May 9, 2022 will be remembered as a dark day in Sri Lanka’s political history due to the destruction of many private and public properties by a group that spread violence and terror throughout the country under the guise of a peaceful struggle. Among the properties destroyed on the day was a private residence and office belonging to the current Minister of Urban Development and Housing, Prasanna Ranatunga.
Hailing from a family with a history in Sri Lankan politics, Ranatunga had experienced a similar incident as a 10-year-old. Ranatunga’s father was none other than Sri Lanka Freedom Party stalwart Reggie Ranatunga. Joining the party in 1962, he first entered Parliament in 1989 from the Gampaha district. Ranatunga and his wife Nandani Ranatunga, a teacher at Ananda College in Colombo were parents to Dhammika, Arjuna, Nishantha. Prasanna, Sanjeewa and Ruwan.
Arjuna and Sanjeewa went on to become cricketers while Arjuna captained Sri Lanka’s national team that clinched the world cup in 1996. Later while Arjuna also joined politics as Prasanna the political ideologies of the two brothers have been starkly different. Taking the path set by his father, Prasanna has managed to remain within politics to this day.
Prasanna Ranatunga, who came to Parliament as an Opposition MP representing the Gampaha district, won a record victory by securing 384,448 votes in the 2015 parliamentary elections. Getting elected to the Western provincial council in 1993, Ranatunga serving in the council for nearly two decades has been able to render a great service to his community as well as develop the Western provincial council.
According to Ranatunga the house and office destroyed by the violent mobs on May 9 held great importance to his political life.
“The house set on fire was the oldest house belonging to our family. Inherited from my grandfather this house was considered our ancestral home,” he said. According to Ranatunga, the house was gifted to him by his father following his marriage.
“The house was in a dilapidated state at the time and only the front section was safe to live in. My wife, three children and I lived in this section,” he said. While his wife and children moved to Colombo later, Ranatunga says she was of the opinion the house should be renovated.
“Even then we did not do any major renovations. In fact, the renovated section resembled a school building. We continued to use the front section and fixed up the house when possible depending on the funds at hand.” he said.
According to Ranatunga, the villagers supported building the house by providing labour. “I built it mainly because I need a place to work for the people. An open hall was also constructed behind the two-storey office. My father used this building to conduct a scholarship program for school children” he said. He said the hall is used by teachers to hold classes for underprivileged children while it is also used to provide people with vocational training. “I make use of it only on Thursdays and Fridays to hold my public days,” he said. “The house and office destroyed were dedicated to serving the people” he added.
“The destroyed property had a sentimental value rather than a financial value as it was what I had inherited from my father. That is why the facade of the house was not changed during renovations. But it was fully destroyed in the fire. My children also loved this ancestral home and we would often celebrate the new year in this house along with my children and grandchildren.” he said. Ranatunga says he had intended to gift this house to his eldest daughter who was the closest to his father Reggie Ranatunga. “Her wedding was scheduled to be held on May 11. But as a result of the May 9 events her wedding had to be postponed. These incidents caused great pain to our family. It cannot be quantified by monetary means.” he said.
A majority of the arson attacks on May 9 had taken place in the Gampaha district. At least 10 houses of politicians in the Minuwangoda electorate had been set on fire.
“It is clear this was an organised attack by a group using the peaceful struggle as a cover. The Gampaha district is often a deciding factor in major elections. I took the lead in ensuring my party won the district by over 350 000 votes. The politicians behind this attack attempted to weaken the Gampaha district and its political leadership,” he said. According to him, they wanted to stop his political journey. Ranatunga believes his actions against drugs and underworld activities may have also contributed to the attack.. “Taking advantage of it, some politicians used those related to the illegal drugs industry and underworld to cause this destruction,” he said.
The Police, it was reported, had done nothing to stop the attack on his house.
“I do not approve of Police shooting people but they could have used minimum force at least to prevent them from carrying out these acts. I have even informed the Minister in charge and the secretary as well as the Human Rights Commission,” he said.
Ranatunga said all the items in his office, two vehicles owned by the State, were destroyed. “I am perplexed as to how these people even posted bail. This sets a bad precedence as those involved in crimes will not fear the law anymore,” he said. According to him, the devastation was a loss to the general public. “For example after this incident, I only visited the village twice as I have no place to live there. My relatives have asked me to start my office once more in their homes but if their property is also destroyed they will be inconvenienced,” he said.
During the interview, Ranatunga also recalled memories of his father’s house being set ablaze by opponents following the election of 1977.
“When our house was attacked I remember my father going out of the front door to face them. Someone then stabbed my father and he was dragged inside by one of his brothers. A group then broke in from the backdoor. Even though they were ruthless my mother did not allow my father to shoot them. Instead, he shot a few rounds into the air and the group dispersed. We then escaped and managed to save our lives” he recalled. Ranatunga, along with his parents then had to live at a relative’s home in Colombo.
“We had nothing on us. We were left destitute. But my father remained strong. We were at this house when we got the message that our house had been set on fire. It had destroyed everything including our vehicle. I remember that tears welled up in my father’s eyes.” he said. “But my mother was strong and said we can recover all that was lost” he added.
Likewise, Ranatunga says he is determined to remain strong and face the obstacles life throws at him.
“There is an attempt today to portray all politicians as thieves and make people hate them. There is a group who attempted this and caused the incidents that took place on that day. But their children are living abroad and their houses are abroad. However, they show a different picture to the people. I urge the people to find out the truth and not fall victim to these narratives,” he said.
“Find out how we make money, what our businesses are. Do not help these elements to destroy this country by behaving in a hateful manner by damaging properties,” he added.
“Every Government and political party in this country is responsible for the current situation in the country. No one can absolve themselves from it. Unfortunately, this economic crisis occurred during our government’s tenure. Just like the politicians, some Government officials are also responsible for this destruction. They should also be investigated. By continuing this form of destructive politics, the country will only be further destroyed. Every citizen of the country should understand that,” Ranatunga said.
The article is an English translation of Sureka Nilmini Illangakoon