Whither democracy?

“Citizens of Sri Lanka believing in the rule of the law, democracy and the principles involved, and having used their franchise in electing their representatives to look after them and the country’s welfare are baffled at the degrading behaviour of our politicians who shamelessly patronise underworld criminals, to boost their ego and have the impunity to eliminate those who cry a halt to their political debauchery.”
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by R. Gurusingham

(March 17, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) In spite of the fact that we belong to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, with law and order, a necessity for good governance, and having all resources at our command to maintain law and order, we are unfortunately unable to quell and control crimes and criminals — only handful of them seem to rule and thrive on robbery, and thuggery.

The question is, why is democracy being challenged with impunity, in that democracy has been transformed into a government of thugs, for the thugs and by the thugs, creating scenario in which law enforcement authorities succumb to political thuggery.

Combating crime and criminals has become well nigh impossible, and law abiding citizens who depend on law, justice and social order are being deprived of same. It is a pity that the Police Force, once a powerful organisation, in doing their duties legitimately, and a thankless job at that too, in maintaining law and order and trying to crush underworld criminals, is being penalised for doing their duties. Strange indeed! It is a blot on Sri Lankan culture.

Citizens of Sri Lanka believing in the rule of the law, democracy and the principles involved, and having used their franchise in electing their representatives to look after them and the country’s welfare are baffled at the degrading behaviour of our politicians who shamelessly patronise underworld criminals, to boost their ego and have the impunity to eliminate those who cry a halt to their political debauchery.

Although our representatives seem to be educated, they do not know the maxim that "education is not to go to learn what you do not know, but to learn how to behave".

They have even turned the highest legislature to the level of St. John’s fish market using billings gate language never heard of in that august assembly prior to our Independence! "The question is", is our Independence taken to mean free demonstration of true character in abandonment of all control a disgrace to society. They seem to have taken life as an easy prey to their whims and fancy and believe they can eliminate lives of people who oppose their creed.

We the people of Sri Lanka who have elected our representatives, never dreamt of our representatives acting in such a disgraceful manner and we are forced to hang our heads in shame wondering what other democratic countries would think of us. During election time, they come to us crawling and begging for votes promising the high-heavens, and to look after our welfare and the country’s welfare. Believing in them, we vote them, only to be disappointed.

Everyday we see in the papers that crime is ever on the increase, especially bank robberies, all because army deserters join underworld criminals and threaten society, trying to create a state of anarchy!

Are not politicians ashamed of their conduct that brings disgrace to our country? They must realise that Sri Lanka belongs to the people and they have no right to damage the serenity of Sri Lanka, where every prospect pleases, but only politicians are vile. In their greed for power and pelf they have become blind to the rule of law and they must realise and know for a fact that they cannot thrive on the misery of others. Are they not human beings or do they think they belong to a higher strata of life, so that ordinary mortals can be eliminated at their whim and fancy! If not, why do they indulge in inhumanity to man? Are they above the law?

Sri Lanka has been a rich country with its natural resources and cultural heritage with 2500 years of Buddhist culture. It is therefore, not understood why such a beautiful country has turned into a country that flouts all norms of a civilised country. All due to the dirty game of politics! It is said that honesty is the best policy, but politics is not an honest policy.

Is power and wealth the opium of politicians who try to achieve these by foul means? It is a question of live and let live and all political parties be given the chance to prove their mettle at election time doing good propaganda work convincing people of their manifesto. Let the people decide and give their verdict. The victor and the vanquished must bow down to the verdict of the people who are makers and breakers of governments.

- Sri Lanka Guardian