Officers' Mess

Officers' Mess

Officers Mess is a story of resilience, betrayal, courage and faith. It is an inimitable recounting of the author's experiences as a young girl during a turbulent chapter of Sri Lankan (Ceylon) history. Set against the backdrop of the attempted coup d'état in 1962, it delves into the social and political events that shaped the lives of her unforgettable family. When she was 10 years old, her father and uncle, both majors in the Ceylon Army, were imprisoned and tried for conspiring to overthrow the nationalist government of Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the world's first female prime minister. This memoir focuses on a critical moment in history - a time that might have changed the course of the nation had the coup succeeded. It offers international readers a unique perspective on post-colonial conflicts and their far-reaching impact on families. Exploring her family's Burgher (descendants of the British, Dutch, and Portuguese) history and culture, she sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of Sri Lanka's history, providing a new dimension to the literature on the island's complex past. Sandra was born in Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) and lived there until she came to the United States on a theater scholarship. She received her BA from Hollins College in Virginia, an MA in English from Columbia University and her Juris Doctor degree from St. John's University in New York.After she wrote her first book on the legal rights of minors, she practiced international custody law in New York. Her second book, Officers' Mess follows her family's life through three decades, reflecting on events leading up to the three-year imprisonment and trial of her father and uncle for treason. Besides writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, listening to the Beatles and imagining a world full of peace and love.ISBN