By Jamie Salter
Berwick resident Nayanthi Rajapakse was worried sick when her non-verbal, autistic daughter Liliana went missing in the blink of an eye last week.
Five year old Liliana was riding her scooter to the local playground ahead of her mother when she disappeared at about 7.15pm.
Mrs Rajapakse immediately started searching for Liliana, along with her elder daughter Yeshani and her husband Sapumal, who came home from work to join the search.
After about 15 minutes of their fruitless efforts, the family decided to phone triple zero.
Mrs Rajapakse said she was deeply concerned for her child’s safety.
“I was very worried because she has level three autism and can’t say her name or where she lives,“ she said.
“She attends Officer Specialist School and it’s school holidays, so she’s a bit upset because she normally likes the routine.
“The police arrived at my house and my husband and elder daughter were leaving their number with locals.“
Along with police, about 50 Berwick community members rallied to help search for Liliana.
“We didn’t know anyone personally but they were looking for about an hour, asking other people if they had seen her and looking at the local shopping complex,“ Mrs Rajapakse said.
After what felt like a lifetime for the family, Liliana was found safe and well at an unknown neighbour’s house near the playground at around 8.30pm.
“I was told she was given food and looked after inside the house,“ Mrs Rajapakse said.
Police attended the residence and Liliana was brought home by Yeshani and Sapumal.
“I was so relieved when she came home,“ Mrs Rajapakse said.
The Rajapakse family have lived on Strathavan Drive, Berwick for the past six years and said they were very grateful to their neighbours.
Mrs Rajapakse said finding Liliana was a big community effort.
“I want to thank the people who supported me to find Liliana,“ she said.
“Our neighbourhood is quiet, calm and supportive.“
