Ranil, the most suitable leader – Kumara Welgama

The violence that was unleashed on May 9 led to the death of nine persons including a Member of Parliament and the destruction of properties of at least 94 government MPs. A former senior Cabinet Minister Kumara Welgama also had to face an unfortunate incident on the day. Welgama was set upon and brutally attacked by an unruly mob near the Kottawa Makumbura exit of the Southern Expressway. He was later admitted to the Homagama hospital with serious injuries.

“I sympathise with the youth who attacked me on May 9. I have no hatred towards them. I made a statement regarding this in Parliament on July 27 as well where I said I forgive the young men and I sympathise with them. If I was to live 20 years more, the attack reduced that to perhaps 10 years. But the young men who attacked me were between 18 - 19 years. They must live at least 50 years more. Their future will get destroyed if they are found guilty of attacking me and setting fire to my vehicle. They won’t be able to secure a police clearance report or obtain a government job. They won’t be able to even go abroad. So I thought to myself if it is the remainder of my life that is important or theirs. Therefore I did not even request any legal action to be taken regarding the incident” he said.

The former Minister, stoic in nature, recalled the unexpected incidents on May 9.

“On the day I visited Colombo for work and left around 8 p.m to return to Matugama where my residence is located. Even though I knew there was trouble I did not expect to face any issue. I never expected to be harmed as I was one of the people who raised my voice against Gotabaya Rajapaksa. But around 300 to 400 people with sticks and poles in their hands stopped my vehicle. At the time I was with my driver Sameera and my personal security officer Boteju. I was seated in front. People started attacking the vehicle.

They dragged my driver away and attacked him. My PSO tried to cover me and he pleaded with the people to not attack me. But they even beat him up and dragged him out of the vehicle. They were unable to open my door as it had been locked. But they broke the windows and attacked me with everything at hand. But recognising me, two young men in their 30s told the group to stop hitting me as I had spoken up against Gotabaya Rajapaksa. But it was to no avail. The youngsters said he is also part of the 225 as they continued to beat me. I was in so much pain. This is the first time I have experienced such a scenario” Welgama said.

The youth, dissatisfied with the brutal attack on the senior politician then went on to set fire to the vehicle. “The two men who had spoken up for me screamed and said the vehicle had been lit on fire. I asked them to take me out but they were unable to as the door was locked. The others kept saying they would kill me and continued with their assault.” Welgama recalled.

Welgama said perhaps it was fate that saved him from a more tragic end on the day despite the inhumane attack on him.

“Another young man arrived on the scene and recognised me. He used a lever to break open the door and take me out. But the others then dragged me away to the pavement. By this point, I was only left in my underwear and I saw my vehicle go up in flames. If I had remained in the vehicle for three minutes I would have been burnt to death. That was their intention. But I was saved by the young man who then took me to the hospital in a three-wheeler. The only thing left of my vehicle was a mound of iron. That vehicle was worth around Rs. 17.5 million. But it does not matter. At least I made it out alive” he said.

Welgama believes he had to endure this perhaps due to sins committed in his past life and he was saved because of meritorious acts carried out by him. “A year ago I contracted Covid and became asthmatic. The attack has made it worse. But other than that I am fine now. I am thankful to the doctors of the Homagama hospital and other medical staff who cared for me.” he said.

While some politicians have left politics due to the shock caused by the incidents on May 9, Welgama said he isn’t disappointed in Sri Lankan politics yet. 

“But I am saddened that I, who always attempted to do what is right, had to experience such a brutal incident. The youth who said all 225 MPs are thieves have no awareness in that regard. My inkling was that many of the youth who attacked me were not in their right senses and had consumed either alcohol or drugs. I also believe there was another force behind these attacks. I witnessed the JVP insurrection in 1970. We also witnessed the same during 88-89. We worked against it and faced many death threats. I believe a similar force was behind these attacks” he said.

Welgama also recalled how despite having a strong business background he eventually ventured into politics. “After leaving school I was employed as a planter at an estate in Matugama. I was around 18 at the time. I would walk around the village during my free time and a majority of the villagers were Sri Lanka Freedom Party supporters. Perhaps that is why I was attracted to the party even when my father was a staunch United National Party supporter who hobnobbed with the likes of D.S. Senanayake, Dudley Senanayake and J.R. Jayewardene. During this time I got an opportunity to meet Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike. She appointed me as the SLFP organiser of Agalawatta in 1982. ” he said.

The gutted vehicle of MP Kumara Welgama following the attack

“I recall when I was appointed as the SLFP organiser for Agalawatta my father joined J.R on stage in support of the UNP. I was able to forge a good political career thanks to Mrs. Bandarainaike’s guidance. Thanks to her I have been able to serve as an MP for nearly three decades. I am humbled by my political journey as a deputy minister, minister and cabinet minister” he added.

Welgama recalled his beginning with great pride. “My father was a businessman in the transport sector. He had the most lorries owned by a person in Sri Lanka. There were ten children in my family including myself. Five girls and five boys. I too am a father of five. I have three daughters and two sons. I never intended to join politics and began my career as a planter. But I am glad I was able to become a politician.

Not all 225 MPs in Parliament are corrupt despite the common belief. There are corrupt officials and even businessmen who evade taxes. I admit that people are going through a tough time. Every government that has been in power is responsible for this fiasco. Officials must also bear some of the responsibility. The people should also be held accountable for appointing people who are not suitable for politics. I hope the public votes with more responsibility and awareness going forward” he said.

Commenting on the country’s future, Welgama said Ranil Wickremesinghe is the most suitable leader at this juncture. “He hasn’t violated the constitution. He takes good, practical decisions. If all parties support these efforts we can rebuild this country.

As an honest politician with good knowledge of politics, I have expressed my support for the cause. One bird alone cannot lift up a hunter’s net, all must flock together for the purposes. Similarly, it is only together we can come out of this abyss. I think that at this time, we should all come together and think about the country instead of protecting our own power”, the MP added.