Sunday Times 2
Desist from stoking racial embers
In the recent past extremist politicians in the south and north have been beating the drums of race and religion in order to achieve their hidden objectives against the elected government in power. With the proposed amendment to the Constitution in order to devolve powers to the provincial councils, the extremists stepped up their campaign against the proposal based on suspicion, ignorance and deliberate misinformation based on racial and religious reasons, in order to whip up support for their ulterior hidden motives, completely misleading the public.
Devolution of power has been debated in Parliament in a democratic way, where every member had the freedom to speak for or against the proposal.
When the late Mr. J.R. Jayewardene brought in the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, there was so much hue and cry against this proposal alleging that it was for him to arm himself with dictatorial powers. History has revealed that after the demise of the late J.R. Jayewardene, many more presidents have come and gone, having enjoyed the powers vested under the present Constitution adapted by his government. Except the incumbent President who has shed some powers vested upon him under the Constitution all the other presidents made use of it to stay in power.
The 13th Amendment was proposed and enacted despite vehement protests by extremist groups alleging that it was brought in on the instigation of the Indian prime minister at the time. Violent acts, damage to public property were a result of the protests organised by extremist groups. How many chairmen and members of pradeshiya sabhas have enjoyed or are enjoying the benefits of these bodies established under the 13th Amendment?
Even under the proposed devolution of power which is yet to be legalised, there has been whipping up of similar sentiments alleging that the country is to be divided and police powers will be whittled down from the IGP and in time to come devolution of power will pave the way for a separate State. The proposal for devolution of power has been debated in Parliament in a democratic way, where every member of Parliament had the freedom to speak for or against the proposal. This is what is called democracy.
However, whilst this democratic exercise was being undertaken, disgruntled extremist political elements went round the country inciting the people with half baked and false information to rise up against the government. When such propaganda is undertaken by politicians who are disgruntled and disappointed, the people tend to believe what is dished out to them, though the majority of them are intelligent enough to separate the chaff from the grain. The minority of the people of Sri Lanka who tend to believe what the disgruntled politicians in the extremist groups feed them, have reacted in a manner which is bound to bring about unrest and hatred between the communities who are living in our country in peace and harmony.
During the last week there has been report of a group known to be the AVAA group in the North who had been in existence for some time engaging in anti-racial activities in the north. It is also alleged that the members of this group are former members of the LTTE, or a rump of the LTTE. The police and the security agencies must take a serious view of the activities of this group before this group turns out to be a terrorist group. Extremists and disgruntled politicians in the north could make use of this group for their advantage which could turn the country once again into the dark days of yesteryear.
It is also disheartening and depressing to learn about the behaviour of a member of the Northern Provincial Council said to be a minister of education, in refusing to hoist the national flag when he was invited to do so as the chief guest at a school function. When the government and most of the Tamil politicians are joining hands to solve the ethnic problem which has been plaguing our country for so many decades, the behaviour of this minister no doubt is a step backwards. Subject to correction, other than the late Mr. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, espousing federalism and the pact between him and the late Mr. Chelvanayagam, no government took any serious steps to settle the ever festering problem. Though not implemented no government in power has taken the initiative to propose a mechanism to solve this problem. Whilst the government is taking an initiative notwithstanding the opposition from the majority community, the act of the Minister of Education of the Northern Province should be condemned irrevocably. He has by his act provided further ammunition to the extremists in the south to strengthen their campaign against the proposal of the government in respect of the devolution of power.
Last week though, quite sensibly, the press and mass media refrained from giving publicity to the clash at Gintota, it is now known that this clash was between two communities. The police and the government are reported to have taken immediate and stern action against the miscreants of both communities irrespective of their political affiliation, and some of them who have been remanded are said to be members of the ruling party. It is a healthy sign to know that the government in power is taking action against their own people who are politicians, who have violated the law of the land. The immediate steps taken by the police and the government in arresting the miscreants and having them remanded has sent a strong message to those who are inciting people of different communities to achieve their own political ambitions. The government, the police and the security services should continue their vigilance in collecting intelligence against the rabble rousers, whether they are from the south or the north, and put them behind bars so that our country will not plunge into chaos and mayhem. Let us all strive to be citizens of one country, Sri Lanka, irrespective of our racial and religious differences. Hatred begets hatred, if you sow hatred, you will reap hatred in double measure.
One mother, one Sri Lanka, all Sri Lankans.
(The writer is a retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police.)