By Malinda Seneviratne –
Malinda Seneviratne
Malaka Silva, son of the Minister of Public Relations and Public Affairs, Mervin Silva, did not attack, hit or injure Major Chandana Pradeep at the JAIC-Hilton, Colombo, along with his friend Rehan and a bunch of others, some of whom were (not) armed. Since there was no assault, it was not captured on CCTV. Malaka Silva is therefore the victim of a monumental and pernicious media drive to vilify him (and his father). And we were all born yesterday.
Army Major Now Says Malaka And Rehan Did Not Assault Him
Assault On Army Major: Police Fail To Nab Minister Mervyn’s ‘Criminal’ Secretaries
An Army Major Is Hospitalised; Mervyn Silva’s Son Malaka Silva Has Done It Again
WikiLeaks: Mervin Silava Is A Drug Kingpin Patron Chief
Old Army / September 18, 2012
that is the Present Pattern in our country
change this government the only way we can free this rout
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Ratagiyaballanta / September 18, 2012
To this writer:
You are allowed to sound as stupid as you like or less funny than the others because you are the best new kid in town and it’s your job to feel that way.
a) Father -Mervin tried his best to cover the incident reiterating that everyone from KKS to D could fight to the same manner – for him the similar incidents are normal
b) Then again, Malaka and his commarade are suffering from illnesses.
c) Today, the victim – all of sudden comes with the statement that Malayaka and his friend did not assault the Major
d) Tomorrow – Malaka and his commarade will be offered Janathipathisammana and the youth of the country should follow the same path – FUNNY FUNNY- but these kinds of incidents were not heard in the previous regimes.
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Chris / September 19, 2012
You obviously need a lesson in sarcasm…
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Punchinilame / September 18, 2012
The latest trend is applied in this case too – photographic evidence
is NOT evidence, be it channel 4, the Officer tied to a tree or the
Security cameras of the Hotel.
A Magistrate is bound by law to look at the evidence or the undertakings
for an out of court settlement I guess but not in SL these days.
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JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA / September 18, 2012
we Salute to our Armed Forces as brave Liars and there was no assault to An army officer and [A major in rank] by a innocent Kudu Dealer.
We want our all Armed personnel to behave like this officer Major with bent back bone and big Axxes.
so Tamil Diaspora, there was no Mullivaikal Massacre also.
And we want brave happy go lucky youth like Malayaka and Reegahana Wijerathana to leed our mother land, the Wonder of Asia.
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SERUVILA SENARATH / September 19, 2012
JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA
You lost one point,
bellS is ringing. Does it?
Father has told, all the child hood, young age and Play time important secrets to the Kudu Sona Boy,
So ;
HE MAY HAVE TOLD;
“When and If, I am in Danger I will Play a Card, then he will save me.
” if you are in Danger, these are the points to remember, Play the Cards, He will Come to Save You.
” Dont be afraid, this is our only chance. we can play together.
my son ONEDAY YOU WILL BECOME A GRATE PIMP LIKE MYSELF.”
How s that. A sixer.
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Native Vedda / September 18, 2012
JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA
There is no change after all. Business as usual.
Tiger slayer has become serial lier.
First claimed to the victim of MR’s nephew.
Now he say he is not.
Irrespective of whichever statement was lie, either way he is lying.
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Bedrock Barney / September 19, 2012
Sounds like the major got an offer he couldn’t refuse! Surely some “paisa” has changed hands. Must have been the correct amount to make his headache go away. Malaka Silva has been assaulting all sorts of people quite regularly, just because this was a Major it made the news. All the others who have been assaulted don’t matter. They are only citizens not Ranaviru. Patriotic Sri Lankans do your duty!… just grin and bear it!
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Amila / September 19, 2012
Mr. Senevirathne is waking up or faking to be so? Mervin and Malaka(many others of that type) existed all through the last 7 years(of course before that)they were under that nice carpet of patriotism. Malinda made a living by describing the carpet!! Now, make your life worth living by writing about what is beneath.
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Ratagiyaballanta / September 19, 2012
If the writer would be fully awake, he could help the nation by revealing the truth. Later is better than never.:)
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True / September 19, 2012
“”Mewa Ahala Pana Palayn Peredata”…… I don’t know what to say really… Laugh Or cry..
