Mask around multi-millionaire Martin

By Chris Kamalendran

A 50-year-old Pelmadulla gem pit worker who won the largest lottery prize in Sri Lanka has been forced to shun his new found celebrity status due to the large number of donation seekers hunting for him and keep his whereabouts secret.

Mr. Martin receiving his cheque from President Mahinda Rajapaksa

Since the National Lotteries Board (NLB) announced that the super prize of Rs 60 million was won two weeks ago by P.K.M.D.Martin, the Board has been inundated with letters and telephone calls from various organizations and individuals asking for the new multi-millionaire’s address.

“We are getting at least 20 letters and inquiries every day requesting the winner’s address. They apparently want to contact him to seek donations for various worthy causes including medical treatment,” NLB General Manger M.S. Karunaratne said.

He said the NLB would not divulge the winner’s address for security reasons.

“Instead of his normal national costume, the winner came in full suit so that he could not be easily identified and this also was done for security reasons,” the general manager said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa who presented the bumper cheque to the winner was also puzzled as to why the gem pit worker had to switch from his national costume to full suit and NLB Chairman Daya Liyanage intervened to explain why.

He also said the NLB had advised Mr. Martin, a father of four, to leave his village and live in Colombo but he preferred his old home.

Mr. Martin after receiving his cheque on Friday immediately donated Rs. One million to the National Defence Fund but he has not yet decided what to do with the rest of the millions.