Features
Makandure Madush kills Ranale Samayan
by Hemantha Randunu
(Translated by Uditha Devapriya)
Nawala Nihal was once known as the Godfather of the Underworld. After the disappearance of Nawala Nihal, Makandure Madush claimed that title.
Two days before Makandure Madush’s assassination, he confessed to the crimes he had committed for over 20 years. The six-hour confession made to a high-ranking official revealed many of the secrets behind many of Madush’s crimes.
Madush’s confession revealed all the details of the attack on the prison bus at Ethanamadala in Kalutara and the murder of seven including Ranale Samayan.
The article is based on excerpts from Madush’s confession.
By 2017, Ranale Samayan’s gang had become a big threat to us. Angoda Lokka always complained that he would be killed off at some point by Samayan.
At the time Angoda Lokka had tried twice or thrice to kill Samayan. But none of those plans proved to be successful. I also wanted to murder Samayan.
Makandure Madush began to reflect on those past events one by one in front of a senior police officer. By 2017, the underworld clashes between the underworld gang led by Ranale Samayan and the group led by Angoda Lokka were escalating. Although Ranale Samayan was being held at the Kalutara Prison then, he managed his underworld gang very subtly with the help of some of the corrupt officials at the Kalutara prison. In return, corrupt officials received large sums of money and gifts. The Kalutara prison was a safe haven for Samayan.
After a moment of silence, Madhush raised his voice again.
Angoda Lokka sent a man inside the Nugegoda court to shoot Samayan. But the work went awry. Samayan was shot but he did not die.
Before Samayan was transferred to Kalutara Prison he was in Welikada. His wife brought him everything he wanted when he was inside. Samayan would definitely be hurt if his wife’s visits stopped abruptly and if she was killed. So I told Angoda Lokka to murder Samayan’s wife.
Angoda Lokka handed over the job to two boys and sent them off to Welikada Prison. But all our plans went astray. The two boys mistakenly shot another woman.
Samayan received information that we were trying to kill his wife. So he wanted to get his own back by planning to kill off my wife who was caring for our disabled child in Makandura. After this incident, I developed a great hatred for Samayan. I made a decision to kill Samayan.
Samayan murdered Harsha, his right hand man.
Harsha Yasas is one of the oldest members of Makandure Madush’s underworld gang. Harsha was the mastermind behind the assassination of Danny Hiththetiyage, the Chairman of the Southern Development Authority, at Madush’s request. Harsha was murdered while at a house in Obeysekerepura in Rajagiriya. Harsha was spending the night at his mistress’s house when two of Samayan’s gang members broke in and shot him dead.
We found out he was tightly protected the day he was brought to court. It was difficult for us to do anything inside court. So I planned to attack him while he was being transported on the prison bus from Kalutara. On the other hand, I wanted to do something that would shake the country, creating a huge demand for our team.
The senior police officer was listening very carefully to Madush’s story. It was clear to the police officer that these confessions of Madush were not lies. He asked Madush about several issues that had arisen at that time.
Who made the plan to attack the Prison bus while Samayan was being transported to court?
Madush replied, looking straight at the senior official’s face.
I planned it sir. Ten or fifteen years ago I was in Kalutara Prison for a while. I was taken to court by the Prison bus. There are large coconut estates on either side of the road leading from Kalutara Prison to the Main road.
About 250 meters from the Kalutara prison, there are large coconut plantations on both sides of the road. No two vehicles can cross at the same time. There were two hills on either side. That location I kept on my mind. I decided that this was the best place from which to attack the bus. In the past, when I was being taken to court from Kalutara Prison, small lorries loaded with coconuts were stopped on this road. They were collecting coconuts from the groves nearby. These lorries were often there. This was also on my mind.
The senior police officer could not even imagine how Madush had planned to assassinate Ranale Samayan. Madush had planned to block the bus by leaving a vehicle loaded with coconuts on this road. The officer was surprised by the crafty intelligence in Madush’s plan.
I planned to attack Samayan and called Angoda Lokka from Dubai. I explained to him the plan to attack the Prison bus.
“Go to Kalutara Prison today. Take a good look at the road leading to the main road from Prison. There are two small hills with shrubs on either side of the road. We need to attack the Prison bus by hiding between these two hills. You have to put a lorry and block the road. If this plan is executed correctly, no one can stop us from killing Samayan.”
