'Jeevan is a ray of light'

"I neither see him as a film star nor as a politician. He is my Jeevan," says Shereen, wife of the Cabinet Minister - Land and Land Development.

Jeevan Kumaratunga is not just a star on the Silver screen but a ray of light in Sri Lankan politics too. Following in the foot steps of his paternal uncle, the late film star cum politician Vijaya Kumaratunga whose resemblance is very much like his, Jeevan has also earned much fame.

Film stars often hide their birthdays in order to cover up their age. Some go for facial treatment and even plastic surgery sometimes. But for Jeevan and Shereen, no probs, they still don't need any of it. The lucky couple are proud parents of two young daughters.

"They are in UK studying Law. We miss them a lot. We are looking forward to seeing them during the December vacation," says Shereen.

Shereen Priyanka Senaratne was born in Colombo, Wellawatte and the second of six siblings. Her father Piyasena Senaratne was the Ex-Chairman of the Fertilizer Corporation, and mother Beatrice Senaratne was always there providing her with all the comforts any one could expect.

Though her elder brother had many friends, she never fell in love with any of them. "Since I was about 12 years, I had, had a vision that I should be careful when selecting a partner for me. This was because I grew up among a lot of cousins, and had seen the family problems propped up among them. Meeting Jeevan was unexpected," she still feels excited about it.

"My father was promoted from the Working-Director post to the post of Chairman, and threw a party.

My elder brother also invited a few friends of his to this party. When he was inviting a friend, Jeevan too happened to be there with his friend, and so my brother had invited him too. It was the first time Jeevan stepped into my place. We did not know each other. I had only seen him in a few films," says Shereen.

Shereen was just a 15-year-old school girl at St. Paul's Girls School, Milagiriya. When her father introduced her to his guests at the party, Shereen felt something especial for Jeevan not merely because he was a young actor, but it was some special attraction which she cannot quite explain.

"Actually I never liked the roles he played. In one of his films, 'Nevatha Hamuvemu' he stabbed uncle Vijaya (Vijaya Kumaratunga). I was so upset to see that scene as Uncle Vijaya was my favourite. Likewise many roles he played at that time were that of villain's," she reminisces.

"My family and uncle Vijaya were involved in different party politics. But uncle Vijaya was a very good friend of my father, and was loved by all of us. Jeevan was introduced to me as uncle Vijaya's nephew.

So, at the party however, I looked at him and hmmm... I can't remember if I smiled with him... After the party Jeevan somehow made it a point to visit our place on account of his friendship with my brother. His warm friendly nature won the hearts of every body at home," she smiles.

This was the peak of Jeevan's acting career. Among all his fans he fell only for this school girl who of course had a very little knowledge of cinema. Her orthodox back ground left him with very little opportunity for him to meet her.

Finally he decided to talk to her father. "I appreciate your straight forwardness. But, Putha, we have to wait until Shereen finishes her studies," said Mr.Senaratne, Shereen's father.

Jeevan was allowed to visit her only on Sundays. Later it extended to the weekends. "When our horoscopes were tallied in India, the astrologers had told my father that Jeevan and I had been together for many past births. And even in the next birth we would be together.

This prediction made my parents really happy, so just after my A/Ls my father decided to give me in marriage to Jeevan," smiles Shereen.

The wedding of Shereen and Jeevan took place at the Inter Continental Hotel on June 18, 1986. "Even before marriage he took pains to explain to me about the work his roles in films.

He wanted me to understand that they were mere performances in front of a camera and not a reality in life. So, later after the marriage he even took me along when he went shooting. I began to realise things, but was a little possessive at the beginning," she laughed.

"But then many of the actors and actresses who worked with him later became very good family friends of ours. Many actresses who played the main roles with him are now my personal friends," she says.

"He got married when he was at the height of career. So, whenever we went out for a film or a function, his fans would surround him, most were girls of course who used to simply grow crazy. A big Fan Club, every where we went. Sometimes I used to get pushed away, and Jeevan had a time trying to hold me and keep me beside him," she laughs.

Question: Did you feel uncomfortable?

Shereen: When seeing him playing a love scene used to make me a bit possessive at the beginning as I told you earlier. But later I realised it was just an 'act'. I began to admire him; my husband Jeevan was becoming so famous after all. The bond between us began to grow stronger as time went on. Later all his fans became my fans as well. I don't know how it happened. But, it happened (laughs).

Jeevan Kumaratunga was born and bred in Seeduwa. He was the youngest in the family. Jeevan has a brother and sister. His father Sydney Kumaratunga was a Draughtsman at the Municipal Council and his mother, Therese was a house wife. Jeevan studied at Carey College Colombo.

Though he had earned a name as a sportsman while at school, the six footer with his good looks helped him qualify to become a film star. Apparently he became the shadow of Uncle Vijaya who was a star both in the Sinhala film industry and politics as well.

Vijaya's tragical death was the greatest blow to Jeevan, but it made him stronger to carry on his plans for the future. "I never liked Jeevan getting into politics. Even his mother was quite against it.

But since it was aunt Chandrika's (Ex-President Chandrika Kumaratunga's) special request he contested for the Provincial Council election and secured the highest votes in Colombo in 1994. After that he has been contesting the Moratuwa seat successfully," claims Shereen.

Jeevan became the Deputy Minister and then the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs before he was appointed to the present post as the Land and Land Development (Cabinet) Minister.

Question: From time to time there has been a few allegations against Jeevan and his Ministries.

Shereen: Yes, once there was a talk that he has many connections with the under world and then a rumour went on of his involvement with a foreign job agency racket. He trusted people too much. He was confident that the truth will set him free some day. So it happened.

Question: Trusting people a lot seems to be his weak point. What are the special qualities you see in him?

Shereen: His patience and goodness on the whole. And also his ability to see any problem positively. Even when it comes to little things that prop up over the children; he handles matters very well.

He has a charismatic leadership. Even at the Ministry, he never let anger over rule things. If he gets angry he remains silent. Though he is a Minister her prefers to be called 'Jeevan Aiya'.....

Question: He is a man with two busy careers. How did you manage the home front alone?

Shereen: I think I'm very lucky in that sense. Soon after marriage the other siblings of mine decided to come and stay with me. Both of them are really fond of our two daughters, Malsha and Malisha. Malsha is now 20 years and Malisha is 18 years.

Both have inherited their father's height. At present both girls are in UK, so more than us the grand parents actually miss them a lot. I was a house wife through out, so with the help of my parents I never had a problem in raising my daughters.

Question: At present what are you engaged in?

Shereen: I helped out with the charity work Jeevan is involved in, and get engaged in a lot of religious activities. At least once a week I never fail to do a 'Bodhi Pooja' in the temple. Jeevan and our daughters too join me if they are in the country or not busy.

When schooling our father never allowed us, the girls to stay after school, so I rarely had a chance to do any extra curricular activities. The only hobby I engaged in was 'reading'.

And I still do it. These days I'm very much involved in reading books on Buddhism as I want to enhance my knowledge in Dhamma. Sunday is a day that we spend with Jeevan's mother. His father is dead, but his mother is still living at Seeduwa. His family is very united.

Question: What are your future plans?

Shereen: I'm quite content with my life. Jeevan has a good character certificate. He is a person who knows how to adjust his life. Both our two daughters studied in an International School, but grew up with a sense of cultural belonging. Both Jeevan and I are really proud of them. I want to spend the rest of my life as I've done.

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