Threats to Sirimal Wijesinghe from religious extremist
- Wednesday, 25 June 2014
The well - known artist and writer Sirimal Wijesinghe says that he was under the threats from religious extremist. He aware the media by issuing press statement regarding this matter.
The full text of the message of Sirimal Wijesinghe as follows.
I m Sirimal Wijesinghe, I began filming an International Documentary film against the extremely racial and religious organization such as Bodu Bala Sena. As a Film Director, Writer, Social - Political Critic and a Journalist, I regard it as my absolute right to do so.
I write not with deep sorrow but with great hate to inform your media organization that I’m under the usual threat from the said religious organizations.
1. In April 2014 I made the public aware about making the documentary film via social media. This was not published on any of the heroic printed, electric or web media functioning from Sri Lanka, but only on websites that function from abroad namely Pathula, Lankanewsweb and Realitypos .
2. For overseas filming of the documentary I applied for visa from the Netherlands Embassy in Colombo on 26 – 05 -2014. But the Sinhala – Buddhist spies of the Embassy had supplied all my documents to the Bodu Bala Sena organization. All preparations and copying of the documents were done in my house and the only set of documents that I gave out was submitted to the Embassy.
3. By calling a press conference on 10 – 06 - 2014, the Bodu Bala Sena organization determined that all efforts of traitors including my documentary film will be stopped in any method whether it’s good or bad. Though my name was not stated, my documents which the organization received from the spies of the Embassy were exposed to the media representatives.
4. Moreover they asserted that the names of the film crew would be published in due course and that the details of the crew are already provided to the defense forces.
2. For overseas filming of the documentary I applied for visa from the Netherlands Embassy in Colombo on 26 – 05 -2014. But the Sinhala – Buddhist spies of the Embassy had supplied all my documents to the Bodu Bala Sena organization. All preparations and copying of the documents were done in my house and the only set of documents that I gave out was submitted to the Embassy.
3. By calling a press conference on 10 – 06 - 2014, the Bodu Bala Sena organization determined that all efforts of traitors including my documentary film will be stopped in any method whether it’s good or bad. Though my name was not stated, my documents which the organization received from the spies of the Embassy were exposed to the media representatives.
4. Moreover they asserted that the names of the film crew would be published in due course and that the details of the crew are already provided to the defense forces.
5. I believe this fictitious media presentation was exhibited that night through all TV channels. Though I did not see it on TV, I found it on the internet.
6. Furthermore an article was published on the 19th page of the 11 – 06 - 2014 Lankadeepa daily newspaper, under the heading “Attempts are made to make films insulting the Bodu Bala Sena Internationally – Galagodaatte Thero”. I was made aware that this was published on all other daily newspapers.
7. On 14th June 2014, two civil personalities had wandered nearby my wife’s parent’s house and asked for my whereabouts from the neighbors presenting police Identities.
6. Furthermore an article was published on the 19th page of the 11 – 06 - 2014 Lankadeepa daily newspaper, under the heading “Attempts are made to make films insulting the Bodu Bala Sena Internationally – Galagodaatte Thero”. I was made aware that this was published on all other daily newspapers.
7. On 14th June 2014, two civil personalities had wandered nearby my wife’s parent’s house and asked for my whereabouts from the neighbors presenting police Identities.
8. The neighbors of my sisters too reported that around 2 pm the same day, a similar questioning had been carried out near her house.
9. At around 4.30 pm on that day I informed these incidents to my friend Mr. Mahinda Ileperuma Director – Presidents Media Unit, further requesting to inform the President about the life threats I’m facing and to take necessary actions to secure my life.
10. With the intercession of Mr. Mahinda Ileperuma and Senior DIG Anura Senanayake, the head of the Piliyandala police station C I Mr. Somarathna visited my house and carried out an investigation over the incidents and since then every two hours after 9 pm a police jeep patrols nearby my house. Additionally they promised to visit me in instances of an emergency standby call.
11. Even though the same police department is dumb while the Buddhist monks are incinerating the brotherly Muslim community, I thank them for helping me personally.
12. But my life exists on unobserved danger during day time. I do not intend to hide myself simply because of the experiences I possess as a political being. But I do intend to make the public aware of my threat for my own protection. Clearly for the reason that we are still inoffensive against the roguish Buddhist forces.
13. Finally for the love of my child I make it out, if any harm is done to my life similarly to what happened to my dearest close friend and colleague Prageeth Ekneligoda, Galagodaatte Gnanasara and the laic power forces behind the seen are to be held sternly responsible.
Also I urge from your media organization to raise a broad call against the threats faced by me and my film crew. I strongly believe you would act accordingly to protect me, who have struggled politically for over three decades against nationalism and fanaticism.
9. At around 4.30 pm on that day I informed these incidents to my friend Mr. Mahinda Ileperuma Director – Presidents Media Unit, further requesting to inform the President about the life threats I’m facing and to take necessary actions to secure my life.
10. With the intercession of Mr. Mahinda Ileperuma and Senior DIG Anura Senanayake, the head of the Piliyandala police station C I Mr. Somarathna visited my house and carried out an investigation over the incidents and since then every two hours after 9 pm a police jeep patrols nearby my house. Additionally they promised to visit me in instances of an emergency standby call.
11. Even though the same police department is dumb while the Buddhist monks are incinerating the brotherly Muslim community, I thank them for helping me personally.
12. But my life exists on unobserved danger during day time. I do not intend to hide myself simply because of the experiences I possess as a political being. But I do intend to make the public aware of my threat for my own protection. Clearly for the reason that we are still inoffensive against the roguish Buddhist forces.
13. Finally for the love of my child I make it out, if any harm is done to my life similarly to what happened to my dearest close friend and colleague Prageeth Ekneligoda, Galagodaatte Gnanasara and the laic power forces behind the seen are to be held sternly responsible.
Also I urge from your media organization to raise a broad call against the threats faced by me and my film crew. I strongly believe you would act accordingly to protect me, who have struggled politically for over three decades against nationalism and fanaticism.
It is senseless to engrave poems in my tombstone once I’m gone. Demonstrations opposite the Fort railway station will not bring back my life. With the second disappearance of Prageeth’s, I would like to inform our dearest Mrs. Sandhaya Ekneligoda additionally, as to how long it has been that I myself realized the nudity of the aristocracy civil society that surrounds me. Late honorable President H E. J. R.. Jayawardana forgive us for cursing you for your preaching; “You have to find your own security”.
Sirimal Wijesinghe
