Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda
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!
Related posts;
Pictures Of ‘Hulftsdorf Coup’ Today: Government Thugs At Work
Take A Stand For Injustice: Mervyn’s Goon’s March Going On Right Now
Facing Off Government Goon Squads
Villager / January 15, 2013
You two, I mean you and Sobitha and some black-coats had turned this apolitical impeachment to a complete political match. It looked as if you two wanted it to move that way. Indeed you may well have done it on behalf of some NGOs.
You blessed the accused CJ and Sobitha tied her pirith nule at the court yard of SC and black-coats smashed coconuts in front of SC and cursed the President. It’s a photo seen for international consumption all right. It’s not done father. So, what can you expect?
If you two have done your blessings and black-coats have done their cursing at her residence, I bet, nothing of the sort would have happened.
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JJ / January 15, 2013
This world’s best law; Buddis civilization, ella!!!
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Mohamed Z / January 15, 2013
All so true.
Cry the beloved country!
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K.A Sumanasekera / January 15, 2013
Who says only the bad Sinhala Budhist Monks do politics?.
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Gamaya / January 15, 2013
I agree with Villager that the protest ‘dramas’ in the court precincts was politicising the matter. It is roundly condemned.
But I ask whether he/she condones the roadside beatings by goons which is implied to be deserved punishment.
If so, it is sad.
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Jean-Paul Marat / January 15, 2013
It is not clear who organized the so-called demonstration. When we analyze the way it occurred some unknown force seems to be at work. If the leadership was given by the BASL its leader Wijedasa Rajapakse P.C. must take the sole responsibility for what happened during the event. If he is a true leader he should have given strict instructions to his membership on what is to be and on what is not to be done during the demonstration. If he is a genuine leader he must do whatever possible to defend the participants who attended the procession. Has the BASL leadership done anything to help Mr. Tilak Kariyawasm who was severely assaulted during or prior to demonstration. Does the BASL whose membership includes all the legal luminaries(not “lunumiris”)come forward and instructed Mr. Kariyawasam or others on how to settle their grievances? Demonstrators were assaulted in front of the police officers. Has the BASL filed action against the senior police officers for their omission to do their duties? Has the BASL which includes most of the experts in criminal law and fundamental rights done anything to help the innocent citizens who became victims of the demonstration? It seems that the BASL leadership has not got even the leadership qualities of a bandit queen. I have heard that the terrorist Wijeweera in 1971 had told notwithstanding the risk of death penalty, “I take the sole responsibility for everything that my membership had done during the insurrection”. I repeat that the BASL leadership must take the whole responsibility for everything that happened before,during or after the so-called demonstration.
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Villager / January 15, 2013
I doubt Mr. Wijedasa Rajapakse is directly linked to any of those things. He is a businessman and a politician as well. I say, Ex CJ must take the full responsibility.
While being the CJ, she should have acted as the head of the entire judiciary and a apolitical figure in true sense and not work against the government in a hostile and antagonistic manner. When invited for a meeting with the President ask it in writing and then rejecting it through a letter issued to press is not the way one pillar of the nation should work with the other two, if the CJ wanted harmony with other two pillars and also the country to move forward. Silly lady should have known that would upset the entire government. She should have known that when the President is very popular and his party has two third majorities in the parliament she could be kicked out if she confronted them unless of cause she is lily white. She knew she is not even brownish white.
I think beneficiaries and benefactors of the same NGOs that backed Sarath Fonseka in 2010 have taken ShiraniB for a right royal ride. Whatever she dreamed of, she has had a nice ego trip, I suppose. Now that a new CJ is appointed, ShiraniB has become an Ex CJ in true sense. And pitiless NGO sharks will dump her the same way they have dumped SF. When she realizes true friends and reality of life, it will be too late. What a waste.
I fully agree with gamaya that goons should not be a part of an impeachment.