Angoda Lokka inspected the location, the narrow road and picked the most suitable place to carry out the attack as instructed by Madush. The plan to attack the prison bus and kill Samayan required a large number of weapons. Although it was problem for Angoda Lokka, finding many weapons at once for the attack was a simple problem for Madush.
“Don’t worry, I’ll find the weapons. On the day Samayan is taken to court, a police guard will also arrive. So there’s a big team here. We have to be ready for anything. Otherwise we will be captured. We must have at least ten T-56 weapons. I’ll sort it out,” said Madush, reassuring Angoda Lokka.
The senior police officer had a problem with how the T-56 firearms were obtained for the attack. Where did those weapons come from?, he asked curiously.
I have friends in the security forces. I borrowed six T-56 weapons from a certain Special Security Division, on the promise of returning the weapons after they have served their purpose.
The police officer was stunned by what Madush said. However, it was clear that the information revealed was not untrue taking into recent developments about corrupt officials. The fact that none of the T-56 assault rifles that attacked the prison bus in Kalutara had been found so far had further inflamed the suspicions of the policeman.
Angoda Lokka got the vehicles for attacking the prison bus ready and I set up some people who were needed for this work. Angoda Lokka and his student of sorts, Ladiya, were ready to lead this attack.
Makandure Madhush had a very good intelligence network. Using his spies, Madusha was able to find out much about what was going on at the Kalutara prison.
A few of the people who work at the prison are good friends of mine. I’m informed about everything. I knew in advance that the bus carrying Samayan to court would not receive a police guard. It made our work easier. The weapons of the jailors were old. We do not have to work hard to get used to them. We did not have to worry about the prison guard.
“Five members of the underworld gang, including Samayan, were due to be produced in court on February 27, 2017. We will complete our plan on the 27th,” I told Angoda Lokka, giving the necessary instructions. “Madush, we will be arrested by the police at some point after this attack. So take us to Dubai after the attack,” Angoda Lokka told me.
I thought if Angoda Lokka came to Dubai, it would create a problem for me. So, I planned to send him off to India. I had a partner engaged in the drug trade in India named Suresh. I entrusted the task of taking care of Angoda Lokka and Ladiya to Suresh. The task of transporting these two to India by boat was handed over to Modara Pukudikanna.
By February 26, 2017, everything needed for the attack was ready. Angoda Lokka arranged a cab and a van to go to the location. At that time Angoda Lokka had seized six T-56 firearms which were allegedly obtained from a high-ranking officer in the security forces. Three of those who joined the attack had received police uniforms. Angoda Lokka also received a police inspector’s uniform.
I talked on the phone with every person assigned for the attack. They were encouraged by my words. Some of the boys were a little scared. I talked to them and motivated them. The underworld thugs including Angoda Lokka and Ladiya were stationed in the area where the attack was planned at around 7.30 am on the 27th.
There were 11 guards for security. They had seven weapons. The two buses were scheduled to leave at 8.00 am. There are five people in the prison bus on the front. I was informed that there were six people on the second bus. I immediately passed all that information to the Angoda Lokka.
A double cab was stopped in the middle of the road blocking it. Five boys were stationed between two hills with bushes on either side of the road. They were prepared to shoot from the sides of the bus. Three men in police uniforms and two other boys were on the road. They were instructed to attack the front of the prison bus.
When the two prison buses left the prison and came along the narrow road, Angoda Lokka and a few boys were blocking the road. The guards must have thought the police were blocking the road. As the two buses approached, our boys were shooting from the front. Within seconds, the boys, who were hiding in the hills on either side of the road, began firing too.
The guards couldn’t do anything. In five or six minutes we were done. Samayan, who had been shot inside the bus, was dragged to the door of the bus. Angoda Lokka put him down and fired a few more shots. One of the shooters showed me all this in a WhatsApp video call. We had no intention of killing any of the prison guard. But it was necessary for the plan to succeed.
Sir, we returned the T-56 weapons after the attack. That’s where our deal ended. That same night Angoda Lokka and Ladiya were taken to India. I was so happy with how the plan turned out, and it relieved me.
Makandure Madush ended his six hour confession in front of a senior police officer. Exactly two days after making this confession, Madush was shot by an unknown gunman.
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There’s an ill more dangerous and pervasive than the Coronavirus that’s currently sweeping Sri Lanka. That is the fear to express one’s convictions. Across the public sector of the country in particular many persons holding high office are stringently regulating and controlling the voices of their consciences and this bodes ill for all and the country.