Jayawewa Sri Lanka!!!!! …
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True / September 19, 2012
“”Mewa Ahala Pana Palayn Peredata”…… I don’t know what to say really… Laugh Or cry????
Jayawewa Sri Lanka!!!!! …
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Vele Suda / September 19, 2012
To keep the blood money of illegal drug business for a smooth floor after Duminda’s loss, Malaka is an important pawn for the drug kin pin.So Malaka like vele suda knows no matter what they do, they are protected by the drug barron……This is as international mafia operation with local collaborators to destroy our youth,country and economy. Once the youth are destroyed it’s easy to suppress other people and someone has to step in to safeguard the country from these thugs.
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Ashoka Perera / September 19, 2012
The army too can settle the problem amicably. You got guns, you got situations. Wait for the right moment and settle it the way Mervin and the mob like to do things and the country will have a sigh of relief until Duminda turns up from his absconidng.
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prasad abeysinghe - Sydney / September 19, 2012
Well said, Mr. Seneviratne. Your righteous indignation is something we all feel. But how long will it take you to come to terms with the fact that these monsters are being rared and nurtured by Mahinda Rajapaksa, a man you continue to hold a brief for? So how do we rid Sri Lanka of this menace before ridding it of the other, more grave threat to democracy and the rule of law? apologists for this regime do more to harm the social fabric of this country than dare we say it, the Malaka Silvas and Rehan Wijeratnes. Nobody expects much more than thuggery from them.
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SERUVILA SENARATH / September 19, 2012
Mr Prasad Abeysinghe.
your Mr Malinda Seneviratne also a grate player.
dont be mislead by his croc tears.
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Karu / September 19, 2012
Never mind.This is a prince waiting for the coronation.He can go wrong.
A cusde like his notorious father.
How much major got from Mervion?What else offered ?Money?Drugs?Share of the business?Promotion?
It is a win win case for the major.
What you have to be a “Ponna Major”
Karu
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Timba / September 19, 2012
I guess the sight of the white van in his Mother in Laws backyard, scared the shits out of the major, rather alive than DWOL, “dissappeared without official leave”
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Ratagiyaballanta / September 19, 2012
Seriously, just listen to what Mervin preaches- while almost everyone report that Major was on duty at the time he had been assaulted(with an uniform or civil): This means even if you have credible evidences, fradulent ministers can manipulate them easily and favourably.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDgh3AkhCvY
This man is a shame to entire Beliaththa decent villagers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puoW4aMqvuI
what a BS county SL has become ? :(
Mervin can turn every filth to better versions (as a shit eating pig would usually do) using his tactics- but for how long ?(why the defence authorities incl. Defence minister (President of the country) have to dance on Mervin´s rhythem is NOT yet clear).
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Pacha Epa / September 19, 2012
The only thing missing from this piece of Theatre of the Absurd was comment from that monumental hypocrite, Malinda Seneviratne. Now, the circle is complete!
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SERUVILA SENARATH / September 19, 2012
agreed , You are correct.
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Tharindu / September 19, 2012
Thought i’ll share this.
The writer,Sachine Jayawickrame is the elder brother of Rehan Wijeratne-Jayawickreme who is at the centre of the controversy regarding the assault on an Army Major outside the JAIC Hilton.
Assault on army Major outside JAIC Hilton
I am NOT proud of what has occurred
September 17, 2012, 7:01 pm
by Sachine Jayawickreme
(The writer is the elder brother of Rehan Wijeratne-Jayawickreme who is at the centre of the controversy regarding the assault on an Army Major outside the JAIC Hilton.)
First of all I must say that I was indeed surprised when I read the Sunday papers early this morning. I was expecting a bloodbath to say the least. Instead, what I read was both thought provoking and humbling and this is why I believe I should write this. I have given this matter a bit of thought and I thought I might contribute towards the debate in constructive manner.
During the next few paragraphs I will be wearing many hats, ranging from that of a son, a grand-son, a nephew, a brother and a law enforcement officer. Importantly, I must emphasize that this is NOT a defence of my brother by any means, nor is it meant to appear that I am jumping on the “My ancestors were great people” band-wagon. It is meant purely to emphasize certain points made in the POLITICAL WATCH Column yesterday, and to possibly add to the debate.
