On May 8, State Minister of Highways Siripala Gamlath travelled from Polonnaruwa to Colombo to attend the meeting scheduled to be held at Temple Trees the next day to mark the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Recalling the events of May 9, Gamlath said already a large number of people had gathered at Temple Trees when he arrived that morning. They were unaware and oblivious to the tragic events that would take place later that day. Though obstacles, challenges and threats are not unknown to Gamlath, he said the loss of a friend that day has left him shocked and deeply saddened.
“Following the meeting I came back to my private residence in Battaramulla at 12.30 p.m. MPs Amarakeerthi Atukorale and Thilak Rajapakshe joined me for lunch. Atukorale left at around 1.30 p.m. But even by then, we had no inkling of the violence that was occurring across the country.
The situation near Temple Trees and Galle Face was being aired on one private television channel. I came to Colombo alone for the meeting but around five others were accompanying MP Atukorale. It is under these circumstances that he met a tragic fate in Nittambuwa that day” he said.
Hearing that Atukorale had run into trouble at the hands of a mob in Nittambuwa, Gamlath said he called DIG Laksiri Wijesena requesting help on behalf of the MP. “But in minutes I was informed the Police could not reach the location as around 2000 people had gathered there. We kept attempting to find ways to rescue him but 30 minutes later we received the tragic news that our friend had been killed in a most brutal manner,” he said.
Gamlath said to this day he has found it difficult to come to terms with Atukorale’s death. “We were close friends and he was always with me. The previous week he was in Colombo and stayed at my residence during that time. He was a good man that rendered a great service to his community. He had more to contribute to the country. His demise is a loss to the Polonnaruwa District as well as the country” he said.
But more troubling news was to reach Gamlath on the day. As he watched television and received updates on social media about the violent incidents happening across the country, he also received a message that a mob had gathered outside his house in Giritale, Polonnaruwa.
He said despite the events of the day, he firmly believed his supporters would stand with him. However, he says the mob managed to torch and destroy not only his house but this strong belief as well.
“I never imagined my house would be attacked. I even told my family it is unlikely it would happen. Therefore I did not request any protection for them. But a few months before despite my refusals, the Police had already stationed extra officers at my house. Because of this, I was told on the day around 25 - 30 Policemen were already at my house on the day including the OIC of the Minneriya Police as well as others. Even then my house and office were set fire to and destroyed,” he said.
The mob had first set fire to Gamlath’s office. “When it did not go up in flames they had put the items onto the road and then set them on fire. Next, they had forced their way into my house and used a tipper truck to break down the back door. They had used tires and petrol to then set it on fire” he said.
Highly organised
Gamlath said the attack on his house was highly organised due to the findings following the incident. “They had fashioned petrol bombs out of bottles which were sealed. These are not things anyone can do in an instant. That is why I say the attack was organised” he said.
Gamlath said despite the house being destroyed, there was no loss of life as his family had managed to flee. But the effects of the day remain with them.
“That incident left my wife and children in shock and fear. I did not believe the people I served would do this to me. They had even prevented the fire brigade from reaching my home. Though the Police had finally managed to get it through by then it was too late”, he said.
According to Gamlath, despite calling the Air Force and many other Government agencies to request help, it was not forthcoming. He said if the Air Force and Army camps in Giritale had acted, they could have prevented these violent acts carried out by a group of around 200 - 300 people. But with no orders from the top, they had not come to his aid. “That is why things spiralled out this way leading to so much destruction,” he said.
According to him, the Police have since nabbed 54 vehicles and 60 - 70 suspects they believe are connected to the attack on his house. They have been bailed out while around 20 - 22 vehicles have also been released.
“The case was taken up in court for the first time recently. The District Secretariat carried out the damage estimation. The destroyed house remains as such. I built it way before joining politics after working hard as a businessman. It is a business that has been in existence for over 40 years. I began in 1982 and since 1983 I have been paying income taxes for it contrary to the belief that politicians evade paying taxes. I have never taken any tax breaks.
Everything I have, I have worked hard for. I first began living in the house that was destroyed in 1997. I was born in Sevagama around 24 km from Giritale. I feel if I had lived in that village this would not have happened as we had strong connections to those living there. We moved to Giritale as it was closer to my business and because it was easier to have my main office after I joined politics” he said.
Gamlath said he isn’t disappointed in politics and believes this is its true nature. “Despite C.P de Silva’s great service to Polonnaruwa on all fronts when he lost the elections the people did not even allow him to set out of his house.
Some people swept up in various political trends and currents tend to behave in this manner at times. Therefore no matter how much we serve them, incidents such as this can take place”, he said.
The second in a family of eight children, Gamlath’s father was an Army Officer during Sri Lanka’s colonial years. Receiving 8 acres from the Government after Independence, the senior Gamlath had chosen to live in Polonnaruwa where Siripala Gamlath was born.
After schooling, Gamlath engaged in agriculture going on to become a successful businessman when he was invited by Maithripala Sirisena to join politics.
Despite his initial displeasure Gamlath said he entered politics due to Sirisena’s insistence. He entered Parliament in 2004 and said he is pleased he was able to support former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his efforts to end Sri Lanka’s long-drawn battle against terroism.
“Our houses would have been lost way before had Rajapaksa not ended the battle against terrorism.
The people have forgotten this past. But I am glad I was able to serve a politician who saved this country,” he said.
Despite the popular belief that politicians have only worked to destroy this country, Gamlath says it is normal for people to have various opinions and beliefs. “The former President rendered a great service to combat Covid-19. The Government was forced to spend excessively on these efforts. The whole world is facing an economic crunch.
Difficulties faced
Therefore it is not unusual for Sri Lanka to face, the same. Some are using the difficulties faced by the people to achieve their own narrow political ends. Youth who have no knowledge about the past of these groups were misled resulting in the May 9 events,” he said.
Refusing to be defeated by these incidents, the now State Minister of Highways Gamlath is already looking to the future in the hopes of developing the country’s highway systems. “The development of the highways will invariably lead to the development of the country.
The road system has already been developed where our products can be easily transported to the port and airport. A lot has been spent on developing our roads leading to the development of our country. It must be further developed so that any location in the country can be reached in a matter of 1.5 hours. It will be an obstacle due to the current economic climate but I am pleased I can carry these responsibilities under a senior and creative politician such as Minister Bandula Gunawardena” he said.