The corrupting impact of fear was discussed in this column a couple of weeks ago when dealing with the military coup in Myanmar. It stands to the enduring credit of ousted Myanmarese Head of Government Aung San Suu Kyi that she, perhaps for the first time in the history of modern political thought, singled out fear, and not power, as the principal cause of corruption within the individual; powerful or otherwise.
To be sure, power corrupts but the corrupting impact of fear is graver and more devastating. For instance, the fear in a person holding ministerial office or in a senior public sector official, that he would lose position and power as a result of speaking out his convictions and sincere beliefs on matters of the first importance, would lead to a country’s ills going unaddressed and uncorrected.
Besides, the individual concerned would be devaluing himself in the eyes of all irrevocably and revealing himself to be a person who would be willing to compromise his moral integrity for petty worldly gain or a ‘mess of pottage’. This happens all the while in Lankan public life. Some of those who have wielded and are wielding immense power in Sri Lanka leave very much to be desired from these standards.
It could be said that fear has prevented Sri Lanka from growing in every vital respect over the decades and has earned for itself the notoriety of being a directionless country.
All these ills and more are contained in the current controversy in Sri Lanka over the disposal of the bodies of Covid victims, for example. The Sri Lankan polity has no choice but to abide by scientific advice on this question. Since authorities of the standing of even the WHO have declared that the burial of the bodies of those dying of Covid could not prove to be injurious to the wider public, the Sri Lankan health authorities could go ahead and sanction the burying of the bodies concerned. What’s preventing the local authorities from taking this course since they claim to be on the side of science? Who or what are they fearing? This is the issue that’s crying out to be probed and answered.
Considering the need for absolute truthfulness and honesty on the part of all relevant persons and quarters in matters such as these, the latter have no choice but to resign from their positions if they are prevented from following the dictates of their consciences. If they are firmly convinced that burials could bring no harm, they are obliged to take up the position that burials should be allowed.
If any ‘higher authority’ is preventing them from allowing burials, our ministers and officials are conscience-bound to renounce their positions in protest, rather than behave compromisingly and engage in ‘double think’ and ‘double talk’. By adopting the latter course they are helping none but keeping the country in a state of chronic uncertainty, which is a handy recipe for social instabiliy and division.
In the Sri Lankan context, the failure on the part of the quarters that matter to follow scientific advice on the burials question could result in the aggravation of Islamophobia, or hatred of the practitioners of Islam, in the country. Sri Lanka could do without this latter phobia and hatred on account of its implications for national stability and development. The 30 year war against separatist forces was all about the prevention by military means of ‘nation-breaking’. The disastrous results for Sri Lanka from this war are continuing to weigh it down and are part of the international offensive against Sri Lanka in the UNHCR.
However, Islamophobia is an almost world wide phenomenon. It was greatly strengthened during Donald Trump’s presidential tenure in the US. While in office Trump resorted to the divisive ruling strategy of quite a few populist authoritarian rulers of the South. Essentially, the manoeuvre is to divide and rule by pandering to the racial prejudices of majority communities.
It has happened continually in Sri Lanka. In the initial post-independence years and for several decades after, it was a case of some populist politicians of the South whipping-up anti-Tamil sentiments. Some Tamil politicians did likewise in respect of the majority community. No doubt, both such quarters have done Sri Lanka immeasurable harm. By failing to follow scientific advice on the burial question and by not doing what is right, Sri Lanka’s current authorities are opening themselves to the charge that they are pandering to religious extremists among the majority community.
The murderous, destructive course of action adopted by some extremist sections among Muslim communities world wide, including of course Sri Lanka, has not earned the condemnation it deserves from moderate Muslims who make-up the preponderant majority in the Muslim community. It is up to moderate opinion in the latter collectivity to come out more strongly and persuasively against religious extremists in their midst. It will prove to have a cementing and unifying impact among communities.
It is not sufficiently appreciated by governments in the global South in particular that by voicing for religious and racial unity and by working consistently towards it, they would be strengthening democratic development, which is an essential condition for a country’s growth in all senses.
A ‘divided house’ is doomed to fall; this is the lesson of history. ‘National security’ cannot be had without human security and peaceful living among communities is central to the latter. There cannot be any ‘double talk’ or ‘politically correct’ opinions on this question. Truth and falsehood are the only valid categories of thought and speech.
