Then they came for Kokila Gunawardena | Sunday Observer

Then they came for Kokila Gunawardena

30 October, 2022

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Gampaha MP Kokila Gunawardena had visited the Temple Trees on that fateful May 9 also now known as ‘Black Monday’ with the sole intention to bid farewell to former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Profile
Name- Kokila Harshani Gunawardena
Date of Birth- 28.04.1974
School attendedGampaha Holycross 
College
Political Milestones
2009-2014 Elected to the Western Provincial Council for the first time.
2014-2019 Elected to the Provincial Council for the second time.
2020 - Elected to the Parliament for the first time.

“I had already decided I would not attend any event had it been held for a different purpose,” the MP told the Sunday Observer. Recalling the day’s events, Gunawardena said several Ministers of the party had called her and convinced her to join the meeting as Prime Minister Rajapaksa had decided to step down. “We have great respect for him. Therefore I decided he must be accorded the honour of a farewell. My driver was on leave that day. As I wanted to attend the event I found another driver who was able to take me there. I arrived at the Temple Trees around 10.30 a.m. The meeting ended soon after my arrival,” she said.

Gunawardena says the events that took place thereafter at the Galle Face ‘Aaragalaya’ grounds should not have occurred. “Hearing of what was unfolding I left Temple Trees immediately. I strongly believed that the protesters should only be removed by the Police or the military and not by the general public or the political authority of the country. But what I feared came to be in the end,” she said.

On her way home to Mirigama, Gunawardena watched as chaos and pandemonium swept across the country.

“Some were setting fire to tyres and acting violently. I was informed that a large crowd had also gathered near the Mirigama Highway exit where they were attacking vehicles. Among those attacked were several Pradeshiya Sabha members representing our party and others who had attended the Temple Trees meeting.” she recalled. According to Gunawardena, she was also informed that a bhikkhu from the area who was also a known supporter of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna was attempting to instigate those gathered to launch an attack on her residence.

An alarmed Gunawardena had then called the Police requesting for her house to be protected from an impending attack. “My ancestral home where my parents along with my brother and his family lives is located right next door. I informed my mother that my house might be attacked and to therefore take necessary safety precautions.” she said. It was around this time the MP heard of the brutal killing of MP Amarakeerthi Atukorale. “I was deeply saddened to hear the news. He was perhaps one of the most innocent MPs in Parliament.” she said.

Fearing the worst, Gunawardena had once again called her family, asking them to vacate the house immediately. “My parents had lived in this village for decades. Unfortunately they never believed any harm would come to them,” she said.

But their belief was shattered that day when a violent mob set fire to the MPs ancestral home as well as her own residence next door. According to Gunawardena it was their neighbours who had stepped in to save her parents.

“My brother and his family had hidden in the bathroom. When my brother had come out, he had seen the bhikkhu stirring up the crowds to attack the houses. Many of those recognised as being part of the mob that attacked my house are members of the JVP. They have now been released on bail by the courts giving rise to the question if justice is served fairly to all,” she said.

It is a question that has been asked by many of those who were affected by the violence that took place on the day. “Both houses were fully destroyed and will have to be built from scratch. It had burnt for hours. No proper estimate has been conducted to ascertain the actual damage”, the MP said.

Gunwardena says all she has was earned through hard work and not through politics or corruption. “Some I had received from my family. Prior to joining politics I worked for SriLankan Airlines for seven years. My husband continues to work there. I built my house in 2009. I sold a house I owned in Colombo to secure the necessary funds. I believed I should live with the people of Mirigama if I was to engage in politics.” she said.

According to the MP, her ancestral home was built by her father and later renovated by her brother and his wife. This house too now lays gutted and in ruins.

Gunawardena is the sister of former Western Provincial Councillor, Namal Gunawardena. She entered politics following her brother’s footsteps.

“I joined politics by pure chance. After leaving school my dream was to join SriLankan Airlines. I was able to fulfil this. I worked there for seven years and bought a house as well as a vehicle of my own. But later I felt I had earned enough and should therefore resign. In 2004 my brother was elected to the Western Provincial Council but was killed just three months later. Many then requested I take up politics.

Initially I was reluctant. I only got to know he was killed due to political reasons several months after his death. It was only thereafter I decided to enter politics. It was March 28, 2005.” she vividly recalled.

This decision came to a fruition when in 2009, Gunawardena was elected to the Western Provincial Council with 46 997 preferential votes. In 2014 she was re-elected after receiving a similar number of votes.

“But I lost twice at the General elections. Finally in 2020 I was able to secure 77 922 votes to enter Parliament. When I won I decided I would only serve one tenure in Parliament and would step down from politics at the age of 55-60. This is because I had no greater ambitions in politics and neither did I have anything to gain,” she said.

But May 9, would alter this course, Gunawardena had forged for herself. “I have always managed to rise stronger every time I was struck down. I believe I am stronger and can do more than those who hurt me. But this does not mean I will seek revenge from those who attacked my house.

But I believe this is perhaps a significant milestone in my life. Though they set fire to my house, they cannot destroy the love the people have for me. Before I joined politics the JVP had a strong foothold in Mirigama.

This was reduced because of me. Perhaps that is one reason my home was attacked. After this incident I asked myself why I should step down from politics due to the anti-democratic political system in the country. The JVP always sought to trick the people for their narrow political ends. We saw this in 88/89 as well. We must not allow them to destroy this country any further. Therefore, I believe I should continue my political journey. However, I will retire from politics at the age of 60 and make way for newcomers”, she said.

Commenting on the current political situation in the country. Gunwardena says everyone must come together to rebuild the country rather than attempt to ensure the political win of one’s party. “But not all parties are willing to do this. The JVP speaks as if they have great love for this country but they refused to join an all-party Government when invited by the President. Instead they instigated the people and caused the country plagued by an economic crisis to collapse further in a bid to clinch the power”, she said.

Gunawardena said the JVP used the country’s youth as the tools of this conniving plan. “We must pity the youth. The real struggle was not at Galle Face but in the villages instead and among those who live in the Colombo’s flats. That struggle is just. When one is left without electricity for over 12 hours, when there is no gas, kerosene, diesel and petrol people are not allowed to carry on their livelihoods. They then begin to struggle. It is not only our country that faced the economic crisis. The President did his utmost to save the people. The government had to spend significantly to combat the Covid 19 pandemic. When the country faced an economic collapse the JVP and the Frontline Socialist Party misled the youth causing the great devastation that took place on May 9.” she said.

However, Gunawardena also amidst the Government took several incorrect decisions that resulted in anti-Government sentiments. “We spoke to these people as well. Solutions cannot be sought by destroying property or lives. Our youth must understand this”, she added.

Gunawardena believes the current President Ranil Wickremesinghe can ensure the country’s economic recovery. “Therefore, everyone must cast aside their party affiliatons divides and come together. This is not the time for a power struggle. Political parties and the people must realise that if not we will only languish in this abyss further.” 

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