July 28, 2010: Don Algama Rupathunga don Rienzie Algama, the 60-year-old who set himself ablaze opposite UNP headquarters, Sirikotha, was a full-time activist of the United National Party for more than 29 years, say his relatives.
Several eyewitnesses had seen the manner in which the UNPer from Weligama, had come to the location around 5.10pm and poured a certain liquid over him, down a narrow lane.
Rienzie had set himself ablaze and was soon engulfed in flames when several onlookers rushed to douse the flames. They took the injured man to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital.
Rienzie was later transferred to the Colombo National Hospital due to the severity of his burn injuries.
Director of the emergency unit of the hospital, Dr. Prasad Ariyawansa said that the injured individual died at around midnight.
Rienzie was a father of three.
“He was very close to former President R. Premadasa. He was at Sirikotha for all events and everyone knows him. He received a call around 5.30 in the morning. Thereafter he acted strange. He told someone that he too would come to a certain place and talk about a matter and resolve it one and for all. I don’t know whom he spoke to. He got ready and left,” said Algama’s wife.
“It was my father’s family who was involved in work at the UNP headquarters, Sirikotha. He sounded very dejected yesterday; he said he had left politics. He did not explain anything though and he put his phone off thereafter. He didn’t pick it up. That was when this happened,” said Algama’s son.
Rienzie Algama’s remains were forwarded to the Colombo judicial medical officer for investigations yesterday.
Rienzie’s family members and several senior UNPers who heard about the tragedy arrived at the JMO’s office yesterday.
“Over the past few months, Rienzie spent his time and personal funds to meet all parliamentarians of the party from time to time in order to obtain their views regarding the party’s conflict. He wanted to resolve this conflict,” said a friend of Rienzie Algama.
After preliminary investigations, Rienzie Algama’s remains were handed over to relatives.
“An officer attached to the Mirihana police told me this was done as a lesson for UNP members. I believe this. It’s certain that he did it on his own free will. We have two daughters and the youngest is sitting for her O/Ls this year. He was very fond of her. I can’t imagine that he could do something like this,” said Rienzie Algama’s wife.
When our Newsfirst team visited his residence yesterday, loved ones and neighbours had already commenced preparing for the funeral.
Those gathered at the funeral have said that Rienzie Algama was an individual who was always committed to ensuing the well being of those in Ranamaduragama.
“Ranamaduragama developed because of him. It was based on his request that houses were built for the people in the area during the time of former President R. Premadasa and Madurapala. Therefore it is a great loss for the village to lose such a person who rendered such a public service,” said Rienzie Algama neighbour.
“Even on the day before yesterday, he left around 2.30am in order to be at Sirikotha by 7. We met with an accident and I told him not to proceed. But he went. He returned that evening and went again last morning. But he told me that things are not working out and he wished to leave politics. He used to always say that he would render his services. He said he will act on this,” said Rienzie Algama's neighbour.
Issuing a communiqué, the United National Party stated that Rienzie Algama’s funeral will take place at 3pm today, in Ranamaduragama.
Meanwhile, police stated that Algama had made a statement prior to his death.
The Mirihana police have commenced investigations, taking this statement into consideration as well.
Meanwhile views were expressed regarding Rienzie Algama, at the UNP media briefing held yesterday.
“I was able to visit the hospital and talk to him. He was conscious at that time. He had tears in his eyes and said that he made this sacrifice to set an example in order to create unity amongst party supporters and also to create peace. Even at that time he asked for attempts to be made to create unity. He said if this continued, the party will not have a future. He also said that if this was not the case, the party will have a lot of strength for the future,” said Karu Jayasuriya, UNP Deputy Leader.
