Among the politicians who fell victim to the violence that ripped across the country on May 9 is Galle district MP and the current State Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs Geetha Kumarasinghe.
She is not only a veteran actress but also an entrepreneur. However, many years ago Kumarasinghe set these fields she was renowned for to start a career in politics. In conversation with the Sunday Observer this week she recalled the incidents of May 9.
“My houses in Haburugala and Colombo were both destroyed on that day. The house in Haburugala, Benthara was given to me by my parents. I had renovated it as a villa so that I can come there at least once a week from Colombo to meet and serve the people in my village.
I started holding public days in 2010. I treated the people who came to visit me with either food or tea whenever possible. It is the house of a person such as myself who only sought to serve the people that was destroyed on that day.
Everything including antiques had been destroyed. This greatly upset me as some antiques were from before the time of my grandparents. My 17 seater dining table, gym equipment, CCTV, ACs everything had been destroyed. The quarters built for my drivers and security officers had also been attacked and destroyed,” she said.
“They did not stop there. On May 10 my house in Colombo was also attacked. I built it in 1988 way before I had even thought of entering politics. It was a beautiful mansion with a pool. All the furniture including antiques were destroyed including two chairs I had bought while doing my fifth film. I loved them so much I had two replicas of them made.
All of this was destroyed. The CCTV system and plumbing was also wrecked. Among the things destroyed was a painting by George Keyt. It had been stoned and damaged. The stones had even damaged the roof. Since it is raining I have no way to renovate it now and it would also cost a fortune.” she said.
Kumarasinghe has lost much including a rack full of awards won by her during her long career in Sri Lankan cinema. “I am a director of many businesses in the country. I earned a lot through films. In fact I earned millions through films such as Palama Yata, Loku Duwa and Salambak Handai.
I paid my taxes and never evaded it. All my money is deposited in local banks. I have given a detailed list of my assets to Parliament. I have earned nothing from politics. Everything I earned through hard work was destroyed. I would like to ask those who committed these acts why they targeted me?
What right do they have to do that? Can I not serve the people of this country using what I earned as an artistes and businesswoman? I bought a lorry for Rs. 6.5 million for Haburugala. This was for the use of the people. Even that was set on fire including 500 chairs I had bought for people who visit me. What wrong have I done to deserve this? I have a right to know this.
Though it is alleged politicians stole from the people I have no idea about what others have done. I challenge them to prove I have stolen through politics. I earned all this through hard work. What right do they have to destroy my house for coming into politics using that money?” she asked.
“If the people of this country are fair and just, if they want to change the system can this be done through destroying our houses and public property? I came to politics for the people of Benthara. I let go of my Swiss citizenship for the people of Sri Lanka. I tell the people who destroyed my house - A country like Switzerland is a mere dream to you.
I had a beautiful house there surrounded by mountains. I left a country like that to serve Sri Lanka. I had a retirement pension of Rs. 600,000 there. The pension of an MP is a mere
Rs. 30,000. The salary is just Rs. 54,000. My electricity bill for a month itself goes over Rs. 60,000. So what have I earned from politics? The incidents of May 9 can only be called terrorism that destroyed this country. They only proved that they are worse than terrorists,” she said.
“I did not go to Temple Trees on that day. I was at my home in Nawala. I was also invited for the event at Temple Trees but since I can meet Mahinda Rajapaksa any time I wish I did not attend the event.
Neither did I send any of my supporters from Benthrara to this meeting because I sensed something would go wrong there. I never imagined this would happen to me. I am foremost an artiste in this country and always believed art has no party divides. Only a small fraction of the people took part in these events. Many of my supporters were saddened by all the destruction,” the MP said.
“I am not a woman who laments about anything. In 2017 when my house was set alight due to a gas leak I ended up in hospital fighting for my life. But my face was not harmed in the incident. I believe in God. Therefore, anything bad we do, we suffer the consequences. I rebuilt my house that was destroyed and I have not claimed a rupee as damages,” she said.
An undoubtedly strong woman, Kumarasinghe was born as the eldest of a family of eight. Her father Wijepala Kumarasinghe had worked as a warehouse manager at the Naval Headquarters while her mother Udulawathi Siriwardane was a housewife. A talented singer and dancer as a child, she was crowned as the village Avurudu Kumari at the age of 16.
She entered films in 1975 starring in the film Wasana. However the first film of her’s to be shown on screen was the film ‘Lassana Kella’. She has since acted in over 80 films. Kumarasinghe was signed on for 21 films prior to the release of her debut, a record in Sri Lanka’s film industry.
She has also displayed her talents in international films. She was adjudged the best producer and best actress for her portrayal of ‘Dotty’ in the film Palama Yata.
The film ran for 100 days setting records as the film with the most revenue earned at the Regal Cinema. Her awards and accolades in the field of cinema are numerous. She left films in 2004 to embark on a new journey in politics. In 2015 she entered Parliament receiving 63, 955 preferential votes.
“I entered politics by chance but our family did have a leaning towards politics. My grandfather was a village headman. My father was a socialist and he was keen about politics. Perhaps I was influenced by this. I commenced my political career in 2009 and started from the grassroots level,” she said.
Speaking of the many trials faced by her as a woman in politics she recalls the issues she faced due to her dual citizenship in 2014. “I had Swiss citizenship because my husband was a Swiss national. But a case was filed against me due to the 19A.
I faced it head on and was able to emerge victorious. That was just one instance. Currently only 13 percent of MPs are female.
I believe this number will drop further because people would be worried about entering politics when their houses are being burnt and attacked,” she added.
“But women are very strong and can even compete with men. I too am proud to be a woman. I will continue politics till I die despite the obstacles that may come my way. I will serve the people,” she said.