Edwin Ariyadasa: A naive victim or a willing accomplice in ‘Sakwithi Ranasinghe’ scam?

I am sad to pen this post.

Edwin Ariyadasa, as an intellect and a writer once made a profound impact on my life. Our generation, unlike the youngsters today, had no Internet or even TV. It was all books, radio and newspapers. Ariyadasa’s realm was the last two.

He was an excellent presenter. Precise and concise in facts, he knew exactly what the readers looked for.

What made Ariyadasa unforgettable were the contributions to ‘Navayugaya’ and ‘Silumina’. I still remember him explaining in mid 1970s how future generations would start their days by reading newspapers electronically delivered to homes. Then it was unthinkable – I wouldn’t have then believed it to happen even in the west – let alone here. Strangely that is what we do today. May not be at home, but most of us read online versions of news early morning. Suffice to describe the visionary he once was.

Unlike most writers of the time he never tried pushing a political ideology. A true unbiased ‘walking encyclopedia’ – no more, no less. I cannot be the only one who then saw the future in his eyes.

So how would the news of his ‘partner’ (or employer – as Ariyadasa emphasizes, saying he was paid Rs. 100,000 per month for the services) running away with billions of hard earned rupees sound to his once fans like myself?

Personally, I am disappointed. Not because I think Ariyadasa was a part of anything that happened, but no denial that he endorsed a dubious character. An irresponsible act – to say the least. What does Ariyadasa now say about his name appearing in full page advertisements in Lankadeepa inviting depositors? Can he claim unawareness? What about the claims by depositors that Ariyadasa encouraged them to deposit? Does he deny that?

Those who sleep with dogs will get up with lice. (Ballan samaga nidagath vita mekkan samaga negiteemata siduve) A wonderful saying attributed to a famous Sinhala journalist. Sad that Edwin Ariyadasa had to learn it the hard way.

Ariyadasa is not alone. This episode also brings the story of a certain Computer professor into our minds. No need for a name as he is no more. Just like Ariyadasa he too had a credibility built up for a lifetime which he risked for seemingly minor benefits.

After his retirement from the University this Computer Professor had a comfortable life ahead him with no worries. He had no financial issues because both his sons were then employed by two international IT firms. Still his sheer unwillingness to give up power once yielded made him accepting a chair at a government organization for a compensation of Rs. 100,000 per month – exactly the same thirty pieces of silver Ariyadasa received.

This power, of course came with a price tag. His political masters wanted him to manipulate a tender of USD 15 million so that a firm represented by a close relative of a VVIP wins it. This was no easy task, as the other party offer was both technically and financially superior. The offer of VVIP’s close relative was USD 1 million more and not represented by a local partner – a mandatory condition in tender. Still this stupid old man did the honurs and awarded the tender to the wrong party – whose offer should have not even been short listed in the first place.

What got him was the media. Revelations by ‘Sunday Leader’ and ‘Ravaya’ perhaps added to his guilty consciousness. That guilty feeling finally took his life. A stupid man, who could have lived for another ten years easily, lost his life being a pawn of a much bigger political game.

Thanhaya jaayati soko – greed generates sorrow. This is something both Ariyadasa and the said Computer Professor should have known. Latter is now dead, buried and conveniently forgotten even by his closest disciples – but we hope Ariyadasa is still not too late.