Those in authority everywhere claiming to be democratic need to adopt a scientific outlook on this issue as well. Studies conducted on plural societies in South Asia, for example, reveal that the promotion of friendly, cordial ties among communities invariably brings about healing among estranged groups and produces social peace. This is the truth that is waiting to be acted upon.
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By Sanjeewa Jayaweera
It was on 3rd January 1972 that our family arrived in Karachi from Moscow. Our departure from Moscow had been delayed for a few weeks due to the military confrontation between Pakistan and India. It ended on 16th December 1971. After that, international flights were not permitted for some time.
The contrast between Moscow and Karachi was unbelievable. First and foremost, Moscow’s temperature was near minus 40 degrees centigrade, while in Karachi, it was sunny and a warm 28 degrees centigrade. However, what struck us most was the extreme warmth with which the airport authorities greeted our family. As my father was a diplomat, we were quickly ushered to the airport’s VIP Lounge. We were in transit on our way to Rawalpindi, the airport serving the capital of Islamabad.
We quickly realized that the word “we are from Sri Lanka” opened all doors just as saying “open sesame” gained entry to Aladdin’s cave! The broad smile, extreme courtesy, and genuine warmth we received from the Pakistani people were unbelievable.
This was all to do with Mrs Sirima Bandaranaike’s decision to allow Pakistani aircraft to land in Colombo to refuel on the way to Dhaka in East Pakistan during the military confrontation between Pakistan and India. It was a brave decision by Mrs Bandaranaike (Mrs B), and the successive governments and Sri Lanka people are still enjoying the fruits of it. Pakistan has been a steadfast and loyal supporter of our country. They have come to our assistance time and again in times of great need when many have turned their back on us. They have indeed been an “all-weather” friend of our country.
Getting back to 1972, I was an early beneficiary of Pakistani people’s love for Sri Lankans. I failed the entrance exam to gain entry to the only English medium school in Islamabad! However, when I met the Principal, along with my father, he said, “Sanjeewa, although you failed the entrance exam, I will this time make an exception as Sri Lankans are our dear friends.” After that, the joke around the family dinner table was that I owed my education in Pakistan to Mrs B!
At school, my brother and I were extended a warm welcome and always greeted “our good friends from Sri Lanka.” I felt when playing cricket for our college; our runs were cheered more loudly than of others.
One particular incident that I remember well was when the Embassy received a telex from the Foreign inistry. It requested that our High Commissioner seek an immediate meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Zulifikar Ali Bhutto (ZB), and convey a message from Mrs B. The message requested that an urgent shipment of rice be dispatched to Sri Lanka as there would be an imminent rice shortage. As the Ambassador was not in the station, the responsibility devolved on my father.
It usually takes about a week or more to get an audience with the Prime Minister (PM) of a foreign country due to their busy schedule. However, given the urgency, my father spoke to the Foreign Ministry’s Permanent Sectary, who fortunately was our neighbour and sought an urgent appointment. My father received a call from the PM’s secretary around 10 P.M asking him to come over to the PM’s residence. My father met ZB around midnight. ZB was about to retire to bed and, as such, was in his pyjamas and gown enjoying a cigar! He had greeted my father and had asked, “Mr Jayaweera, what can we do for great friend Madam Bandaranaike?. My father conveyed the message from Colombo and quietly mentioned that there would be riots in the country if there is no rice!
ZB had immediately got the Food Commissioner of Pakistan on the line and said, “I want a shipload of rice to be in Colombo within the next 72 hours!” The Food Commissioner reverted within a few minutes, saying that nothing was available and the last export shipment had left the port only a few hours ago to another country. ZB had instructed to turn the ship around and send it to Colombo. This despite protests from the Food Commissioner about terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit prohibiting non-delivery. Sri Lanka got its delivery of rice!
The next was the visit of Mrs B to Pakistan. On arrival in Rawalpindi airport, she was given a hero’s welcome, which Pakistan had previously only offered to President Gaddafi of Libya, who financially backed Pakistan with his oil money. That day, I missed school and accompanied my parents to the airport. On our way, we witnessed thousands of people had gathered by the roadside to welcome Mrs B.
When we walked to the airport’s tarmac, thousands of people were standing in temporary stands waving Sri Lanka and Pakistan flags and chanting “Sri Lanka Pakistan Zindabad.” The noise emanating from the crowd was as loud and passionate as the cheering that the Pakistani cricket team received during a test match. It was electric!
