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I don’t know why mobs attacked my homes, says Geetha
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Veteran silver screen actress turned politician Geetha Kumarasinghe who is still getting over the shock after mobs broke into her Nawala residence and destroyed her ancestral home in Bentota, says she still does not understand why her residences were targeted.
“I never uttered a word against those taking part in the “Aragalaya” campaign at Galle Face. I did not organise buses to bring supporters for the May 9 meeting at Temple Trees or take part in the meeting there, but still I became a target,” Ms Kumarasinghe told the Sunday Times in an interview.
The award-winning film actress said several of her treasured awards gained during her film career spanning over four decades had been destroyed by the mobs. Among them was the award for her performance in the film ‘Palama Yata’.
“After the violence started on May 9 and my house in Bentota was attacked I had some suspicion that mobs may come to my residence in Nawala as well. The following evening I was lying in bed thinking whether it was worth remaining in politics. Shortly after dusk there was a power cut and I suddenly heard loud noises and I knew that mobs had broken in,” she said.
“It was one of my aides who dragged me away to safety into an adjoining abandoned land where I stayed for two hours until the Police arrived. I was in a state of shock,” she said.
“Some try to justify the attacks saying that because those in the Aragalaya were attacked there was hatred towards those who attacked them and the houses of politicians were attacked. That is not a correct justification. Law and order has lost its place,” she said.
A burnt vehicle in the premises of Geetha's ancestral home in Bentota. Pix by Indika Handuwala
Ms. Kumarasinghe said she entered politics as she wanted to stand against injustice. “It has been my own way of an “Aragalaya” (struggle). I have been able to represent women in Parliament and to be the only woman from the outh in the current Parliament.
“I sacrificed the cinema industry and entered politics. An artist should always be part of the struggle for the benefit of the people. I had to give up my involvement in cinema completely when I took up to politics.
“But I have failed in my role as a politician, because the government does not understand its role, though I understand the role I need to play. But I will never give up politics. I am a self-made woman and strong. I have a social responsibility,” she said.
“I was glad when I was appointed as the State Minister for performing Arts. That was the first time a person in the arts field was appointed to the post. I was planning so much. Those hopes were dashed in two weeks,” Ms Kumarasinghe added.
Ms Kumarasinghe said that she will continue her political struggle, but has plans to return to the cinema industry as well.
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