As an eight year-old, he and his parents fled the Sri Lankan capital because Singhalese mobs were roaming the city, looking for Tamils like Renu to murder.
Saat berumur 8 tahun, ia dan orangtuanya lari dari ibu kota Sri Lanka karena preman Sinhala berkuasa di kota itu, mencari bangsa Tamil seperti Renu untuk dibunuh.