By Tush Wickramanayaka –
Tush Wickramanayaka
Please let me extend my deepest sympathies for the demise of your professional career and the pain and embarrassment you are suffering personally.
Injustice Anywhere IS A Threat To Justice Everywhere
We, Sri Lankans are shockingly witnessing the unfathomable drama that is unfolding on a daily basis, ably performed by many actors of politics, ethnicities and religions that put the prestigious Oscar winners to the gutter. I was not surprised though to see you amongst them recently. After witnessing the horrific images of the country’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), attempting to assault a law abiding, innocent elevator operator in 2017, and realizing that you did not apologize for your misconduct, made me cringe of the lawlessness that was soon doomed upon us. You got away scot free without so much as a disciplinary warning against conduct unbecoming of an officer, proving beyond all reasonable doubt that injustice is familiar ammunition in your armory.
Perhaps, it is this lack of professionalism that you displayed as the Chief of Police, which trickled down to other members of the Sri Lanka Police force who were riddled with reports of corruption.
On 5th June 2018 I came to see you in desperation seeking justice for my 11 year old daughter who was subjected to corporal punishment at Gateway College, Negombo. I was concerned about the lack of progress of investigation from the police division of National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) and the continuing harassment, which led my daughter to become mentally unwell. I recall how bemused I was to see a bust of Lord Buddha on your table with flashing lights and chanting ‘pirith’ at a volume louder than our conversation. I recall also how you had three mobile phones on your table, all ringing simultaneously, distracting you from a sensitive conversation. Your immediate response was to bark at every caller and abruptly end the conversation with them. I even offered to reduce the volume of the ‘pirith’, which you vehemently refused. It seemed like you required a crutch for your fragile state of mind.
After listening to my appeal, you strongly denied that you were influenced by a high ranking government officer to dismiss my daughter’s investigation. You were adamant that, “the best thing about this regime (Yahapalanaya) is I am not influenced by anyone when carrying out my duties”. After listening to the telephone conversation where the said government officer admits directly, “I instructed the IGP”, you were instantly engulfed with the same amnesic disorder of Ravi Karunanayake and Duminda De Silva. “I can’t remember”, was your pathetic response. When the OIC, NCPA failed to recognize your voice when you called, you pulverized him, “yako mama IG, tho danne nadda man kavuda kiyala?!” (I am IG, you devil, don’t you know who I am?!) and a choice of other colourful words. Your lack of integrity and hypocrisy was witnessed by the chanting Buddha. Despite your reassurance, you did nothing to expedite my daughter’s case or to protect an innocent, young citizen. In fact, the police division of NCPA, which falls directly under your jurisdiction, totally mishandled the case. I was compelled to report to the Independent Police Commission.
Our Lives Begin To End The Day We Become Silent About The Things That Matter
I see the drama that is unfolding upon us as a game of chess. You were the Knight inadvertently assigned to protect the King and 225 courtiers. I am certain that many fellow citizens will agree that your misguided allegiance to protect the King has now demoted you to the status of a pawn.
You were appointed as the 34th Inspector General of Police of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on 20th April 2016. You were expected to prosecute cases against former President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa and his allies and other alleged injustices of high profile individuals.
On 23rd September 2018, government’s major newspaper, Sunday Observer reported the following:
“Since his appointment in April 2016, to the post as the country’s 34th Inspector General of Police (IGP), Pujith Senadhi Bandara Jayasundara has managed to attract calls for his removal almost every year.
Just eight months into his appointment, in December 2016, the IGP was heard speaking with an unidentified caller, which he answered in the middle of making a speech at a ceremony held in Ratnapura and was heard to say that he will instruct the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID) to refrain from arresting a certain individual.
Again in April 2017 footage was released, showing an infuriated IGP shouting at a lift operator at the Police Headquarters for not attending the meditation program introduced and made compulsory by him. At the very end of the video clip the IGP is seen threatening a female receptionist with rape.
Early this month another footage where the IGP is seen acting in an unsuitable manner and disrespecting several Buddhist monks at a function, emerged. With this and several other allegations that were made regarding close ties between the IGP and Head of Terrorist Investigation Unit, D.I.G Nalaka de Silva who is currently on temporary leave due to being investigated, has resulted in yet again calls for the removal of the IGP.