I will start off by saying that I am in a way happy to a certain extent to see that the social media is contributing towards helping create and sustain debate in relation to news stories of public interest. It is necessary that such debate take place, especially in an environment where there is debate in relation to the freedom of the media. After all, a free media is integral in the path towards having a robust democracy.
One issue that I take umbrage to and I will gladly engage in any debate with anyone at anytime, is the insinuation that the parents, grand-parents and other family members are to blame for the short-comings and failings of my brother. This is an antiquated theory which is to a certain extent true. But to ignore all other factors, such as the impact of friends and peers, the erosion of values, and a warped sense of reality amongst many others and focus solely on a person’s upbringing is prejudicial to the argument.
Yes, my brother and I are from privileged backgrounds. And I do not apologize for that. In fact I am proud to call Lofty Wijeratne and Mabel Wijeratne my grand-parents. I am proud to have a mother who
during most of her early life managed to raise her children as a single-mother (an achievement in western nations which is held in high regard). I am proud to have a father who has recovered from life-threatening illness and is back walking again. I am proud that I have uncle’s and aunties who have showered me with love, respect, and patience. I am proud that I had the privilege to meet and get to know my step-father, the late Mano Wijeyratne.
BUT, I am NOT proud about what has occurred in relation to my brother and the choices he has made in life. In fact it saddens me. It angers me, and it frustrates me. And that is me feeling this way, down under in Australia. I could only imagine the stress and anxiety it is causing those back at home. I could also understand the frustration that the citizens in the country feel but I will leave that argument to those who actually live there. I do not have the right to comment or pass judgment while being away from the country for almost 11 years.
No one can turn around and say at any stage that my family from all three sides, the Wijeratne’s, the Jayawickrame’s and Uncle Mano Wijeyratne have been corrupt or have amassed wealth in ill-gotten ways. I challenge anyone to say otherwise and if they do, to produce evidence to suggest as such. Privileged we may be, but corrupt we are not. So, for those who are insinuating on online forums that this is the case, I say put your money where your mouth is and produce some evidence, even a whisper.
When people here in Australia get to know about my back-ground, they say “…you are rich”. I say to them, “I am not rich…my family maybe rich and they have worked for every penny they have”. My wife and I pay a mortgage, we both work full time, pay our tax, our bills and we live quite a comfortable life. Hardly the life of a sibling who’s family is corrupt. I am currently a Law Enforcement Officer in Australia and have been for over three years. I have completed my University Education prior to that and I am also an amateur bodybuilder. Integrity, Respect and Ethics are things that are integral to the sort of work I do and these come easily as I have been instilled with these values from a young age.
So, the question is where have things gone wrong? What are the root causes of what culminated last week, which prompted calls in the wee hours of the morning informing me that my brother might get locked up for assaulting an army officer? I will try and keep my thoughts short and succinct.
Friends and Peers: I can proudly say that the friends that I keep in touch with on a regular basis in Sri Lanka have contributed to me being where I am today. They do not come from privileged backgrounds but are hard-working, loyal, respectful and have the same values that I hold in high regard and have mentioned earlier. Some of them I have known from school, others as neighbours or as people who share common interests. What is glaring though is the fact that I do not have any friends, even acquaintances who are from a political back-ground.
We used to go out, get drunk, walk home for miles or 15 of us pack into a three wheeler and scrounge around to collect Rs. 200 so we can go to the beach and buy another bottle. We also used to take the bus to school, go to the shop for a plain tea and a bun and (try and sneak a cigarette before school).
Later on after finishing school, most of us got jobs. Wore a tie and a shirt and went in the bus to work (I got a job as a salesperson at Janashakthi Insurance for a year). We could not afford to go to clubs every week and run high tabs. We did not have armed guards following us around everywhere and we certainly did not even know what cocaine looked like.
Change of political culture: Once upon a time in Sri Lanka, politicians were educated, had university degrees, were great public speakers, did community work before they got into mainstream politics and instilled those same values in their off-spring. Fast forward to now and the landscape has changed. Sometimes you wonder if you are watching a scene out of a mafia movie. When I came back to Sri Lanka before getting married, I went to a couple of clubs with my friends.
What I saw both surprised me and saddened me at the same time it also educated me on how lucky I am to have parents and family who would have never condoned this type of behaviour and the things that went around in the clubs.
To this day I can confidently walk into any night club or night spot alone and not worry for my safety. Unfortunately I cannot say the same about my brother or the company he keeps.
