The Match Begins
(Lanka-e-News -04.Jan.2025, 11.30 PM) Wimal Weerawansa, Sri Lanka’s perennial political showman, once again found himself in the spotlight as he arrived at the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) last morning. Known for his theatrical flair, Wimal wasn’t here to defend himself against the usual allegations of corruption or financial misconduct. No, this time, he had a different pitch to play on—one involving explosive statements about none other than Basil Rajapaksa.
After providing his statement, Wimal strode out of the FCID office, his chest puffed like a peacock on parade. With reporters hanging on his every word, he declared, “The match has just started, and I’ve already scored a sixer!” His “sixer,” it turned out, was a statement accusing Basil Rajapaksa and his family of amassing a massive fortune, allegedly through money laundering, and owning an enviable portfolio of properties in the USA.
Wimal’s rhetorical cricket match didn’t stop there. “How can someone who never had a proper job in the US own so many properties?” he asked, conveniently sidestepping his own well-documented financial woes.
For those unfamiliar with Wimal’s fondness for cricket analogies, it’s worth noting his less-than-stellar record on the field. During his school days at Kalutara Tissa College, Wimal’s cricketing ambitions were famously cut short when he was bowled clean by his teammate Nislan, a young Muslim player whose delivery exposed Wimal’s inability to handle pace or spin.
“Wimal was always better at swinging his words than a bat,” reminisced one former teammate. “He spent more time arguing with the umpire than scoring runs.”
Fast-forward to today, and not much has changed. Wimal remains a master at spinning narratives, even if he struggles with anything resembling evidence or accountability.
But life isn’t all about metaphors and political point-scoring for Wimal. His name is also tied to more somber events, such as the mysterious death of Lahiru Janith, a 24-year-old friend of Wimal’s son, Wibhuthi Wishwajith Weerawansa.
On October 26, 2016, Janith was found dead at Wimal’s Hokandara residence after spending the night there. According to police reports, Janith had failed to wake up the next morning and was rushed to Colombo National Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:30 AM.
The circumstances surrounding Janith’s death remain unclear, fueling speculation and whispers of foul play. Though Wimal himself has remained tight-lipped about the incident, critics have been less restrained, accusing him of being at the center of yet another controversy that refuses to die down.
Adding to Wimal’s already colorful résumé of controversies is his ongoing legal battle with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). The charge? Accumulating wealth and properties totaling Rs 75 million—an amount that far exceeds his declared income during his tenure as a parliamentarian from 2010 to 2014.
Wimal, of course, has denied any wrongdoing, attributing his fortune to “hard work, smart investments, and divine blessings.” Yet his critics remain skeptical. “If hard work could earn Rs 75 million that quickly, we’d all be billionaires,” one satirist quipped.
The Colombo High Court, in its infinite wisdom, has deferred the case, leaving Wimal free to continue his political innings, much to the dismay of his detractors.
Wimal’s latest move—calling for an investigation into Basil Rajapaksa’s wealth—has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. On one hand, it’s a bold gambit that positions him as a whistleblower willing to take on the Rajapaksa dynasty. On the other hand, it’s classic Wimal: deflect attention from his own scandals by pointing fingers at others.
“Wimal is like a bowler who appeals for LBW even when the ball is clearly going down leg,” a political analyst observed. “He knows he won’t get the wicket, but he’ll still shout loud enough to distract the batsman.”
Basil Rajapaksa, for his part, has yet to respond publicly to Wimal’s accusations. But insiders suggest he’s unfazed, likening Wimal’s outburst to “a bouncer that doesn’t even reach the batsman.”
For all his controversies, Wimal has managed to maintain a loyal following, thanks in large part to his knack for theatrics. Whether he’s staging hunger strikes (that end with a carton of milk) or delivering fiery speeches about international conspiracies, Wimal knows how to keep himself in the headlines.
“Wimal is a master at turning every controversy into a spectacle,” said one political commentator. “He doesn’t just play the game—he redefines it, complete with new rules and plenty of drama.”
As the legal battles, political feuds, and cricketing metaphors continue, one thing is certain: Wimal Weerawansa isn’t going anywhere. Whether he’s bowling accusations at Basil Rajapaksa or defending himself against allegations of bribery, he remains a constant presence in Sri Lanka’s political arena.
“The match has just started,” Wimal declared today. And with him at the crease, it’s bound to be an entertaining, unpredictable, and occasionally absurd game.
So grab your popcorn, folks. Because when Wimal’s in play, the innings never end, and the drama never disappoints.
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by (2025-01-04 21:26:53)
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