As on previous occasions where many including civil society activists, politicians and even the ordinary man on the streets is of the view that the IGP should be removed or that he should resign from his post”.
You refused to apologize and you refused to resign then too but the King and the 225 courtiers protected you.
Your allegiance to please the King was obvious when you unashamedly threw yourself at his mercy and did 100 crunches in public, even embarrassing the King who ordered you to stop, “enough, enough, otherwise I will have to look for another IGP”.
We, the silent majority who helplessly watched this drama unfolding upon us since the fateful day you were appointed as our chief guardian began to suffocate well before your silence in the events leading up to the Easter Sunday tragedy. You can try to pass the responsibility and deny accountability but you played with our money and our lives. Our hard earned tax money provided you with a comfortable life; you abused our trust. Many innocent lives succumbed to the conflict generated by your selfish lethargy to speak; you sacrificed humanity. Many now disbelieve your excuses justifying your guilty silence whilst you have been reduced to a fallen pawn on life support; you tested our patience.
To Believe In Something, And Not To Live It, Is Dishonest
We, the majority ethical citizenry resolve injustices fallen upon us by following the recommended legitimate pathways without media support as the first breath of air.
When I filed a FR petition/public interest litigation case at Supreme Court on behalf of my daughter and all children of Sri Lanka in March 2019, I was advised by my legal team to refrain from going to the media because we believed in the presumed fairness of the judiciary. ‘Justice was blind’ and we did not wish to stain the impartiality of the judiciary. Even after the case was shockingly dismissed and despite the inaccurate coverage of the verdict by Ceylon Today and Mawbima owned by Alles family (Gateway Group) we have refrained from going to the media because we still believe that justice will be served.
On the contrary, you seem to have resorted to media attention instantly by publishing your FR petition even before the judiciary has given a single instruction about it. Your efforts appear to be to take advantage of the sympathy of the citizens who are embroiled in an emotional roller coaster of lies and deceit since the Easter Sunday tragedy. You appear to be suddenly playing the victim to resurrect your integrity for political survival. You appear to be pressurizing public scrutiny of the judiciary that will be compelled to act in your favor. Your actions suggest that you mistrust the system you helped to create.
Since you have destroyed what I believe as simple ethics, I am sure you would not mind hearing this tape of how Sri Lanka Police on 12th April 2019, under your command, became paralyzed by external pressures. The OIC of Seeduwa Police was ineffective to implement Law and Order to conclude an inquiry into a complaint I made against the Chairman of Gateway College. This is the same child whom you failed to protect over a year ago; a victim of ongoing uniformed inefficiency and corruption.
In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “The future depends on what you do today”.
I fervently hope you will find the courage to be honest and admit your failures and exhibit loyalty to your fellow citizens whom you were truly assigned to protect because karma is a bitch when served chilled!
JD / June 10, 2019
He is on PAID leave. So, for what purpose and on what basis He complains via FR petition ?
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Old codger / June 10, 2019
This pathetic excuse for an IGP is just the tip of an iceberg, which is the total incompetence of the public service. How did the public service come to this state? In the old days, mostly only candidates from certain big schools were admitted to higher levels of the service. Filtering was carried out through personal interviews which identified the applicant’s attitudes and abilities.
I am not condoning elitism, but the system produced senior officers who while not being perfect, were far from being the eccentric bullies cum religious nuts that we have now. Any senior of the past would have resigned rather than order his minions to do yoga. Clearly yoga has had no effect on this guy, going by his bullying ways.
It is time we woke up and found some way to make sure top positions are occupied by people of quality rather than accidental gamaralas . Top govt servants MUST be people of real education, and the only way to make sure of that is to have a panel of even more educated and cultured people to vet them. Just for the record, I might mention that the Nalin De Silva’s and Weerawansas wouldn’t fit in that category in spite of having degrees
The Police in particular are supposed to enforce the law without any political or religious discrimination. What can a non- Buddhist expect from an IGP who installs religion in his government office?
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Native Vedda / June 11, 2019
Old codger
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“Clearly yoga has had no effect on this guy, going by his bullying ways.”
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Perhaps Modi’s Hindutva yoga is catching up with the IGP.
