In a shocking twist that reads more like a plot from an international thriller than real life, a Dutch former Air Force Officer, Simon Van Haerlemstrrat, and his Sri Lankan-born wife, Shiromi Perera, have found themselves embroiled in a scandal involving trust, betrayal, and alleged theft.
Their story, which has recently come to light, involves none other than Major General AHLG (Lanka) Amarapala, a high-ranking officer and current serving Colonel Commander of the Corps of Engineer Services of the Sri Lanka Army.
The couple’s ordeal began with a friendship, rekindled after 35 years of silence, through the digital corridors of a WhatsApp group. This connection, rooted in shared hometowns and school memories, blossomed into a seemingly genuine bond. Amarapala, on a prestigious Masters of National Security Administration Course in the Philippines, reconnected with Perera, leading to a series of visits and shared moments, including golfing, that many would envy.
The pinnacle of this growing relationship came when Amarapala was invited to stay with the couple in the Netherlands, a visit that coincided with his official trip to Germany. The visit wasn’t just a mere holiday; it was a gesture of deep trust and friendship. The couple even sponsored Amarapala for a golf trip to the USA, expecting nothing but camaraderie in return.
However, the story took a dark turn post-Amarapala’s visit. The once warm exchanges cooled, leaving calls unanswered and messages ignored. Attempts to reach out and settle seemingly mundane matters of reimbursement for purchased items – golfing equipment, laptops, iPads, sunglasses, and clothes – were met with silence. But the true shock came when it was discovered that several items had vanished from Van Haerlemstrrat and Perera’s home following Amarapala’s stay.
Fueling the controversy is the revelation from an officer within the Sri Lanka Army, who confirmed the receipt of a detailed complaint from the distressed couple. The letter dated the 24th January 2024, sent to the Defense Secretary and also the Presidential Secretariat which is currently being investigated, meticulously outlines both the financial and personal losses suffered by the couple.
This saga now casts a shadow on Amarapala’s character, hinting at past suspicions of kleptomania – an allegation that, if true, paints a troubling picture of a man entrusted with significant national responsibilities.
As this bewildering tale unfolds, with more questions than answers, one thing is clear: the lines between personal bonds and professional integrity have been blurred, leaving a once-honored friendship in ruins. The Morning Telegraph’s efforts to reach Major General Amarapala for his side of the story have so far been fruitless, leaving a cloud of mystery over this international incident.
This saga of friendship turned sour, allegations of theft, and unanswered questions not only captivates but also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of human relationships, even more so when they cross international borders and breach walls of trust. As the investigation into these allegations continues, all eyes will be on the unfolding drama, with many hoping for a resolution that brings peace to the aggrieved and accountability to the accused.
They must name the loss making SOE’s restructure them first. Not the SOE’s which are making profits for the longer time to be bundled up with all others and sell to foreign countries for a song. These leave questions on the integrity if the SOE restructuring team and the wheeler dealers irrevocably connected to such deals. People are observing deliberately for punitive action to be taken sooner than later
Was this comment meant for the story captioned “SOE Losses Costing LKR 141,809 per Sri Lankan Household”?
HaHaaa~ Yes, the comment is not relevant to the subject matter & is akin to “කොහෙද යන්නෙ මල්ලෙ පොල්” ~ 😃 Talking about Jaffna pointing at Galle ~ 🙄