I believe she was only the second head of state given the privilege of addressing both assemblies of Parliament. The other being Gaddafi. There was genuine affection from Mrs B amongst the people of Pakistan.
I always remember the indefatigable efforts of Mr Abdul Haffez Kardar, a cabinet minister and the President of the Pakistan Cricket Board. From around 1973 onwards, he passionately championed Sri Lanka’s cause to be admitted as a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and granted test status. Every year, he would propose at the ICC’s annual meeting, but England and Australia’s veto kept us out until 1981.
I always felt that our Cricket Board made a mistake by not inviting Pakistan to play our inaugural test match. We should have appreciated Mr Kardar and Pakistan’s efforts. In 1974 the Pakistan board invited our team for a tour involving three test matches and a few first-class games. Most of those who played in our first test match was part of that tour, and no doubt gained significant exposure playing against a highly talented Pakistani team.
Several Pakistani greats were part of the Pakistan and India team that played a match soon after the Central Bank bomb in Colombo to prove that it was safe to play cricket in Colombo. It was a magnificent gesture by both Pakistan and India. Our greatest cricket triumph was in Pakistan when we won the World Cup in 1996. I am sure the players and those who watched the match on TV will remember the passionate support our team received that night from the Pakistani crowd. It was like playing at home!
I also recall reading about how the Pakistani government air freighted several Multi Barrell artillery guns and ammunition to Sri Lanka when the A rmy camp in Jaffna was under severe threat from the LTTE. This was even more important than the shipload of rice that ZB sent. This was crucial as most other countries refused to sell arms to our country during the war.
Time and again, Pakistan has steadfastly supported our country’s cause at the UNHCR. No doubt this year, too, their diplomats will work tirelessly to assist our country.
We extend a warm welcome to Mr Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan. He is a truly inspirational individual who was undoubtedly an excellent cricketer. Since retirement from cricket, he has decided to get involved in politics, and after several years of patiently building up his support base, he won the last parliamentary elections. I hope that just as much as he galvanized Sri Lankan cricketers, his political journey would act as a catalyst for people like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene to get involved in politics. Cricket has been called a “gentleman’s game.” Whilst politics is far from it!.
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Believe me, seeing certain videos, on social media, depicting action, on the dance floor, at some of these entertainment venues, got me wondering whether this Coronavirus pandemic is REAL!
To those having a good time, at these particular venues, and, I guess, the management, as well, what the world is experiencing now doesn’t seem to be their concerned.
Obviously, such irresponsible behaviour could create more problems for those who are battling to halt the spread of Covid-19, and the new viriant of Covid, in our part of the world.
The videos, on display, on social media, show certain venues, packed to capacity – with hardly anyone wearing a mask, and social distancing…only a dream..
How can one think of social distancing while gyrating, on a dance floor, that is over crowded!
If this trend continues, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Coronavirus makes its presence felt…at such venues.
And, then, what happens to the entertainment scene, and those involved in this field, especially the musicians? No work, whatsoever!
Lots of countries have closed nightclubs, and venues, where people gather, in order to curtail the spread of this deadly virus that has already claimed the lives of thousands.
Thailand did it and the country is still having lots of restrictions, where entertainment is concerned, and that is probably the reason why Thailand has been able to control the spread of the Coronavirus.
With a population of over 69 million, they have had (so far), a little over 25,000 cases, and 83 deaths, while we, with a population of around 21 million, have over 80,000 cases, and more than 450 deaths.
I’m not saying we should do away with entertainment – totally – but we need to follow a format, connected with the ‘new normal,’ where masks and social distancing are mandatory requirements at these venues. And, dancing, I believe, should be banned, at least temporarily, as one can’t maintain the required social distance, while on the dance floor, especially after drinks.
Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana keeps emphasising, on TV, radio, and in the newspapers, the need to adhere to the health regulations, now in force, and that those who fail to do so would be penalised.
He has also stated that plainclothes officers would move around to apprehend such offenders.
Perhaps, he should instruct his officers to pay surprise visits to some of these entertainment venues.
He would certainly have more than a bus load of offenders to be whisked off for PCR/Rapid Antigen tests!
I need to quote what Dr. H.T. Wickremasinghe said in his article, published in The Island of Tuesday, February 16th, 2021:
“…let me conclude, while emphasising the need to continue our general public health measures, such as wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding crowded gatherings, to reduce the risk of contact with an infected person.
“There is no science to beat common sense.”
But…do some of our folks have this thing called COMMON SENSE!