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“It is time we woke up and found some way to make sure top positions are occupied by people of quality rather than accidental gamaralas . “
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Whichever way you recruit, the best candidate will have to learn to survive among the crooks, controlled by crooks, serve in the interests of crooks, ……… fit in with crowd. If the best/honest candidate refuses to serve that could be the end of his career, …………… . Why jeopardize endless possibilities by being a stupid little man/women of honesty.
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“and the only way to make sure of that is to have a panel of even more educated and cultured people to vet them.”
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I am sorry where would you find such people.
Are you suggesting the state imports such people from Singapore, Canada, Scandinavian countries, …………….. perhaps from moon ?
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Some observations on net:
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Why are there no nativity scenes in Washington D.C.?
Because they can’t find three wise men.
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What do politicians and diapers have in common?
They should both be changed regularly, and for the same reason.
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Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.
-Groucho Marx.
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A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country.
-Tex Guinan.
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Old codger / June 11, 2019
Native,
“am sorry where would you find such people.
Are you suggesting the state imports such people from Singapore, Canada, Scandinavian countries, ………”
You got the idea, Native.
But are they willing to come ?
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D.P. / June 10, 2019
This is not a direct reply to JD but rather an indirect opinion relevant to the subject. I saw two different news report which I thought are somehow related. The first came Rev Cardinal Ranjith who seems to be suggesting that there is no one single person to be held accountable for 21/4 terrorist attack b’cos SL intelligence system failed to notice its development which needed several yrs. The second is news of handing over the final report of Malalgoda inquiry. I tend to suspect that these two news are related & that Cardinal’s statement was based on some conclusions reached by Malalgoda inquiry.
The meaning of relationship is important for two reasons: 1. It suggests that Cardinal has been notified by some sources associated with final report of it findings. 2. It also suggest that conclusions are designed to exonerate MY 3 from the security failure and Cardinal is going along with it .
As I maintained always, SL intelligence system never has been able to penetrate organized crimes of any sort throughout the history. This has been the story since 1971. That is why both Nilanatha J & Sisra M failed to verify the detailed repeated Indian tip. But, this failure does not provide MY 3 any reason to lie and then sacrifice the careers of two innocent public servants in order to cover it up. There is another very important question: Why MY 3 fail to wonder why India is sending repeated detailed warning when his men can’t verify them? If MY 3 considered India as a “friendly nation” as he mention in his address on 22/4, why didn’t he called Modi to find out what is going on? He didn’t b’cos, contary to what he said, MY 3 treated Modi as an enemy. Therefore, no matter what the Malalgoda report might say, MY 3 cannot go free.
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Suranga Gunasekera / June 10, 2019
As a society we all have failed. It’s a common phrase in Lanka “I know this one and it will be done.”
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Corruption is from top to bottom. Even at work it’s not what you know or what you’re good at, but who you know and your relationship that takes you places.
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Every one is racing against each other without any ethics to guide us. The same issue has gone to the school, hence we have destroyed their childhood.
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All we are good at is playing the blame game. We have only a little information but our emotions are framing opinions. Either we are too busy or lazy to acquire more information and rationalize the opinion.
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IGP might have many faults like many of us, but like us he is also a victim because of a failing system.
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What we are really saying is he should have violate a direct order and acted unlawfully on behalf of us.
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I think he did that to an extent, but without braking the law. What we should do is support him rather than accuse him.
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We got to send the message to the top, that we support the righteous and reject the corrupt.
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Dilhara / June 10, 2019
Great, Thanks For writing this, Thush!
The Gateway college, is full of spinners a fake academic institution that was recently host to the Fake Terror Xpert from Singapore Rohan Gunaratne, who has links to the CIA and Saudi Funded and CIA run Islamic State and who was expounding on the need to have a draconian Counter-Terrorism Bill to shut up good people like Madam Thush. RG seems to have a hotline direct to Islamic State’s Mr. Al Bagdadi!
Gateway College and RG should be shut down and or shut up!
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D.P. / June 10, 2019
Tush,
I think that you don’t know the difference between the police Dpt & the court system. How can you find fault with the IGP if the court dismissed your charges which was filed as a civil case; not as a criminal case? Also, your complain about IGP using “colorful language” make sense only if his “mood” also was in the “color red”; b’cos, we all use colorful language in informal settings.
