Letters to the Editor
View(s):Doublespeak and double dealing (action) of our rulers
The aragalaists (protestors) — as all of us know — were unarmed, not even a stone in their hands or pockets. Even the rulers, the police and various political parties opposed to the aragalaya admit this fact. The rulers who resigned or fled the country never experienced any form of violence from the aragalaists.
The President when he was PM even declared that the aragalaists were important and wanted to give them state sponsorship. The rulers admired the GotaGoGama laser show as beautiful and creative. In glowing terms they pointed to the ethnic unity, solidarity and the fact that even infants and toddlers were brought to GotaGoGama while peacefully participating in the protest.
However, a few days later, the rulers began to call the aragalaists terrorists, fascists and extremists. The rulers had received a new understanding. The youth never fought for any personal benefits (no jobs, houses etc.) but drew attention to the misdoings of the rulers and the sufferings of the citizens, with a number of people dying in queues and others dying without urgent medicines and nutrition. The middle-class youths who participated in the protests were deemed by the rulers to be decent but the poor university boys and girls and the sweaty masses – are suspect and cannot be trusted! This is the double-speak.
Now the rulers have become ardent keepers of law and order. The President went to the extent of rapping a western ambassador, saying that in their own country, state buildings are out of bounds to citizens and so why find fault with Sri Lanka for doing just that. The law is law for every citizen; all are subject to the law. Some legal opinion too confirmed that causing the ex-President to flee is unconstitutional. And so those who stole a slice of papaya, consumed some food, sat on a President’s chair while admiring the President’s House are being arrested assiduously by the police and hauled before magistrates and charged for these heinous crimes! If the law is the same for all citizens, then it should be applied to all, no exceptions, that is JUSTICE.
However, under these rulers the law is not the same for ALL citizens. The rulers apparently are exempt. On May 9, some rulers with their followers unleashed violence on unarmed, non-violent aragalaists at GotaGoGama, breaking bones, spilling blood and burning tents of the aragalaists. These violent rulers are not arrested for violating law and order but are promoted to ministerships! The police are silent on this.
Some parliamentarians who desecrated the Speaker’s chair with chillie powder and threw holy books and chairs at the then speaker, are made ministers. No law and order for parliamentarians! This is the double dealing (action) of our rulers. Where is the accountability of the rulers? Where is their integrity? And these are the very people who want to save the country and build a nice future for all of us. Probably to save the country from the citizens for themselves!
Henry de Mel Via email
Faith lost in Gotabaya and those who once worked to bring GR into power
Recently it was reported that Prof. Charitha Herath, ex-COPE chairman, while speaking on procurement of LP gas, had said that though the people had elected Gotabaya Rajapaksa (GR) as President, hoping for an end to waste, corruption and irregularities, unfortunately that faith was shattered.
This is what people now hear from most of those who worked untiringly to bring GR into power.
Where were they during the period 2005-15? Had not Herath and others, at least heard about the unresolved court cases in which GR’s name had been mentioned? If that statement was made by an ill-informed man in the street, it is forgivable, but it comes from a person who had been in the inner circle. What actually happened was that by knowingly promoting GR as a person who would put an end to waste, corruption and irregularities, vast number of persons like Herath lost their credibility even before GR’s election as President.
Further, such people continued their journey with Gotabaya and other Rajapaksas, till their (temporary) fall from grace.
A Ratnayake Via email
Another long wait for new visas?
According to Tourism Minister Harin Fernando,
the Cabinet has approved multiple-entry tourist visas
for up to five years, instead of the current 30 days. Travellers would be allowed to stay in the country for six months at
a stretch. This is a sensible decision. As anyone visiting
the Immigration Office can see, a large number of tourists go there to extend their 30-day visas, spending thankless hours coping with the bureaucracy.
The decision reminds me
of a news item that appeared
in March, 2018 in the Sunday Times, about a previous Cabinet decision that would allow Sri Lankans who had obtained citizenship in other countries to obtain a lifetime permanent residency (PR) in
Sri Lanka for the payment of US$1500. Unfortunately, even after four years, this decision has not been implemented.
Minister Fernando should work with the authorities concerned to forthwith implement the recent decision. Otherwise, we may have to wait another four or more years, despite the urgent need to promote tourism.
George Braine Via email
Searching for an ideal partner? Find your soul mate on Hitad.lk, Sri Lanka's favourite marriage proposals page. With Hitad.lk matrimonial advertisements you have access to thousands of ads from potential suitors who are looking for someone just like you.