Leela
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lanka / January 15, 2013
I agree with what Jean had said. People of this country have their concerns about the integrity of the BASL’s campaign on the impeachment motion. Now the BASL says that it will work with the person appointed to the office of the CJ, when they know that there is no such vacancy as the office of the CJ is occupied by Dr Bandaranayake J, who has not been lawfully evicted from the office. They know the world community has already expressed their concerns about the lawless state of the Rajapakse administration. If the BASL is truly committed and concerned about the integrity of the Judiciary, they could have easily tamed the arrogent President, who intentionally violated the Constitution with a clear statement that they would boycot the Court system and bring it to a halt. This is how an identical issue created by the military ruler in Pakistan was resolved compelling the President Musharaff to recall the CJ unlawfully removed. At least from now on these so-called professionals, should realise that half hearted appeals would bring no result. As Mr Jean rightly said the BASL should take full responsibility for the ruthless attack of civil right campaigner Mr Kariayawasam by the criminals mandated to do so by the lawless regime.
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punchinilame / January 15, 2013
The opportunity to bring back the Democracy that we once had, at least
not 100%, is in the hands of the Legal Fraternity, which if missed
based on personal agendas, the end of Democracy cannot be forestalled.
It is idiotic to blame the Village Voters as the DN Bill was created
to bring in these votes by 90%. The Sinhala Spring has to commence
in Colombo for a change, led by BASL + +
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Safa / January 15, 2013
These are the self employed people who have carts and wayside stalls coming under the UDA. They were forced to attend these demonstrations. Also some thugs from other areas.
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Senguttuvan / January 15, 2013
Fr. Iddamalgoda – In a plural society any justice, violence committed to any section of that society must be met with the full force of the law. If those who are at the helm of affairs encourage the break-down of the law, just because it is directed against the “other” – is encouraged, it is certain to visit the offending party sooner or later. When the unarmed Tamil satyagrahis were set upon by Govt goons in 1956 many jeered, laughed and threw stones – injuring the satyagrahis – most of them respected MPs, lawyers and the educated. That “success” was pracised on many Tamils throughout the country in July 1983 and many times thereafter. Now the ghosts of 1956/83 visit us regularly – against the Sinhalese mostly.
I don’t have to remind you the scales of justice must be held equally against all, if we are to call ourselves, at least in the future, as a civilised and democratic society. For the moment, we are far from that.
Senguttuvan
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razo / January 16, 2013
Little Mexico
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Antany Peter / January 18, 2013
What is the value of the “Democracy and Commonwealth?”. The Chinese do not believe in God, nor believe in democracy, or nor part of the Commonwealth, but they are advancing faster than us. The Westerners ruled and ripped off our Country for more than 440 years, but they never done anything to eliminate the caste systems, gender inequality, and racial, language and religious discriminations. Because they knew it will continue to eat us and keep us under the them forever. Furthermore, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi reached a very good political solution for the Tamils’ issues in Sri Lanka under the Indo-Sri Lanka agreement. Unfortunately the LTTE did not see what Rajiv Gandhi did, because of the Tamil diaspora. The 2002 ceasefire agreement between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government also broken by the LTTE. A reasonable political minded person knows that Prabhakaran would not have fought against India without the help of the Westerners through the Tamil diaspora. And also Prabhakaran would not have broken the 2002 ceasefire agreement with the Sri Lankan government without the help of the Westerners who pushed him to fight against India. If you can answer the following questions you will know who have most of the Tamils’ and Sinhalese’s blood on their hands. Who have been deliberately stopping the peace agreements? Who have been guiding the diaspora? Who have been fuelling “hate and bitterness” among the Tamils and Sinhalese? Who have been facilitating the funding to the LTTE, even though they had everything within their reach to stop money get transferred from the diaspora to the LTTE. The answer is Western political minds through their intelligence network. Think about the lost lives since 1987, think about the suffering since 1987, think about the lost opportunities to develop the country and people’s lives. The Westerners act like they are the peace makers, but they are not. The talk about democracy and human rights to fool others, in order to turn people against their own governments. The truth is, the Westerners have a vital interest to divide every community and every country to rule others. There is a most ugliest face underneath their white faces, it is pure evil. Not many people have the ability to see their real face, but few of us do through our hard work and sacrifices. Ask Julian Assange and Bradley Manning, they will tell you more about the Westerners evil deeds. Julian Assange and Bradley Manning are Westerners, but they exposed the truth and ended up in a prison in the US and stuck inside an embassy in London. Some Sri Lankans and some other Asians are praising the Westerners for their own self-centred lifestyle, they don’t care about their own people, or their motherland. Due to my writing, the Westerners did not even allow to sell my house for a profit, because they knew the money will be used to expose their evil deeds. I have applied thousands of jobs in Australia, Canada and New Zealand but I could not even get a basic job. They are keeping me in financial hardship and perfect isolation by their dirty propaganda.