In any case, it is obvious that your “momentary observation” of IGP’s behavior has no bearing whatsoever on the security failure for three main reasons: 1. Verifying the authenticity of the Indian tip was exclusively in the hands of Nilantha Jayawrdena. 2. He has been excluded from security meetings over more tan four months. 3. It was up to the Prez, as the minister of both the police & defense, to order a large scale security operation that certainly will disrupt public life.
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shankar / June 10, 2019
” karma is a bitch when served chilled!”
Actually imagine you are going for dinner to the karma restaurant.First thing you notice is there is no menu card.You call the waiter and say where is the menu card.How can i order.he says to you “sir,in this restaurant you don’t need to order anything.You will get what you deserve.”.
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nimal fernando / June 10, 2019
Ms Wickramanayaka,
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No offence, but hope you are aware of the meaning of your first name. Be careful not to use it outside the country.
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Tush / June 10, 2019
Nimal Fernando – having lived overseas for nearly 20years without reference to my name, only a fellow citizen will speak from his derriere!
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nimal fernando / June 11, 2019
I first said “No offence” …….. only a “fellow citizen” will take offence for an act of kindness! :))
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If you are aware then that’s fine.
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I will stop at that ………. I’m not in the business of offending ladies in forums.
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Again, no offence.
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Raman / June 11, 2019
Mr. Fernando,
A little background info. This “Tush” is Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka’s daughter. Probably Thushara shortened to make it easy for suddas ?
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nimal fernando / June 11, 2019
Ms Wickramanayaka,
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Lankans have a zany way of picking names for their children or names for themselves – like the Chinese anglicising their names.
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I always tease Lacille about his name first thinking it was Lucille to later discover there is actually a Lucille in the Tea Board. There was a boy named “Beauty” in my class in pre-school. And a “fellow citizen” whose house was named Sexville because his name happens to be Sextus.
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Some day a book can be written about the idiosyncrasies of “fellow citizens!” :))
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Only now I had the time to read your piece ……. and as a parent with children of my own, I didn’t in anyway mean to belittle the pain you are feeling for the injustice done to your child.
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And it is great that you have the courage, fortitude and the knowledge/education – which many of our less fortunate citizens lack – to fight for your rights ………. I wish you well and hope you find a satisfactory outcome ………. it can only help the greater Lankan society.
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Best of luck.
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Rtd. Lt. Reginald Shamal Perera / June 10, 2019
Nimal Fernando,
From the urban dictionary, it means one’s rear-end. What about it?
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K.Pillai / June 10, 2019
Thanks Tush Wickramanayaka for reminding us the infamous saga ‘Pujith manhandling lift operator’.
By the way, the victim was not a Police Department employee.
A bit unfair Tush labelling Pujith a {“Supporting Actor Responsible For Collapse Of Law & Order…”}
‘Law & Order’ collapsed much earlier. Pujith was not required to uphold this.
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The loud/constant Pirith Chant explained: Pujith got the ‘dream’ job through astrology, kattadiya trance, devil dancing sessions and the like. Unfortunately Karma sneaked. Pujith is trying to counteract.
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Gateway College, Negombo punished an eleven year old child mentally and physically. Gateway expected “Wait long enough and Tush will go away’.
Tush will not.
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STAY AWAKE / June 11, 2019
When educated minds are veiled with superstions & myths which polluttes true beliefs and philosophy which are perfect in reasoning ,you will not only have warped minds that lead young men to terrorism ,such thoughts will take over minds of politicians, The law ,Teachers ,businessman profesionals and religous leaders ,which will only drag the nation and its people away from wisdom and justice .
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K A Sumanasekera / June 11, 2019
Thushara hasn’t held back any punches here, going after the UNP IGP Pujitha, to avenge Pujitha for not coming to protect Thushara’s Daughter from Corporal Punishment.
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Wish we had even one man of this Calibre to speak up for our poor Sinhala Inhabitants on this Esteemed Form , when Dr Ranil’s F*******CID was going after our poor Sinhala Buddhists and their Monks..
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Dr Ranil’s F*******CID spent good 2 years persecuting Sinhala Buddhists and interrogating even the Old King’s frail Mother in Law , to find out the hiding places of Gold Thoroughbreds and Red Ferraris..-
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Even with all the Over Time ,the F******CID only managed to find a Baby Elephant hidden by a caring Buddhist Monk who was bottle feeding it in his Temple..
