Darshana Handungoda, who said 'I'll be back' but left for good

Journalist Darshana Handungoda, a prominent political commentator and social media activist, passed away this morning (10). Mr. Handungoda, who had been ill for some time, ended his life while receiving treatment at the National Hospital in Colombo after undergoing surgery. He was 55 years old at the time of his death.

He was a popular figure who attracted a large number of social media users, especially by presenting highly critical and investigative views on the national issues and political situations in the country through the 'SL DESHAYA' YouTube channel. Mr. Handungoda, who played a pioneering role in using social media as a tool for social justice, is also known as a journalist who faced state repression on several occasions due to his direct opinions and criticisms.

 Family sources state that details regarding the final rites of the late Darshana Handungoda will be announced later. The video titled 'Gihin Ennam' (I'll go and come back), published about five months ago, in which he made some clarifications about his illness, became the last time he addressed his audience. It was a poignant moment when he hinted at his illness in that video and ended his speech, leaving behind the doubt of what would happen after the surgery. His video message is as follows.

Greetings!

Tonight, we met from a distance where the Parliament is visible.
For the past several days, this commentator of our SL Deshaya has adopted a kind of silent policy. Many personal acquaintances and friends know about this.
This is the most important thing many people started asking me.
Did this government silence me?
Did the government give some privilege or benefit and sideline me?
Otherwise, others started making various excuses and saying.
"Oh... is he drunk?"
"Why aren't you doing programs now?"
There were people who said that too.
However, there comes a time when we have to deal with the 'truth' part of life. We all know that.
We have unreservedly criticized all kinds of governments that existed and were formed, and we have said 'good' to what was good, 'bad' to what was bad, and 'yes, we agree' to what we agreed with.
Such occasions are like that. What you see in the distance is Diyawanna itself. Nothing else.
But we thought, there is an important journey that must be undertaken after informing you. We have to go. This commentator of SL Deshaya thought that you should be informed before embarking on that journey.
That is, as humans, we all age, grow old, face various illnesses, and contract various diseases.

If I keep talking about such treatments, son, I could do a one-and-a-half-hour program. No problem at all. It's just like standing on any main road and talking politics.
But there was a problem that developed over time, but not much attention was paid to it. By the time the seriousness of that problem was felt, it was a bit too late. Now I regret it.
So, finally, it was decided that this commentator is to undergo surgery. I absolutely have to face that surgery. I cannot avoid it.
To be honest, I gave it a 'full try' to avoid it. Why hide it? Even if others don't know, my siblings who came from the same womb know. My NPP friend who was with me back then knows very well.
So this time, son, I cannot avoid this surgery. Therefore, I prepared for that surgery throughout the past period.
So I thought, finally, I'm going to the hospital tomorrow. It's a journey that needs to be undertaken with dedication. It's not a journey where you 'party'. It's not a journey to eat, drink, and have fun. So it's a different journey.
Therefore, I consider it my duty and responsibility to inform you before I go. It's not that the government silenced me, or that the government gave me something, or that I asked the government for something and because it wasn't given, everything is messed up... That 'nonsense' was not there then, it's not there today, and it will never be there in my life tomorrow.
But I thought, first of all, to do anything, I need to restore my health. If I restore my health, I can fight for a while longer.
Therefore, due to these health issues, I am going to the hospital tomorrow.
As a duty, I am going to the hospital tomorrow without holding any anger, not even a mustard seed's worth, against all those who have scolded me, blamed me, some praised me, and some even wished harm upon my deceased parents, criticizing me in various ways for a long time.
I hope... doctors say, specialist doctors say, 'We will cure you, but son, you need to be dedicated'.
I will honestly dedicate myself. If I don't dedicate myself, it's not right for me. If it's not right for me, the story 'closes'.
Therefore, with the hope of fulfilling my duty once again for the people of this country, and with that idea in mind, I am going to the hospital tomorrow.
I don't know how many days, how many days I will have to stay in the hospital on a bed. About that... that's how people get sick at certain times in life. It's not just a personal thing for me. It's not a personal problem. Doctors, professors, politicians, prime ministers, presidents all end up in the same place. That's the normal natural condition.
But as soon as I recover; who is committing the wrong? Who is that person doing it? What is his color? What is his symbol? What position does he hold? What ministry does he hold? Is it the compass, the machine, the elephant, the bull, the dog, the donkey... whoever it is, son, as soon as I recover, our usual talk will resume from the moment it stopped.
Until then, give me a little time. I will undergo that surgery tomorrow, successfully face the surgery, and return home with new courage, new strength, new vigor, and new power, with the hope that we will not hesitate to say 'good' if it's good and 'bad' if it's bad for the mandate you created. So, I'm going then.
Victory!
Victory to free healthcare!
Victory to free education!