The day Shantha Bandara was targeted

Experiences including devastating misfortunes often provide the strength for a person to face the trials and tribulations in life. Shantha Bandara, the former State Minister of Agriculture and Kurunegala district MP of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) faced a similar unfortunate experience on May 9 after a violent mob in the guise of peaceful protesters set fire to his home and office on the day. It was a fate that befell nearly 70 MPs in Parliament including those from the SLPP. The incident had led to some politicians bidding goodbye to politics. However, Bandara says his disappointment in politics came way before the incidents of May 9.

“Certain politicians of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) criticised my decision to support the Government at that time. When I decided to leave the SLFP and become independent my intention was to strengthen the government at a time when the country was facing a severe crisis. I believed we had to support the Government. However, many carried out mudslinging campaigns against me. They claimed I accepted the ministerial position for money. I was deeply saddened by these accusations. Therefore, I had already decided to end my political career following the end of the 9th Parliament. But the May 9 incidents drove me to once again change that decision,” he said.

Bandara is a qualified professional across several fields and a public representative who has rendered a great service to the Dambadeniya electorate.

“When I became the organiser in 2004 less than 60 percent of the electorate had electricity. I was able to provide electricity to all households after my appointment. Many of the roads have been carpeted. The Narammala Town which consisted of just a few shops is a fully-fledged city today. A crematorium was built. The area once covered by the Alawwa Pradeshiya Sabha was divided to create two Pradeshiya Sabhas for the ease of the people. I used to travel by motorcycle to these villages unreachable by vehicles but today the situation is much different. I even commenced a project costing Rs. 22 000 million to provide potable water to the people. I even commenced the development of the Alawwa Town.” he said.

According to Bandara, despite holding many rallies in his time, he always advised the youth attending these to not cause any damage to public property or cause harm to any person. He also says he always protected those of Opposition parties than his own or transferred any official based on party allegiances. “I introduced a gentlemanly political culture to Dambadeniya. But after my house was set on fire despite all my service I was deeply hurt and saddened. However, I decided I would return to politics as a result of these incidents” he said.

The vehicle destroyed in the fire

Bandara’s personal residence and the adjoining office were destroyed on May 9. Recalling the day’s events, Bandara said he was not present at the Temple Trees on that day as he had been invited for a wedding in his electorate. He said, however, he did head to Colombo following the wedding to attend several meetings at the Ministry of Agriculture scheduled for the day as he was still serving as the State Minister of Agriculture at that time.

“I then heard that troubling events were brewing at the Temple Trees and the Galle Face Green. I had intended to return to my home in Kurunegala following the meetings but I changed my plans and remained at my official residence. My wife and children were also with me as there had been several protests against me previously in front of my home after I extended my support to the current Government. Earlier my wife, her mother and my four children lived at my residence in Kurunegala” he said.

He said around 3.00 pm on that day he was informed that a mob had gathered in the Alawwa town and was now heading towards his house in Maharachchimulla.

“I informed senior Police officers and the Alawwa OIC of a possible attack on my house and requested they provide the security. But despite that the mob had managed to break into my house” he said blaming the Police for the damage caused by the violent group. “This happened because of their inaction,” he said.

Bandara said his house was looted and emptied of all valuables including jewellery, televisions, computers, laptops, clocks and even water motors. According to him following the looting both the house and office had been set on fire and plants in the garden were destroyed including 200 plantain trees. Coconut trees had been set on fire and flower pots smashed into pieces. A jeep belonging to the Presidential Secretariat used by Bandara had also been torched.

Following the incident, the MP says he lodged a complaint with the Police and the Human Rights Commission. “The Police arrested 16 persons and they were granted bail by the Polgahawela courts. Further investigations are continuing. The damage caused has not been estimated yet. Steps are being taken in this regard”, he said.

Despite efforts to disseminate a fallacy that all 225 MPs in Parliament are of no use, many such as Bandara are qualified professionals required by the country.

Bandara was born to a family of farmers as the youngest of five. He studied for his advanced level examinations at the Nakkawatta Central College in Kuliyapitiya. Bandara was a talented sportsman and became the Head Prefect, Sports Captain and Sergeant in Charge of the College cadet troop. He has won many prizes including that of the best sportsman and national colours, even going on to win a bronze medal in karate at the 1992 SAARC games. He has also won many medals for the high jump and represented Sri Lanka’s national volleyball pool in many junior tournaments. He is even a qualified volleyball coach.

Bandara with his wife Rukmali Samarakoon

“I began my career as a private tuition teacher for science and mathematics. I served as a teacher at Dambadeniya Central College as well,” he said. Bandara was also a karate coach and a volleyball coach. He said his family has no links to politics and his father was only involved in social work.

He was appointed as the Chairman of the SLFP youth front in 1996. Bandara represented the People’s Alliance and contested in the 1997 local Government elections. Despite the People’s Alliance’s loss in the 2002 local Government election, Bandara secured the most preferential votes in the Kurunegala District. Bandara was elected to the North Western Provincial Council in 2009 after securing 63 630 votes and became the Provincial Minister for Agriculture Animal Products and Agricultural Services. He was first elected to Parliament in 2010 after obtaining 86 880 votes. While he lost his seat in 2015, he once again entered Parliament through the national list. Bandara once again entered Parliament in 2020 with a whopping 53 630 preferential votes.

He believes a political party is behind the incidents of May 9. Having worked to eliminate illicit alcohol and drugs from his area, Bandara said he had created enemies out of those involved in these trades. “They took the lead in this incident including those from two main parties who attempted to prevent my win at elections. Some I know, others I do not. People believed May 9 happened due to an instantaneous reaction of the people but this is not the entire truth” he said.

“We lost many valuables. Some such as medals and certificates won cannot be recovered. Even if the courts do not punish those involved I believe they will be dealt with according to natural justice. I am deeply hurt as I have never caused any harm to another. I have three sons and a daughter. This incident took place as my eldest was preparing for his law examinations. Despite this causing him great distress he was able to get through the examinations. But I request the youth who were involved in these incidents not to take part in such activities again. It will only harm your future. Don’t be victims of various political parties and their agendas”, he said.

Bandara said, it is up to politicians to set a good example for the young generation. “But encouraging them to be violent is an attempt to take the country back to its dark and violent era”, he said.