House I built over 7 to 8 years was destroyed - D B Herath

Changes in a country’s political culture is inevitable. However, these changes are only important if it is beneficial to the society at large. May 9, 2022 was a day that changed the country’s political culture. The day’s events resulted in over 70 public representatives of the Government becoming victims of a spate of violence that spread across the country. Among them was the Minister of State for Livestock Development D. B. Herath.

According to Herath he along with his wife and two children arrived in Colombo to attend to an education related need of his children. Delayed than was previously expected, Herath and his family decided to remain in Colombo on that day.

“As violence spread across the country I was informed that a massive protest was taking place in the Wariyapola Junction as well. While some attendees had suggested my residence must be attacked, others had dissuaded the group saying I did not carry out any wrongful acts”. However a group of around 40 - 50 people had made their way to my house. Among those arrested by the Police later was a woman who had allegedly first thrown stones at my house. There had even been youth aged 17, 18 and 26 in the group.

A JVP supporter had even attempted to attack the OIC of the Police. While one group had broken down the front door and entered my home, others had entered from the kitchen area,” the State Minister recalled.

The group had destroyed the property within the house and then poured petrol on them before lighting a match setting everything ablaze. According to Herath, the group had then lit firecrackers in celebration while others damaged and set fire to the coconut trees in his garden. Among the other property that was set on fire was the room storing rice, two mini tractors used for farming and a motorcycle. He claimed residents were threatened and chased away by the violent mob. “They had no choice but to watch silently from a distance,” he said. The State Minister also accused the Police of merely being bystanders in the situation.

“The Wariyapola Police has 200 personnel. I am the only MP representing the area. But the OIC did nothing to stop the group. Instead he along with 10 officers had stopped the jeep on a by road and gone unarmed to my house. How can unarmed officers take action against a group of thugs? By the time the residents arrived much damage had been done but they had attempted to douse the fire and save some bags of rice. Everything within the house that cannot be replaced were destroyed including my children’s school books,” he said.

According to the State Minister he is more saddened by the attitude of the violent gang than the destruction suffered by his private property.

“One common allegation was that MPs had built homes using public monies. I reject this outright. I have declared my assets from the time I was a Pradeshiya Sabha councillor. I have never stolen public funds. I began building this house 15 years ago after selling a van I owned. We obtained a loan of Rs. 1.2 million through my wife who was a Government employee. It took us over seven years to complete it. In the end it was set on fire along with my office and other equipment provided by the Parliament,” he said.

Though Herath as a Buddhist believes everything in life takes place according to the eight vicissitudes of life, as an MP who respects democracy, the May 9 incidents have left a deep scar within.

“I have never harmed a political opponent or used my status as an MP to harass anyone. We lived a fair and simple life. If such an incident can happen to people like us in the political process it is a serious issue. I cannot say if my home was set on fire due to a political reason or another. But there is no basis to commit such an act against me. We come from a long generation of farmers. I engage in paddy farming to this day.

We earned through this and therefore had a good home economy from before. To this day I want to know why the mob set my house ablaze and destroyed my property,” he said.

“This is the first time I experienced such an incident. We must think deeply about this political culture that propagates violence. A large number of youth died during the years of 1971 and 1988. As Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) supporters we lived in great fear. I wonder if the country is once again heading down that dark path.

Should the country be handed over to those who incite violence and distort the society? But the question remains who the voters will hand over power to?

Is there any suitable group and are the people smart enough to choose them? I worry they will go to the polling stations through the experiences obtained in the Aragalaya. The people must not fall for the lies and fallacies of those who claim to be clean. If the people can weed out the bad then a good country can be created,” the State Minister said.

Born in Wellegala, Wariyapola State Minister Herath attended the Wellegala Sarananda Vidyalaya and the Wariyapola Sumangala Maha Vidyalaya. Hailing from a family with its roots in agriculture, Herath also followed his family’s footsteps.

“The political process at the time hampered our efforts to gain higher education or enter the State service. Therefore, I turned to the family businesses after leaving school. I do not come from a family of politicians. I became known among the people through businesses. It was a long journey,” he recalled.

Herath first entered politics in 1991 by getting elected to the Wariyapola Pradeshiya Sabha going on to the North Western Provincial Council and finally the Parliament.

“We do not have a home to live in anymore. My children have been sent to hostels. My wife and I live in the official residence. When can we once again live together as a family under one roof I do not know. We are deeply saddened about what took place. This is a massive stress to my family. At times I too feel hurt and disappointed. But this is just one incident among a plethora of others. Those who voted for me did not set my house on fire. Therefore, I will continue to serve them. A majority wants a better future for the country. If there is anything I can do for them I am prepared to do so. I have no greed for positions or status. I am ready to let these go in an instant,” the State Minister said.