A renewed discussion has emerged regarding an underworld figure known as ‘Mathugama Shan,’ following allegations that his associates hid Ishara Sewwandi after the murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa, reportedly under his instructions.
Shan, whose full name is Shan Arosha Jayasinghe, is no stranger to controversy. He has a long history of alleged involvement in criminal activities and is said to have maintained close ties with several leading political figures for nearly two decades.
Recently, a series of photographs depicting Shan with prominent politicians has begun circulating on social media and in news outlets. The images show him with former Presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Mahinda Rajapaksa, as well as with MPs Piyal Nishantha and Rohitha Abeygunawardena.
These revelations have reignited public discussion about Shan’s past political affiliations and the extent of his influence.
According to reports, Mahinda Samarasinghe, who has held several ministerial positions, had professional links with Shan dating back to his time in government. Samarasinghe served as the Chief Organizer of the Opposition from 2004 to 2006, before joining the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in 2006. He later became the Chief Organizer for the Agalawatte constituency in the Kalutara District, and subsequently held the posts of Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights (2006–2010) and Minister of Plantation Industries (2010–2015).
Under the administration of President Maithripala Sirisena in 2015, Samarasinghe was appointed State Minister of Finance, later becoming the Minister of Ports and Shipping in 2017. In November 2021, he resigned from Parliament to take up duties as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Mexico, and Trinidad and Tobago.
During the same period, Mathugama Shan served as Coordinating Secretary to the Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights from 2006 to 2010, and later as Chairman of an institution under the Ministry of Plantation Industries from 2010 to 2015. Reports suggest he acquired several acres of Land Reform Commission (LRC) land during that time, further strengthening his position as a planter and businessman.
It is also alleged that Shan developed close ties with politicians by assisting them in various matters, cultivating influence and visibility within political circles. Photographs capturing these associations are now being widely shared online.
Residents of Matugama claim that the politician who first introduced Shan into politics and facilitated his rise has never appeared in any of these recently surfaced photographs. They suggest that this may be because the politician in question is still serving in the diplomatic service under the current government.
That individual is Mahinda Samarasinghe, who continues to serve as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States and Mexico, and High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago.
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