Hometown mourns ‘Chandi Mahattaya’, the good-hearted rebel
The final rites of the late former deputy minister Palitha Thewarapperuma were performed on Friday at a gravesite that he himself had prepared in Yatadolawaththa, Matugama.
He died at the age of 64 from electrocution while attempting to connect electrical wires.
Mr. Thewarapperuma was a popular member of the United National Party (UNP). He was deputy minister of internal affairs, Wayamba development and cultural affairs in the ‘Yahapalanaya’ government. He was also a former minister of state for wildlife and a deputy minister of social empowerment.
In 2002, Mr. Thewarapperuma was chairman of the Mathugama Pradeshiya Sabha. He has had several brushes with the law and spent some spells in remand custody—once for forcibly burying a body in a plot of land in violation of a court order; another time for unlawful assembly, when he staged a protest at a primary school demanding admission for students.
Despite his rebellious nature, he was liked by people of all races and religions for his social work. For instance, during the coronavirus pandemic and during natural disasters in the Kalutara District, he risked his personal safety to provide food and other necessities to the rural population.
As Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha chairman, he led the building of the crematorium and a pavilion at the Matugama public ground.
Ven. Baduraliya Pelenda Thera, a leading monk, said Mr. Thewarapperum was a great loss to the community. He recalled how he had intervened in a work stoppage at the Baduraliya Hospital, even carrying out a hunger strike till work resumed.
Even out of Parliament, he was praised by many for how he mediated to bring peace during the clashes that broke out in Beruwala and Aluthgama in 2014.
People in St. John’s estate lament the loss of their ‘Chandi Mahattaya’, and recall how he had spoken on behalf of their problems and how he had helped them during difficult times.
He had even provided coffins for many people in need.
His popularity was reflected in the crowd that gathered, including thousands of Muslims. However, the death of his eldest son in 2015 changed him. It had a severe impact on him, and he became drawn to religion further and became a more tranquil character.