YAKADAYA: from Iron Man to Serene Man

Christie Fernando - Chilaw special correspondent

I was there when hundreds of people thronged and stormed the Chilaw Magistrate's Court to catch a glimpse of Yakadaya (the 'Iron Man') who was brought on a stretcher and produced before magistrate L.W.L. Waidiyaratne in connection with three plaints filed against him by the Chilaw Police on March 15, 1978.

Yakadaya made a statement in open court complaining that the Koswatta Police had falsely implicated him in all the cases and that he had been brutally assaulted. However, he praised the Chilaw Police for treating him well.

The magistrate requested Yakadaya to make such complaints to the Marawila magistrate as different cases had been filed for different offences at Marawila courts by the Koswatte Police. Yakadaya was undefended while sub-inspector W. Wijesuriya appeared for the prosecution.

I was also present in court in December 1981 when Yakadaya who was in remand custody and charged in a number of cases with theft, house-breaking and attempted murder and was produced before Chilaw District Judge M.H.B.Moraes who acquitted and discharged him.

In his heyday, Yakadaya was a strong and robust man.

It was revealed that Sanchi Aratchige Jinandasa alias Yakadaya, spent the evening of his life at different bus-halts. People were frightened of him because of his past high-handed deeds of daring. He lamented about his wife who was killed brutally.

He was used to gambling. He was accustomed to lead a life of solitude, because he was a changed man afterwards. He led a serene and solitary life.

He always carried his pillow, plate and cup wherever he went. He refused to admit about his wayward life and his adventurous and undaunted escapades like another Robin Hood because in his active life he had allegedly committed thefts, attempted murders, house-breaking, etc. He shrugged off and did not reply when asked about his private life.

His ultimate wish to see President Mahinda Rajapaksa was granted.

What he wished was peace in the country devoid of divisions of caste, creed, race or ethnic groups or colour.