A Wife’s Grief and a Nation’s Questions

Senani Jayaratne Aluthgamage, wife of former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence at Welikada Prison, has released a deeply personal letter expressing anguish over her husband’s incarceration. Her message offers a portrait of devotion and sorrow, while also raising concerns about judicial independence and media ethics in Sri Lanka.

Mahindananda Aluthgamage, once a prominent figure in Sri Lankan politics, is widely known for his longstanding reputation for corruption and unexplained accumulation of wealth during his time in public office—factors that have drawn intense public and legal scrutiny for over a decade.

“My Husband Has Been Taken Away for 20 Days Now…”

Senani opens her letter with a striking declaration of pain:

“It’s been 20 days since my husband was taken from me. I no longer have tears left to cry. I feel like there’s nothing more I can do for him.”

Using the term “aiyya,” a Sinhala endearment often used between spouses, she describes the personal loss not only as a wife, but as someone who stood by him through political storms, legal battles, and emotional turmoil.

A Romance That Defied Convention

The letter recounts how their relationship began when she was 30 and captivated by his kindness. However, both faced pressure from within their own political party and their respective social circles, particularly due to issues of caste.

At one point, overwhelmed by societal resistance, she left for the United States in an effort to end the relationship. But the emotional bond proved unbreakable. With the intervention of politician Dilan Perera, they reconciled.

Senani reveals that the mental strain of these experiences drove her to a suicide attempt. With the support of Professor Arjuna and emergency medical care, she recovered.

She describes herself as Mahindananda’s “fourth child,” noting he cared for her with the same love he showed his three children from a previous marriage.

Legal Entanglements and a Tarnished Reputation

According to her account, Mahindananda faced 14 court cases over 12 years, though was remanded only twice. She claims he was acquitted of all charges except the one involving the misappropriation of state funds through the purchase of carrom boards—where she insists he only made a verbal request for tax relief.

This case, however, resulted in a 20-year prison sentence—a ruling Senani decries as wildly disproportionate.

While many in the public view the verdict as long-overdue justice, given Aluthgamage’s history of unexplained wealth and high-living while in public office, Senani paints him as a victim of selective prosecution and media bias.

She expresses frustration at the way social media portrayed him:

“His image was publicly destroyed. His name dragged through the mud.”

A Justice Minister’s Words Spark Outrage

One section of the letter takes aim at a statement made by the Minister of Justice, who suggested the verdict might not have occurred if a different party were in power.

Senani responds with pointed questions:

“Is our judiciary corrupt? Did officers trade their ethics for promotions and transfers? Did they make political rulings?”

She questions whether Sri Lanka’s legal system remains truly independent or whether it bends under political weight.

Accepting the Judgment, Rejecting the Injustice

Despite her personal pain, Senani writes that she, her husband, and their children will accept the court’s decision—not out of fear, but out of a commitment to the rule of law:

“We accept this not because we fear the courts, but because lawlessness begins where the law is disrespected.”

A Warning on Media and Public Judgment

 Senani argues that allowing unverified claims to spread without accountability is not freedom of the press, but the abuse of freedom.

“We must give people the opportunity to see and hear the truth—only then can we build a truly free society.”

Love, Family, and Emotional Paralysis

She describes the emotional toll the situation has taken on her and their children:

“We shared not just a household, but a deep, enduring love.”

Despite knowing she must be strong for her family, Senani admits that she struggles daily to choose between action and inaction:

“I don’t pretend not to know what I must do. But knowing doesn’t make it any easier.”

Closing Note

This letter offers not only a personal testimony of love and loss but also a sharp critique of how Sri Lankan politics, justice, and media intersect—especially when high-profile figures fall from grace. While Senani defends her husband as a victim of politicized justice, many continue to view his downfall as a long-overdue consequence of unchecked power and wealth.