A chat with Duminda

Chami SENANAYAKE

When the sun was setting ending a warm day for the busy city of Colombo we had a rendezvous with a charismatic young Provincial Minister Duminda Silva. With curiosity ruling my thoughts before and until I met him to experience and experiment the real person behind the paper cut-outs spattered around the city, banners that were hanging from every pole and endless advertisements that I have seen after arriving back in Sri Lanka after a decade overseas. The Sri Lankan politics has taken a new meaning and we had just won the war, something that I never thought would happen when I left for Australia for studies at that time. That was however, in the past and at present, Duminda Silva seemed a very popular person and known amongst many as a wealthy young politician and I had to figure out just the person behind that persona with a casual chat.

So.., with all these praises, all smiles and all the advertising.. what are your weakness?

He sat down laughing after greeting me.

'No, I don't have any weakness.. not major ones anyway. I am just a normal person.'

Are you really a normal person..?

Yes I am, I am now devoted to politics. It is my life and I love doing politics.

'Really? When did all this began?'

It was almost after my A/L studies.. I started helping less privileged people. Couple of my friends encouraged me and paved me the way.

I have helped about 10,000 people to build houses under my Foundation, 'The Duminda Silva Foundation'. These were the very unfortunate who badly needed a roof over their heads. I have helped people with eye care, wheel chairs, helped children with education support and provided many women with loans to start businesses. I think it was about 6,000 women.

Why only women?

(laughing) No.. no particular reason. I think they are more responsible towards their families and they won't waste that loan money for drinking and gambling, and these women really needed that help for their families.

Is that how you ended up being captured on camera kissed often by grandmothers and such..?

(Laughing out loud)

I can't help it. Maybe a few did kiss me as an appreciation. It was all after helping these people. I liked helping very much and I became very popular. So, about five years ago I decided to enter politics and I became successful in winning votes. I am now the organizer for Kollonnawa for SLFP.

What if you hadn't become a politician?

I did Commerce for my A Levels. That was because I wanted to be a business man someday. I also have been a tea taster and trained under Barkley's. I am still a businessman but now I have no time for that work except for being the owner. My family has been in business from the beginning anyway.

What were the school days like?

I went to President's College in Kotte and then to St. Peter's College. I did a lot of sports like Badminton, Athletics and specially played Rugby for five years, I had school colours for Rugby too.

Not any artistic things?

No. not at all.. I don't have much time to watch movies or such.. even to go out with friends. I like music. When I am free I work out at the gym and listen to music.

How about your family life?

I have two brothers and two sisters, they are involved in different things. And I am single.

Are you planning to be an actor some day?

(Laughing again) No. I most certainly do not. Why do you think so?

Why not.. people believe you got the looks, the money and you might even consider acting some day?

(Blushing.) I know you are kidding Chami. No I won't do that. No acting for me. My days are filled with many events such as meetings, functions, charity work and work at my office. I am always very busy. (He said while looking at his watch)

So.., who is 'Duminda Silva'?

I am just a normal guy. But, I am now dedicated to eliminating poverty in this country.

We know that would never happen.. Aren't those just dreams and ambitions, or perhaps beautiful excuses?

'I didn't have many ambitions before I joined politics. Now I do.. they are to help people and I will try my best. There is still so much that I could do, and I will try to do them...'

That answer was followed by a smile that rose to my face, and sooner the interview was cut short and he got up to leave. And so did we, leaving the politician to do his usual work, and I believe we have faintly put a personality to the pictures we see within a very short time limit.