Drugs, women, alcohol and the underworld: I have seen a lot of drugs in my time as a Law Enforcement Officer, but I am yet to see the quantities I have seen when I was in some clubs in Sri Lanka.
Furthermore, I have not seen anywhere else, the amounts that are spent on the bar as I have in Sri Lanka. It is obscene to say the least. But that is the sad reality, Drugs, and women, in most cases foreign women from the Ukraine, Russia, Poland etc and the underworld. I can waffle on and on and on … but I will stop by speaking to my brother directly.
“You are an adult now, and well past being a teenager. The choices that you make in life will define not only who you are, but will also reflect on your family and friends. They will reflect on your ancestors and all that they have built in respect to a legacy and reputation which to this day people hold in high regard, but has been immeasurably damaged due to the poor choices you have made in life.
But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, a tunnel albeit which you have got yourself into through your own doing. That light is that you dedicate the next few years to repair that damage you have caused, to right the wrongs of the past by proving that you can be a good citizen, a good son, a good grand-son, a decent human being. The path forward to you is now to realise that life is not about wine, women and song. That to change the mentality in Sri Lanka that it is “Who you know and not What you know”, requires people like you to change their attitude towards life in general. That, you have a responsibility to honour the work done by your ancestors by working towards the betterment of the country, by doing community work away from the camera’s and publicity, by devoting your time towards helping the under-privileged and those without voices in our society. If it’s a political profile you want to build, then the easy way forward would be to continue the way you are going. But, if you want to do the honourable thing, the manly thing then you would change the priorities in your life and take the long and hard road towards vindicating yourself and your family and creating a legacy which you can call your own”.
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Chris / September 19, 2012
A well thought out and sincere message which holds lots of good advice, not just for his brother, but also for the youth of Sri Lanka. Hats off to this gentleman who is proof that not all ‘privileged’ people are boors and thugs.
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Kapila Kahapola, UAE / September 19, 2012
Dear Sachine Jayawickrame,
Touching… Seriously !!! Hats Off to You & Your Parents !!!
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Rajeeva / September 19, 2012
The Major has withdrawn the complaint. It is simple as that. Dont be fools like the LTTE.
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Jayanath / September 20, 2012
You cant take any action against them (father&son)because the
Leader is under obligation on them
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Anoma / September 20, 2012
Ref. to the article ” ASSAULT ON AN ARMY MAJOR OUTSIDE JIAC HILTON I AM NOT PROUD OF WHAT HAS OCCURED” by Sachine Jayawickrame in the opinion column on Tuesday, 18.9.2012
Dear Sir,
knowing all parties involved in this matter I would like to correct some inaccuracies mentioned therein.
The writer says that his mother raised her children as a single mother most of her early life. He goes on to say “an achievement in western nations which is held in high regard”.
Soon after her first marriage ended Sachine Jayawickrame’s mother married for a second time, a businessman from Homagama. Soon after that marriage ended she married for a third time, the politician the late Mano Wijeyeratne.
Therefore she was never a single mother in her early life as stipulated in Sachine Jayawickrame’s article.
I hope you give my remarks the same prominence as given to Sachine Jayawickrame’s article as I feel the public should know the facts as many things seem to be covered up.
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Sachine Jayawickrame / September 21, 2012
Anoma, I said most of her early years. My mother did not get married straight after her first divorce. In fact she started working for a few years. Nor did she marry her second husband the moment she met him. Nor did she marry the late Mano Wijeyratne soon after that iether. If you read my article closely, you will find that I said most of her early years. I did not state that she did raised her children alone the entire time.
For those who read my article and commented, Thank You. I hope this is a wake up call to all those people who think that sending your children to a good school and doing your utmost best to raise them properly, means that the job is done. The current climate in Colombo is conducive all things that a parent should fear in relation to drugs, thugs, women, guns etc.
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Cynthia de Alwis / September 21, 2012
“So the question is where have things gone wrong?What are the root
causes of what culminated last week which prompted calls in the wee
hours of the morning informing me that my brother might get locked
up for assaulting an army officer…..”
Sachine don’t worry. Nothing has gone wrong. There was NO assault
according to the barmy officer!There was no reason for those
calls to you in Australia.
Your brother is as good as you and your kith and kin can be
justifiably proud of him.
THE ROOT CAUSE is the barmy officer who assaulted himself.
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