For the first time in my life I felt the fear of death | Sunday Observer

For the first time in my life I felt the fear of death

15 January, 2023

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Colombo district MP Jagath Kumara says he visited Temple Trees on May 9, 2022 after receiving an invitation from the former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s office for the event held to bid farewell to him. Kumara then headed to his office in Thalangama and engaged in various work there till evening. But as chaos erupted across the country, Kumara said the violence and the curfew imposed left him unable to leave the office.

Recalling his experiences on the day, Kumara said a large group gathered at the Thalangama junction and were shouting and attacking others. “They were stopping vehicles, checking and attacking them. The same incidents were unfolding in Malabe and Pelawatta. Several of my secretaries and security officers were with me at my office. I called the OIC of the Thalangama Police and asked him to put a stop to these acts, especially at the Thalangama junction. But he said it was impossible as the crowd was too large. I asked if he could provide security to the area my office was located but he refused this as well. I then called the head of the Army complex near my office. I asked them to control the situation but he said they had not received the necessary permission or instructions.

I asked if he would be able to provide security if my office was attacked. He said he was unsure as he cannot take any action without permission. I heard around 300 - 400 people were preparing to head to my office. After discussing with my security officers we decided to leave the office at once,” he said.

Kumara says a navy officer who was a friend of his had sent a vehicle to pick him up. On the way, the MP witnessed many acts of violence. Assaults and damage to property were a few among them. “If I had taken a vehicle of my own I would have been in grave danger. Five minutes after I left my office, the mob arrived and began the attack. The CCTV system was destroyed as well as the windows and other properties. All the equipment and documents were destroyed as well. They had attempted to set fire to the office but had been stopped by the neighbours,” he said.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has since nabbed several suspects involved in the incident.

“Two of the suspects were students from the Engineering faculty of the University of Colombo. In their statements, they had admitted they were part of the group that attacked Seetha Arambepola’s house as well. They had then returned to Galle Face. The majority of the group were Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and Frontline Socialist Party members,” he said.

Day’s events

Kumara said the day’s events reminded him of the dark days during the years 1988 and 1989.

Profile
* Name - Jagath Kumara Sumithra Arachchi
* Place of birth - Battaramulla
* Education - Battaramulla Indrajothi Vidayala and Kotte Ananda Sastralaya
* Political milestones
2002 - Elected to Kaduwela Pradeshiya Council
2009 - Elected to the Western Provincial Council
2022 - Elected as a Member of Parliament

“I was a student back then and do not have any direct experiences. I have heard of how people were killed and set on fire. This is the first time I felt fear for my life. I had never felt so afraid due to the behaviour of the mobs. It was evident they had planned this for a while and bided their time and did not occur due to an attack on Gota GoGama,” he said. He says the violence that took place near the private residence of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was a prior test and an act of instigation. “On May 9 they launched this plan,” he added.

He said an extremist element misused the many sufferings of the people and attempted to grab power through it. Kumara believes the group would have assassinated many MPs to come into power but this attempt was thwarted. The MP directly blames the JVP and the FLSP for the day’s events claiming the parties provided advice to the group that carried out the many acts of violence.

Kumara received his initial education at the Battaramulla Indrajothi Vidyalaya before entering Kotte Ananda Sastralaya thereafter. A graduate of Commerce, Kumara was the treasurer of the Kotte Naga Viharaya Temperance Society. Joining the Samurdhi program in 1994 changed his course in life.

Samurdhi program

“The Samurdhi program gave us youth the opportunity to shoulder responsibilities and face many obstacles. There are several MPs, Local Government councillors and chairmen who had their start in the Samurdhi program,” he says extending his gratitude to his teacher Kusuma Rajapaksa who taught him politics. He says he utilised this knowledge practically from the Kaduwela Pradeshiya Sabha.

According to him though the politicians have been blamed for the current crisis, he says it has occurred because people have lived an unsuitable lifestyle and consumption of imported goods. “We need dollars for imports but our dollar revenue is insignificant. We lived on loans. Incorrect decisions by the former President on chemical fertilisers also added to this issue though his intention was good. Had he listened to our concerns this wouldn’t have happened,” he said.

“The youth were at the forefront of the citizen’s struggle. It is not unfair. Even I would note there was no victory without a struggle in letters I drafted for trade union work. But struggles must stay within limits. You cannot use the lives of people for a struggle or by killing, attacking or destroying property. The youth were misused for the political aims of others. All insurrections in the country only took it backwards. If a country is to move forward criticism of politicians will not suffice. Everyone must do their duty,” he said.

“This country can be rebuilt. The battle against terrorism ended due to the leadership of Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa. There may have been some weaknesses but they led this country well. The current President is working hard to rebuild the country now. Everyone must support him. Political parties must support the Government. If the Government collapses it means the country will collapse. The people have the right to change the Government but it must be through a vote. Let the Government work. Everyone must understand this,” he said.

Comments