Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP U.K Sumith Udukumbura was born in Melsiripura, belonging to the Ibbagamuwa Divisional Secretariat of the Kurunegala district as the second child of prominent businessman U.K. Sarath Namaratne Udukumbura and his wife Piyaseeli Udukumbura.
Sumith Udukumbura who studied at the prestigious St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala chose the Commerce Stream after passing his Ordinary Level examination. He was the General Secretary of the school Commerce Students’ Society and also engaged in many other extracurricular activities to develop his personality and leadership qualities.
A prominent member of the school’s cricket, athletics and cadet team, he was also involved in many voluntary organisations including sports and youth clubs.
“After completing my studies my intention was to join either the Tri-Forces or Police. So right after my Advanced Level Examination, I joined the Police as a Sub-Inspector. Though I underwent training for some time I later decided to resign because I felt I could serve the people better while on the outside”, he said.
Father’s business
According to him, he joined his father’s business thereafter and initiated the ‘U.K. Sumith Foundation’ to mainly help school students and others who were facing economic hardships. “But this was not in the intention of joining politics,” he said, adding perhaps it did form a base for his political career.
U.K. Sumith Udukumbura was among the group of MPs whose houses were attacked and destroyed on May 9. Recalling the day’s events, Udukumbura says he too joined the farewell event held for former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees.
“The clash took place while I was still inside. We didn’t even get a chance to leave the place but already violence had started to spread including attacks on MPs, and setting fire to vehicles. The events took a turn for the worst when one MP was attacked and killed in broad daylight,” he said.
Udukumbura said while he remained in Colombo, the next day he was made aware of a Facebook campaign calling to set fire to his house. Understanding the possible danger, Udukumbura had taken steps to retake his wife and three daughters from their home and move them to a safe location.
“The vehicle they travelled in was returning when a mob had intercepted it and set fire to it near the Gokarella Police Station,” he said. Udukumbura said he not only informed the heads of Police in the area of a possible attack on his house, but he had also even informed the Army and others responsible. “But no steps had been taken to prevent it,” he alleged.
His residence located in the Bogahalandawatta area in Karandagolla, Melsiripura was set upon by a mob and later destroyed along with the office he maintained at his parent’s home which was adjacent to his own.
“Only ashes remain. The act was inhumane and caused so much grief and anguish. It was also a great loss. My eldest daughter was to sit for her A/Level Examination but all her books were destroyed in the fire. This was the most difficult part to bear as she suffered great mental stress as a result of this.” he said adding that his second daughter who was to sit for her Ordinary Level Examinations also lost her books in the fire.
Udukumbura said he had never intended to live in Colombo or send his children to schools in the city. “Instead I chose to live in Kurunegala and even sent my daughters to schools here. I built my home here as I wished to live with the people in the area”, he added.
According to the SLPP MP, the mob had stolen all the valuables from his home including Gold jewellery before setting fire to the house and office as well as completely damaging his jeep which was parked in another location around one kilometre away. “This is proof that it was a highly organised attack,” he said.
Udukumbura said apart from the material things that were lost, many things he cannot earn back were also lost in the incident.
Lived happily
“We lived happily as a family. There were many memories and mementoes we had gathered over the years. For example, my daughter is 19 now and she lovingly kept the teddy bear she received on her first birthday. My wedding photographs and other photos, as well as things, kept remembering my parents were lost,” he said.
“My mother had even saved the outfit I wore when I won the high jump competition at age 10. My brother was in the national basketball team and all his awards, and certificates as well as mine were lost. These were invaluable,” he added. According to Udukumbura a number of antiques at his house were also lost in the fire.
Udukumbura said despite accusations claiming politicians have siphoned off people’s money, he already had a strong economic background due to his family.
“When I was first contested for an election in 2006 I used a Montero. We owned three private buses. We also owned a hotel business. I came with a strong economic background. I have only been in Parliament for one and a half years. I only worked for the people and earned nothing. My parents brought me up well and made us responsible citizens. I have never done anything to disgrace them or supported such activities. I have always followed my conscience,” he said.
“It is not the villagers that carried out these acts. The mob consisting of 300 people had arrived from around 10 kilometres away. Among them were Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JV) organisers and others linked to the party” he alleged.
Following the incident, Udukumbura filed a human rights case against the Inspector General of Police. “It is his responsibility to protect the law and order of the country. I was informed of the threat against my house hours before but nothing was done. The case has been filed in this regard as I am deeply upset about the inaction of the police” he said.
Udukumbura has a long-standing relationship with politics as his father was actively involved with the United National Party. Udukumbura contested his first Local Government election under the party banner in 2006.
“I was able to secure a large number of preferential votes bypassing many senior politicians. The current President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the time appointed me as the Opposition leader of the Pradeshiya Sabha,” he recalled.
Political journey
His political journey took a turn when he joined the Sri Lanka Freedom Party in 2010 at the invitation of Minister Johnston Fernando. Contesting at the next Local Government Election, Udukumbura was able to become Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman after securing a significant number of preferential votes.
Udukumbura said he dedicated most of his time to serving the public. He was the first Pradeshiya Sabha chairman from Kurunegala who took Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna membership when it was formed. Udukumbura also worked as the Hiriyala electoral seat organiser for the Presidential election campaign of Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
He said he was the first Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman who was able to enter the parliament at once without ever having set foot in a provincial council. “I worked hard as an MP and was especially assisted in the road development work by Minister Johnston Fernando. We were able to develop a large number of roads in the Hiriyala Electorate as well as improve its infrastructure” he said.
However, he said the May 9 incidents have left a lasting effect on him. “I felt devastated when I saw the remains of my house on Facebook. I wish no one has to suffer such anguish. We lost everything. I hid my pain from my family and immediately posted on Facebook swearing I would rise from the ashes. I have made up my mind to continue serving the people.” he said adding that all proof obtained from social media platforms was submitted to the police.
“The police had arrested many suspects thereafter. Despite the hurt and anguish, I decided to not let go of the opportunity I got to serve the people. My family now lives at the Madiwela MPs housing scheme. My two younger daughters are studying temporarily at Visakha Vidyalaya in Colombo. The elder one is self-studying at home. I am hoping to reconstruct my house in Melsiripura and return there” he said.
Udukumbura said the younger generation must be more understanding of governance and not fall for the narrow political ends of various persons or groups. “You can’t grab power through violence. The young generation has a great responsibility to respect the constitution and the law. If they fail in this responsibility the country will head towards destruction,” he said.