By Basil Fernando
(July 16, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) “Lasantha from the Leader paper went overboard. I took care of him. Poddala agitated and his leg was broken. Now a fellow in my electorate is trying to stand against me. I now tell him in his own hometown, I will give him only seven more days. If he does not resign as chairman of the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha, don’t blame me later on. You’ll don’t find fault with me. If this fellow goes against what I say, I will send him to the place where I sent Lasantha,” Non-cabinet Labor Minister Mervin Silva stated publicly at a meeting in Hunupitiya, Kelaniya on 9th July.
Though this statement has been widely known, there has been no response from the government and no police inquiry. Such lack of response is not unusual; in fact, this is business as usual.
Whether Mervin Silva committed the crimes he claims to have committed is not the issue. What matters is the fact that such statements can be made without fear of consequences. In fact, there is an expectation of some reward. The very fact that people can make such remarks without fear of consequences brings us closer to understanding the present context of the country.
The purpose of his statement is to claim that there will be no hesitation to respond with serious criminal acts if anyone does anything that goes against the interest of government. Lasantha Wickramatunge and Poddala Jayantha are accused of crossing the line. The consequences of such unacceptable behavior is said to have followed. It is a proud claim of vengeance by someone who considers himself a victor. Beware, he tells others.
This is generally the message that the present government is spreading. Direct physical consequences will follow if you cross the lines we lay down. Several lawyers who made appearances in a case before courts on behalf of a party opposed to the Secretary for Defense got their message through the same ministry's website, in which they were named traitors.
Nowadays, the word traitor appears more and more. Such use of language happens only when a country has descended to crudest use of physical violence.
There was no social outrage against the minister's claim that he had committed the crimes against both journalists. The police have been saying that they are unable to trace the criminals. A minister in the government is saying here I am; I did it.
The absence of outrage is a sign of zero faith in the government. No one asks the government to do justice. This is the extent of loss of faith in good governance. Morally and legally, the country has reached its lowest depth. Seeing the lowest depth reached in Russia during his time, Dostoevsky predicted that something terrible would take place in his country. The same can be said of Sri Lanka, judging from the circumstances it has reached now.
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Silva has stated in public that he was responsible for Lasantha's death and the attack on Poddala. Has he been arrested and questioned by the police? If not, why not? Either the police don't take him seriously or he has the protection of the regime. Which is it? Perhaps the IGP would care to respond.
S
"In a Democracy, the people get the government they deserve - Alexis de Tocqueville"
The president chooses continuously to ignore serious antics of this nature from this "element". It's not due to ignorance. It's owing to the need of having different types of weapons in the armery to fight different battles. As long as the majority codones and dare i say promotes the activities of the government without question, sadly, there is no hope for the country. What would result is a brain drain. Those who can.. will.. go
- Scared
Sri Lankan soldiers liberated our motherland from a misanthropic leader, Prabhakaran. It’s a known fact that the GOSL has played a major role in this war against terrorism apart from our patriotic soldiers. GOSL has done a good job and why do you want to ruin it after all. GOSL, longer you have Mervyn Silva in your government, more insult you do to the world’s first ever victory over terrorism. He has given a public statement (threat) to a person and confessed about to brutal killing. WHY DO YOU STILL WANT HIM TO BE YOUR (GOSL) CUTE PUPPY!!!
Sri Lankan soldiers liberated our motherland from a misanthropic leader, Prabhakaran. It’s a known fact that the GOSL has played a major role in this war against terrorism apart from our patriotic soldiers. GOSL has done a good job and why do you want to ruin it after all. GOSL, longer you have Mervyn Silva in your government, more insult you do to the world’s first ever victory over terrorism. He has given a public statement (threat) to a person and confessed about a brutal killing. WHY DO YOU STILL WANT HIM TO BE YOUR (GOSL) CUTE PUPPY!!!
I think the fault here lies entirely with the masses who vote for the politicians of this calibre at an election.Maybe some of them admire such behaviour just because it gives them a temporary kick.Even the so called educated voter prefers to vote for the guy who comes forward from 'their' party, completely blind to his or her background..I am certain there is no hope in forseeable future.God bless Sri Lanka!
Sri lanka is a country anyone can do anything.Rule of law is effective only people who are innocent ,poor and powerless. the people who have enough money and power do not care the law and the police keep no trace of them but respect them protect them .and This is called "third world democracy."
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