for home. Sujith planned to return to Sri Lanka and live with his family in the new house they built with the money he’d sent them.
On October 7th, he called his wife at 7:48 in the morning. She was surprised to hear from him so early. She heard rockets or gunfire in the background, and he said, “There’s a little more than usual today.” He wanted to go to the dining hall for some breakfast, but she asked him to stay inside. They chatted about the house they were building, as well as other everyday topics.
His older sister, who lives in Jordan, heard about the attack, and tried calling him later in the morning. He didn’t pick up the phone, but sent her a voice message, whispering, “I can’t pick up. There’s a war going on. I’ll call later.”
He never got a chance to call her back. As time went by, his wife became more and more worried. People thought he may have been kidnapped. His daughter posted a video online, calling for his release. In the video she says, “To the President and the Prime Minister, I’m approaching you with regards to my father’s disappearance. Nine years ago, my father moved to Israel to work as a caregiver. He returned to Sri Lanka for a month, after which he went back to Israel. We haven’t seen him in six years. That morning, we tried to call him, but he didn’t pick up. We tried and tried and tried. We are very worried and afraid for my father’s safety. I’m pleading with you to help track down my father immediately. Thank you.”
For a month, Sujith was presumed missing, possibly held hostage in Gaza. But on November 3rd, the Sri Lankan embassy announced that his body had been identified, using his children’s DNA samples. After a religious ceremony in Petah Tikva, his body was sent to Sri Lanka for burial.
Sujith left behind a wife and two children—fifteen-year-old Stoli and eleven-year-old Sahas. His life was cut short in a land far away from home, in a terror attack that did not spare migrant workers who found themselves embroiled in the conflict.
May his memory be a blessing.
