The
government’s behavior in handling the impeachment motion demonstrates that it
has no respect for the rule of law. Although, its spokesmen repeatedly declare that
everything was done according to the law it has failed to convince the legal
community and the civil society within and outside the country.
Another
clear instance of government’s disregard for the rule of law is the violence
unleashed on the peaceful demonstrators on the 10th January by the
political goons sponsored by the government.
Those
thugs with poles and stones in hand arrived there with a clear purpose of
committing violence. Indeed their violent actions were really shocking. The
fact that they were committing those criminal activities in the presence of
hundreds of police officers placed there to maintain law and order, was most surprising.
The police inaction to prevent such attacks amounted to police giving
protection to those criminals.
This
surely would not have happened unless the police had orders from the higher political
authorities, to allow a free hand to the attackers and overlook the crimes they
were commissioned to commit. The
behavior of the attackers in the streets of Hulsdorp betrayed the fact
that they had the blessings of the authorities and had enjoyed the privilege of
total immunity.
Can
this happen in a democracy? The right to a peaceful protest is an
intrinsic part of a democratic society and is a long and respected tradition
even in Sri Lanka. The
freedom to hold peaceful demonstrations is a right guaranteed by the
constitution. According to the chapter three of our constitution every citizen is entitled to the freedom
of speech and expression and the freedom of peaceful assembly.
Therefore everyone who loves democratic traditions should immediately condemn
this attack by the Government’s goons and the failure on the part of the State to provide protection to
its citizens who arrived there to express their views in the form of a peaceful
assembly which is one of their fundamental rights guaranteed by the
constitution.
Now
the attack has already taken place. One of the unfortunate victims was Thilak
Kariyawasam. Fortunately, he was physically strong enough to face the numerous brutal
attacks made by the goons with their hands, legs and sticks. Anyone else he would
have died on the spot.
The
Police if interested can easily identify the attackers from the images provided
by the media. But no action has been taken so far against these brutal attacks.
The citizens ought to thank the media personnel for publishing the images of the
political goons attacking the peaceful protesters at the hills of Hultsdorf.
Referring
to the Chief Justice, the government spokesmen have been heard to reiterate that
every wrong doer has to be punished. Although the allegations have not been
proved, she has been punished in an illegal manner.
But
no action has been taken against the wrong doers who committed violent criminal
acts on those who came to demonstrate in the defense of the independence of the
judiciary.
Does
it mean that the government is giving a message to the citizens of this country
that it has no respect for citizens’ rights and is prepared to unleash goon violence
to crush any opposition to its hegemony? This is a sign that we are going to be
ruled by political goons!
Fr.
Sarath Iddamalgoda
