“READY TO ACCEPT ANY GOOD ROLE IN STAGE PLAY EVEN TODAY” -HIRUNIKA

Hirunika, a novice in the political field, shot to fame with her commitment to avenge the killers of her father. She emerged as a young rebel in her quest for justice. In a recent interview we had with her she discussed the ups and downs in her life and t

Q Let us first discuss your school days...

I had my education from grade 1 to 13 at the Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo where I was the band leader and also an announcer of the school’s media unit, Vice president of the literary unit, and in addition was a member of the school dance society and the musical group, and also held the post of deputy head prefect of the school.

Q What was your stream in higher studies?

It did arts subjects. In addition, I did political science, economics and logic. I obtained 2 As and 1B. These results were insufficient to enter the Law college as I have been expecting. I was selected to the Art Faculty at the Colombo University. Since I was not keen to follow Arts subjects, I opted to go to the UK and study Law. On my return, preparations are underway to sit for qualifying exams in Sri Lanka to practise as an Attorney-at-law .

Q Were your childhood dreams of becoming a lawyer ever realized?

No, I wanted to become an author first and then preferred to be a lecturer. I had some desire towards politics too, but never expected that to happen so soon. However, I wanted to become a lawyer after studying law.

Q Could you share about your school days and any mischievous acts ....

I cannot recall any particular incident, but I was one among the naughty. Many knew me by my name but no one seemed to know that I was a politician’s daughter. I did what any child of my age would have preferred to do.

Q What about teasing boys joining your school mates?

I was like a boy at all times and had a lot of friends in many boys’ schools. Most of the times I spent exchanging messages of our schoolgirls with boys of other schools. Some of these affairs ended in marriage. At the Daham Pasala I attended, I helped a boy to carry on with an affair with a girl. Later they married and they now have children.

Q What about modelling? Did your family approve it?

No, I was not involved in that field. On completion of my degree, I returned to the island for a short holiday. That was just prior to commencing my studies at the law college after registration. My mother always said that I was pretty so on my behalf she and my brother had made an application for the Miss Sri Lanka contest in response to an advertisement in a local newspaper. I was among the ten finalists. When the letter came, my father objected to it. After much pleading he agreed and I took part. At that event there were several photographers who took pictures of Miss Photogenic, Best Costume etc. These pictures had been downloaded in the social media and as a result stories spread around that I was a model.

Q What happened in the Miss Sri Lanka pageant?

I was among the five finalists. When I was preparing to proceed to Japan for the Miss International contest, my father was gunned down, so couldn’t make it.

Q Didn’t you have any desire to enter the field of Arts?

When my father was alive, I received several invitations as I had excelled in acting and received awards and certificates. In the years 2002, 2003, I was chosen as the best exponent in acting at all-island level. My drama teacher was Nissanka Diddeniya. He had observed my capabilities in acting and recommended me for acting roles. Even today, I yearn to act in stage dramas instead of Tele Dramas and Films. The reason is that it is difficult to act in stage plays. You can’t afford any mistakes during a live performance. Even today, If I am invited to play a part in a good stage play, I would accept it gleefully.

Q Did you take part in stage dramas during your school days?

During school days I was a member of the school drama society. In a school competition, we did the role of Padmawathie to the song of Dakkoth Padmawathie. I was about 15 years of age at that time.

There were dramas presented by boys schools also, but our school received the award for the best actress for my performance for playing a male character. That was a record win for the school due to my effort. I can act the role of a male perfectly.

Q What made Hirunika enter politics?

During my early days when I wanted to enter politics, my father always used to say that I could enter politics when I grew up. I was rather forced to enter politics accidentally and unexpectedly.

Q To what extent did the political exposure you had help you in your political career?

I did political science as a main subject for my A/levels. In addition, I read much about political science. I continue to read books on this subject. But you can’t learn politics simply through books. No politician can do it. If that was so, everyone who studies political science can easily become politicians. We, as students and children witnessed the political world and lived in its environment. These helped me to gain sufficient knowledge about politics and took an interest towards it.

Q What is your idea about Night Clubs?

I know nothing of them as I have never visited or seen them. Not even a single photo had appeared proving my presence in any of such places. During my stay in the UK, there was a place known as Imperial Hall where Sri Lankan students meet. I had gone there clad in a saree, someone had taken a photo and published it online saying “Look! Hirunika at a Night Club” This was something malicious. I do not think anyone visits a night club wearing a saree. This photo had been taken when I was in the UK. I don’t care about these stories, which are purely created for the entertainment of the publishers themselves.

Q Is it true that your Facebook profile is updated hourly describing your work?

I did it for some time as I wanted the people to know what I have been doing as a politician. This was something strange for Sri Lankans. This is called a vlog where you create a Youtube channel to post your work. I created a vlog but as the quality of the images were not so good, I bought a new camera. Therefore my Vlog was temporarily halted, but I am expecting to resume it soon.

Q What has Hirunika done for those who supported her?

The thousands of people who voted for us did not come to us seeking jobs. Only a limited number of persons did call over. They voted for us having seen us over the TV and having accepted our policies. Another reason as to why people like me is because of the killing of my father. People understood the fight I waged in order to seek justice. It had been successful up to now. My next endeavour is to obtain justice for all those who have been ill treated. There are many who had faced the wrath of killings. I am doing all that is possible in providing employment and also resolving issues they are faced with. There is the ‘Hirunika Premachandra Foundation’ through which I assist most of the needy.

Q Is it true that you have a tattoo on your body?

There was a story that was circulating that I am carrying a Tattoo on the back of my body with the picture of the Buddha. I have shown clearly in social media the truth behind this distortion. This is a Tattoo that had been doctored using paints and pasting them on my pictures. These Tattoos had been downloaded and applied on the back of my body. Anybody can see the fraud committed by looking at the pictures taken at my wedding, where it is clear that there was no such Tattoo on the back of my body.

Q What are your religious beliefs?

I have been attending Daham Pasala from my childhood at Vajiraramaya. I was a pupil of Soma Thera. I think differently from the other Buddhists. We are engaged in discussing about religion and nation in a radical manner. We have the best example of Theravada Buddhism. We should not allow what happened in Indonesia to happen in our country. Without shouting slogans, holding placards they must try to assist the poor temples located in the interior areas, where the novice monks have to undergo severe difficulties without even stationery to note down what they learn and do not receive any food as Dana. My firm commitment is to do something for these samaneras and our foundation participates in all programmes of rendering assistance to them.

Q There was a story recently that women have been subjected to sexual abuse in Parliament. Had you too been targetted?

There had been no such advances made by anyone, and all are our contemporaries. Young parliamentarians like Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa of the JVP and Kavinda Jayawardene of the UNP are my good friends.

Qwho is your mentor in politics?

My father of course. In the field of Cinema, it is my husband and myself. We are ardent fans of Vijaya Kumarathunga and the present day actor Jagath Chamila.

I wanted to become an author first and then preferred to be a lecturer Most of the time I spent exchanging messages of our schoolgirls with boys of other schools I know nothing about night clubs as I have never visited or seen them