PressReader.com | ONE GIRL’S QUEST TO FIND HER ROOTS
ONE GIRL’S QUEST TO FIND HER ROOTS
Popi with several villagers in Rambodawatta area.
Popi Royal with her birth mother, Lechchami
Popi and her boy friend Adam with her birth mother
Popi was only 32-days-old when she was given to her foster parents.
Suranga Perera (R) helped Popi immensely in her search of birth mother
Beautiful, 19-year-old Popi Royal’s life might have seemed perfect to an outsider. A law student at the University of Manchester, she was brought up by loving British parents, Jenny and Cliff Royal. However, there was one thing missing in her life and her quest to find the missing piece of her life, brought her all the way to Sri Lanka from the UK.
Beautiful, 19-year-old Popi Royal’s life might have seemed perfect to an outsider. A law student at the University of Manchester, she was brought up by loving British parents, Jenny and Cliff Royal. However, there was one thing missing in her life and her quest to find the missing piece of her life, brought her all the way to Sri Lanka from the UK.
She had always been puzzled by the colour of her skin. The question why her skin was dark while her parents, relatives and even her school friends had fair complexions always nagged her mind. She had discussed her concern with her boyfriend, Adam. Determined to find answers to her questions she went to her parents. She inquired about this from her parents, adding the issue of her skin-colour had always bothered her. Realising that it was not wise to keep Popi in the dark about her roots, her parents disclosed the truth that she was adopted, along with the documents relating to her adoption.
She had always been puzzled by the colour of her skin. The question why her skin was dark while her parents, relatives and even her school friends had fair complexions always nagged her mind. She had discussed her concern with her boyfriend, Adam. Determined to find answers to her questions she went to her parents. She inquired about this from her parents, adding the issue of her skin-colour had always bothered her. Realising that it was not wise to keep Popi in the dark about her roots, her parents disclosed the truth that she was adopted, along with the documents relating to her adoption.
She had always been puzzled by the colour of her skin. The question why her skin was dark while her parents, relatives and even her school friends had fair complexions always nagged her mind. She had discussed her concern with her boyfriend, Adam. Determined to find answers to her questions she went to her parents. She inquired about this from her parents, adding the issue of her skin-colour had always bothered her. Realising that it was not wise to keep Popi in the dark about her roots, her parents disclosed the truth that she was adopted, along with the documents relating to her adoption.
Thus, it was revealed that baby Popi was given to a British couple who were on a vacation in the Ramboda area in Nuwaraeliya, 19 years ago. Her birth mother, who was living in extreme poverty, had no choice but to give her up to the childless British couple because she couldn’t afford to bring her up.
Thus, it was revealed that baby Popi was given to a British couple who were on a vacation in the Ramboda area in Nuwaraeliya, 19 years ago. Her birth mother, who was living in extreme poverty, had no choice but to give her up to the childless British couple because she couldn’t afford to bring her up.
Baby Popi had been given the name Kanchana in Sri Lanka. Glad that they finally had a child to call their own, the young couple took Kanchana back to their homeland where they named her Popi and gave her their surname, Royal. Treated no different than their own child, Popi was given all the comforts she wanted as well as unconditional love from her adoptive parents.
Baby Popi had been given the name Kanchana in Sri Lanka. Glad that they finally had a child to call their own, the young couple took Kanchana back to their homeland where they named her Popi and gave her their surname, Royal. Treated no different than their own child, Popi was given all the comforts she wanted as well as unconditional love from her adoptive parents.
After learning the truth about her true roots from her tearful parents, Popi was determined to find her birth mother whom she had not seen since she was a 32-day-old baby. After promising her adoptive parents that she would never forget them, Popi set out to find her family in Sri Lanka, with the blessing of Jenny and Cliff. Her only clue to finding her birth parents was the adoption document and a photograph taken when she was handed over to her British parents. However, it was not going to be an easy task locating a woman who had been photographed 19 years ago.
After learning the truth about her true roots from her tearful parents, Popi was determined to find her birth mother whom she had not seen since she was a 32-day-old baby. After promising her adoptive parents that she would never forget them, Popi set out to find her family in Sri Lanka, with the blessing of Jenny and Cliff. Her only clue to finding her birth parents was the adoption document and a photograph taken when she was handed over to her British parents. However, it was not going to be an easy task locating a woman who had been photographed 19 years ago.
An English lecturer at the Peradeniya University, Sumathy Sivamohan and her acquaintance Shashi Kumar helped Popi on her quest. Armed with the antiquated photo, Shashi Kumar set out to Rambodawatta tea estates in search of Lechchami, Popi’s birth mother. He managed to find not just one, but 29 women with the name of Lechchami in this area, proving the sheer difficulty of the task at hand.
Not giving up on the search, Popi also came to Sri Lanka with her boyfriend Adam and two of her friends. While residing in a hotel in Negombo she met Suranga Perera who was working at the hotel. Suranga Perera did a valuable service by acting as the translator and the coordinator of the search.
Following a lead, Popi and her group of helpers set out to Bluefleet Tea Estate in Rambodawatta which they learnt was where Popi’s birth mother had worked. Finally, after 19 years Lechchami met her daughter at the same place where she gave her up to the British couple.
Following a lead, Popi and her group of helpers set out to Bluefleet Tea Estate in Rambodawatta which they learnt was where Popi’s birth mother had worked. Finally, after 19 years Lechchami met her daughter at the same place where she gave her up to the British couple.
Thus, it was revealed that baby Popi was given to a British couple who were on a vacation in the Ramboda area in Nuwaraeliya, 19 years ago After learning the truth about her true roots from her tearful parents, Popi was determined to find her birth mother whom she had not seen since she was a 32-day-old baby. After promising her adoptive parents that she would never forget them, Popi set out to find her family in Sri Lanka
At this moment, tearful Lechchami hugged her daughter who had grown up to become a beautiful and intelligent young lady.
Even though language was a barrier to them, they both felt the special bond shared between a mother and a daughter.
After the emotional reunion Popi Royal said that she felt like she had been reborn to this world when she saw her birth mother’s face.
After the emotional reunion Popi Royal said that she felt like she had been reborn to this world when she saw her birth mother’s face.
Her birth mother, 48-year-old Kalingam Lechchami, explained the circumstances that led her to give up her baby daughter.
“I have three children and Kanchana (Popi) is the youngest,” she said. “While I was pregnant with her, her father passed away. I became helpless after that.”
“My two other children are also girls,” she added, trying to hide her tears. “Life had become extremely difficult for us. Therefore, after contemplating on Kanchana’s future, I decided to give her to the British couple.”
She also said that she had received no news about her daughter after Popi was taken to England.
“I suffered a lot emotionally, thinking about my youngest daughter. I am very happy to have gotten the chance to reunite with her.”
Illustrating to the world the powerful bond between a mother and daughter, Popi had said that she would lovingly care for her birth mother.
Popi says she is ecstatic that she now has not just one but two mothers to love her.
Even though language was a barrier to them, they both felt the special bond shared between a mother and a daughter
Additional reporting and pix by Suranga Rajanayake from Gampola