The removal of the CJ is not something new in the world, it happens in the world, including in the United States. However, some eliments may use this opportunity to bring chaos into the country, in order to achieve their ulterior motives. Remember, few eliments were fuelling the civil war and benefited by the war, but not the Tamils or Sinhalese. We must not let that happen again. The president appointed the CJ, the 2/3 of the parliament wanted her to leave the office. If I was the CJ, I would have resigned once the parliament decided to remove me from the office. Taking this matter to the UN is not advisable. The country has been fighting for thirty years, people are free from fighting for only three years. Just wait for few more years, be patient, you all went through the bloody war for thirty years for nothing. I know very well about the parliament members, can we change those leaders mindset overnight? No we can’t. I am also well aware how Rajapaksa brothers are dominating the country, but I can live with that at the moment. We just finished the war, lets give enough guidance and time for them to act, if things do not change then we have other plan too. The President himself did not go to China to eliminate the LTTE, but he was adviced to go China so the other countries will run to him to help, including India. The extremely talented Sri Lankans will direct the country into the right path. If you think, the show is running by Rajapaksa brothers then you are very wrong. President MR does not have an answer for everything, but he has the ability to deal with the external threats better than any other leader. Therefore, Lets approach matters very pragmatically for sake of the innocent people who have died due to the bloody war. It is a new beginning for the CJ. The Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake has a huge potential. She has a lot to give for the country. She must get involved in politics and bring new ideas to the table. Lets people decide whether she is worthy or not. She must not go to the UN, but go to her people and put her ideas forward, in order to develop the country. She must not go to the enemies who divide others, invade others’ countries and kill millions of people to keep themselves on top. Do not go to the devil to get justice. I urge every Lankan to stop listening to the enemies who divide us, they use every opportunity to bring chaos into the developing countries to rule others. We must understand what is missing, then find a solution within us, looking outside will create more problem and chaos than a solution.
The Westerners ruled and ripped off the Indian Subcontinent for more than 440 years, but they never done anything to eliminate the caste systems, gender inequality, and racial, language and religious discriminations. Four hundred years is very long time, at least 10-12 generations. The West could have done a lot, but they deliberately done little. The Westerners have a lot to talk about the Indian Subcontinent’s failure than China’s communism, but they won’t talk about it, because it will highlight their deliberate misleading to keep the Asians under them, plus the Indian Subcontinent is not a threat to their dominant power, but China. “English are to blame for India’s backwardness” published by the Dominion Post, written by Philip Collins, on page B5, Dated January 5, 2013. The Dominion Post is one of the major newspapers in New Zealand. Not all the Westerners are naive or blind, there are people like Philip Collins who sees the Westerners’ evil side. The Indian Subcontinent has enough intellectuals to develop the Subcontinent better than China, but the system won’t allow the intellectuals to lead. Therefore, the intellectuals leave the Subcontinent and develop the Western Countries. This system was developed by the Westerners, in order to keep the Indian Subcontinent poor and weak. We fought against the Westerners to have our freedom, but we still trust them, listen to them and run our political system according to them. This is a huge disaster. The Indians are too scared to change the manufacturing sector, because they don’t want to allow another East India Company. However, they are happy to run a political system recommended by the Westerners. The Chinese are really smart, because they have a political system what is good for them, they did not choose a political system recommended by their enemies. We must stop listening and trusting our enemies. We must develop a system according to our culture and ideology, like the Chinese did, otherwise the Indian Subcontinent will be struggling forever. We must depart from the old system and bring some changes. Being part of the Commonwealth is only helping us to stay behind. Time for us to move forward, our policies are not helping the Indian Subcontinent to move forward as China. Am I recommending a communist system? Not at all, but we need some changes, if we come up with something good, India may even consider our system in the future. We must find a way to lift the whole Indian Subcontinent. India can’t try something new, because it is too big. Sri Lanka is a small country, we must try something new and help the whole Indian Subcontinent, otherwise we will be betraying our future generations.
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