Watareka Thera’s Melodrama, Cousin spills the beans

---

---

Watareka  Vijitha Thera recently  hit the head lines of every paper and the electronic media over his abduction and the bodily harm he had encountered alleged to have been caused by his abductors. His subsequent declaration  stating that  the injuries were self inflicted created more sensation and anxious readers were awaiting more highlights on this melodrama. Cousin of  Ven Watareka Thera, Chanaka Amerasinghe a supporting actor in this melodrama , said to be a relative of Watareka Thera when confronted by the media spilled the beans of this episode.
 

Tell us first about your relationship to Watareka Thera.

Watareka Thera is my mother’s elder sister’s  son.

Does he visit your house  in Arangala often.

Yes, he had been visiting us from 1999 on and off.

Do you remember what he told you during his last visit to your house?

I remember him telling “I need to gain popularity by doing something”.

Did you ask him about the reasons for his sudden idea.

No, I thought it must have been his own idea. The Thera had helped me in various ways and he had a great regard for me. We as a family had much understanding with him as he was a Buddhist monk.

When was the last visit the Thera had made to your house?

I I remember well that he visited us on last 17th, and if I remember well it was around 02.30 in the afternoon.

Were you aware of his visit?

Yes, he had spoken to my wife and said that he is coming to our place and if we were leaving home to have the gate kept open.

Did the Thera inform you from where he was travelling to your place and the reasons for his coming?

He informed that he was coming from Colombo after meeting someone. He arrived by a Nano car hired by him and walked straight into the house.

Did anyone other than you and your wife know about the Thera’s visit to your place?

No, as he requested us not to tell even my mother.

Didnt you ask why ?

He said that he was scared of the BBS and if they found out that he was here they would come after him, and he wanted me to lock the  gate from outside.

Did you have any discussion with him?

I presented him the gilan pasa and we were in conversation, but he did not say anything unusual. The following day after offering breakfast to him I went to work.

What happened then?

On the 19th night he wanted me to bring my vehicle and to take him to a lonely spot. After he got into the vehicle I drew it  along Pannipitiya junction and from a short cut in Arawwala road, we arrived at Kesbewa junction and along the Bandaragama road, we travelled near a place where we could see the Bolgoda river. After turning into a by road and passing about two kilometres we spotted a lonely place where there was a culvert as well.

Then what did you do?

I stopped the vehicle and Watareka Thera alighted. The time was about 02.00 am. The Thera asked me to tie him up and leave him there and go home. I followed his instructions and came home.

How  did you come to know that the monks robes had been removed and tied up by an unidentified group ?

I saw it in the electronic media, the Thera previously instructed how to answer the police if  I am questioned, and I told the police exactly what the Thera wanted me to say.

What did you tell the police?

I told them that when the Thera was travelling with me he received a  telephone call and stopped the vehicle at Thalahena and a stranger took the Thera in his car and I returned home.

Were you not afraid to tell a lie like this to the police?

I could not disobey the monk and I never thought that this matter would become so serious, and also as the Thera had helped me much I could not put away the request he made.

You told the truth to the police and also why you fabricated.

Yes, I told the truth to the police.

If I say that you tied the hands of the monk?

No, never.  I only dropped him at the place where he requested me. I am not aware of anything that happened thereafter.

Were you not aware that Watareka Thera had been intimidated  in Slave Island and prior to that at the Pradeshiya Council grounds?

Yes, I knew he was scared of the Bodu Bala Sena.

Did any other person visit him when he was in your house in Arangal?  

A No, he was hiding and did not want anyone to know his whereabouts, and no one could come as I had put a padlock the gate.

Translated by Bernard Edirisinghe