“Kirimandala”: Our Female Stars In The Gold Rush

By Shyamon Jayasinghe -February 2, 2014 

Shyamon Jayasinghe

“Being an actress is just like being a politician”- Ruwanthi Mangala

Can we make sense of this widespread attack on the rush of cine and tele-cine actresses onto the political stage in Lanka in time for the Provincial Council elections?  Examine this phenomenon a little critically and you will find that the jeering and sardonic criticism does say more about the critics than about their victims. It is all publicly displayed hypocrisy. It is also misogynistic. It is in bad taste. It is unfair.

The latest to stage an attack is the Island feature writer, Lucian Rajakarunayake (1/2/2014) who labels the lot of beauties as sex symbols, suggesting they are unworthy of the ‘superior’ game of Lankan politics.  Lucien’s diatribe matches with numerous emails going around. I just received one that refers to these young women as “kirimandala” (milk machines) and using photo shop creativity to highlight their breasts. The image juxtaposes the face of the Minister of Health, Sirisena, displayed as enjoying pneumatic bliss. It is immaterial here that Sirisena is unable to supply drugs to suffering cancer patients. The stars are described as “gon wassian,’ (young cows).

I just received one that refers to these young women as “kirimandala” (milk machines) and using photo shop creativity to highlight their breasts.

In the first place, what is intrinsically wrong about a film actor participating in politics? The world has had famous television personalities that performed with distinction in politics? Ronald Reagan, former President of America, is a prominent illustration. Sri Lanka, too did have Gamini Fonseka, TB Illangaratne, and Vijaya Kumaratunge. Some, like Paba, maybe dreadful examples, no doubt; but then the good and the bad is common across all categories of pollies.  Paba had been a special ignoramus. The late Cyril Dharmawardena related to me a story according to which Paba was seated in front of Cyril at a Sirikotha meeting; she turned behind to Cyril and sought to be educated: “Cyril Ayye, kawda aney Castro kiyanne?” (Brother Cyril, can you tell me who Castro is?). Mind you, Paba topped the UNP preferences at Gampaha beating mature business leader, Karu Jayasuriya.

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