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Wonder whether this IGP Pujitha was listening to Pitrith when he singed all those O/T sheets for the F******CID boss and his Staff?…
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BTW, wonder whether Dr Ranil had given instructions to IGP Pujitha to get that USD 18 Billion which Dr Ranil’s buddy Dr Rajitha and Dr Rnil’s sort of adopted UNP Son Chatura inspected and counted in the Arab Bank?.
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Could that be the reason for IGP Pujitha not having time to check on the “Intelligence ” of his Police Unit and prevent the Demolition of our Catholic Community?..
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By The Pen / June 11, 2019
What a brave lady ,what a dynamic article .
Copral punishment for not doing my homework.in.70’s made me bedridden for 3 years at a very young age.
Are we citizens going to turn a blind eye.and a deaf ear ?which we have been doing for 70.years and blame the rest of the world or are we going to support this lady and make sure this is the last child to have any form of copral.punishment ?
With all the appeal made by Cardinal and other religous leaders ,the government coud not stop the criminals take advantage over the death of innocent victims, the criminal.mobs behaved the same way as Zaharan the terorist and while some innocent.muslims are still hidding in jungles and yet again.after more than.a month no respect is shown.to.the victims ,yesterday once again.the mob leaders realaesed on.petty civil.law seems to.have begun.their attrocities by burning down.a muslim shop.
It seems some elements are working tirelessly to.kick. start a ISIS teroror war in.Sri Lanka which failed to take course as planned.
Afterall for a segement of our fellow citizens only money ,luxuios (pada show) houses ,luxuiors cars that consume large fuel and altimately leading the nation.to.bancruptsy matters, seem like a ISIS war would be the perfect way for a quick.buck.to.obtain.and maintain such luxurirs for certain segment of crimnals .
Day by day the unity of the people are destroyed because we the people are allowimg it.
The future genetation has no hope at all here.
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double standards / June 11, 2019
writer of this article, another entitled sri lankan. meets IGP of Sri lanka to look into copral punishment in gateway! pathetic.. IGP is pathetic – writer even more so.
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Tush / June 11, 2019
double standards – what is pathetic is the lack of knowledge of the the rights that EVERY citizen is entitled to. CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 11 – No person shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 12 (1) – All persons are equal before the law, and are entitled to the equal protection of the law. There are NO double standards for rich or poor, educated or not, able or disabled. After 72 years of freedom, some still thrive on the submissive mentality of social hierarchy, which has shackled us from true progress, amplified by your pseudo name!
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Menzi / June 16, 2019
seems to be that you are at the police station everyday, you still on about you daughters ear being pulled 2 years on? The police do have very important matters on at the moment, not everything is about you and your spoilt kids. It must be hard for somebody of your high sozial standing and privilege to accept this.
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menzi / June 16, 2019
very mean of you publishing the recording of the police woman, she’s just just doing her job. Did you tell her you were recording the telephone conversation?
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Tush / June 16, 2019
Menzi, A country’s law should apply to everyone equally and promptly. In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same. According to you, people of “high social standing and privilege” should simply ignore their misfortunes. Try saying that to the many unresolved cases pursued by family of Thajudeen or daughter of Lasantha or 21 million people affected by the BOND scam. Because JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED! Suggest you read the article well. Police woman is not implicated anywhere in the article.
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menzi / June 19, 2019
she is implicated by the fact that you recorded the conversation with her, and you have published this, did you ask her permission?
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Tush / June 16, 2019
Menzi, A country’s law should apply to everyone equally and promptly. In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same. According to you, people of “high social standing and privilege” should simply ignore their misfortunes. Try saying that to the many unresolved cases pursued by family of Thajudeen or daughter of Lasantha or 21 million people affected by the BOND scam. Because JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED! Suggest you read the article well. Police woman is not implicated anywhere in the article.
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Menzi / June 19, 2019
All this has to do with social standing and privilege? ‘Great upbringing.’ How much time do the police and authorities require to investigate your small and constant complaints; but as you say ‘no difference between large and small problems’, so we keep on with your small one, the authorities have too–your ‘privilege’ makes them. Take your children, away from this school, you, your children, the teachers, the school can then function in a normal manner. Or is this all about you?
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