The Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) has today demanded an investigation into the yesterdays’ attack on Dr Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri and Dr Kumudu Kusum Kumara and that those responsible be brought before the law.
Dr. Nirmal
Dr. Kumudu
On the 1st of May a group of persons brutally attacked former FUTA President and current media spokesperson, Dr Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri and Dr Kumudu Kusum Kumara, also a prominent public intellectual, at Kirulapone. Dr Dewasiri and Dr Kusum Kumara had been near the May Day Rally organised by SLFP snubs, MPs Wimal Weerawansa, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Dinesh Gunwardena and Udaya Gammanpila. Those attacking Dr Dewasiri and Dr Kusum Kumara had been shouting that they were responsible for defeating former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Issuing a statement the FUTA said; “Dr Dewasiri and Dr Kusum Kumara were fortunate to get away alive, thanks to the swift action of the police who had been providing security arrangements for the rally. The mob had even tried to attack the police vehicle which took away the two academics from the site.
“This cowardly attack is a grim reminder of the kind of political culture that people thought they had defeated on the 8th of January 2015: lack of respect for political dissent; use of violence and complete intolerance of political opposition. It is extremely unfortunate, that these elements are allowed to behave as if nothing has changed. It is even more unfortunate, that they are provided a space in which to vent their hatred and intolerance and in fact are even encouraged to continue to behave in this manner, by elected representatives. As much or even more as we condemn the mob which engaged in this attack, we need to condemn the politics which engenders this kind of behaviour. It is the venomous political ideology spewed out by those who are no longer in power, after they have been defeated through democratic means, that is promoting the attitudes and actions that led to this attack.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the attack on our two members and colleagues. We demand an investigation into this event and that those responsible be brought before the law. Finally, we would like to reiterate that as university academics who have fought to uphold the rule of law, democratic principles and the right of dissent, our members cannot be intimidated by such cowardly attacks. We will continue to work for these principles and support all endeavours to ensure that this country strives towards the political reforms which the people voted for on the 8th of January 2015.”
Jagath Fernando / May 2, 2015
Nothing will happen as usual!!!
/
Amarasiri / May 2, 2015
FUTA,
“The Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) has today demanded an investigation into the yesterdays’ attack on Dr Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri and Dr Kumudu Kusum Kumara and that those responsible be brought before the law.”
Absolutely. Push for an investigation.
Thee is still a lot of room in the Prisons fro crooks and Criminals of Mahinda Rajapaksa.
/
Sensible citizen / May 2, 2015
I am sure there are many videos of the attack in circulation. Very strong action on this matter will resist any future unlawful attacks on other groups. Any leniency will help them escalate this behaviour to the next level and at the same time call the government ineffective and weak. Government should nip it in the bud.
/
Yasin / May 2, 2015
Jan.9 and over three months later the government is still ineffective and weak. Apart from whatever happened at this venue wanted thugs, corrupt politicians, VIP’s and officials under investigation are all moving about freely as if MR is in control. Air Lanka exposed over a month ago and is still mostly managed by those named in the damning Welimuna report.
There are still MR supporting policemen of various ranks on duty as well as many government officials who are loyal supporters of the MR regime are actively working to cut the sod right under MY3 and RW.
The government has quickly forgotten the voters who put them there
on Jan 8. Apart from the changes on top with a batch of hopeless ministers, everything else remains the same as it was before Jan 08. People are still under intimidation and those who have been named as corrupted are openly criticizing the government and are still the favored lot.
The government must not forget that the voters elected MY3 hoping for good governance and to expose and punish the wrong doers irrespective of their
positions of the past.
However, disappointingly, the masses cannot see any action forthcoming from
MY3 and his team, perhaps the people misread the 100days which, I think, was
in fact a 1000 days. because what we are now hearing is similar to the 1001
Arabian nights stories.
/
justice / May 2, 2015
The Terror Culture nurtured by Mahinda Rajapakse is still alive.
This attack is part of it. The attackers appear not to have been arrested. This should be investigated.
The Sirisena regime may be encouraging such attacks by keeping the “Prevention of Terrorism Act” in the statue book – which allows arbitrary arrests and incommunicado incarceration of any citizen, by merely labelling him/her as an ‘LTTE supporter’.
Gotabaya Rajapakse was the sole administrator of the Act.
/
Dr Laksiri Fernando / May 2, 2015
It has been a habit of many young university academics to roam in the streets of Colombo on the May Day and observe various demonstrations and meetings. I used to do the same with late Dr. Newton Gunasinghe and others. On certain occasions we also wrote commentaries based on those observations. We were never attacked although we also held certain political viewpoints.
The attack on Dr. Nirmal and Dr. Kumudu appears to represent the violent political culture, cultivated and promoted by the past regime. With the appearance of populist slogans that culture attempts to promote fascist tendencies. As a May Day incident, this attack is most despicable. Both Nirmal and Kumudu are left leaning academics. FUTA’s condemnation and call for investigation are absolutely necessary if the country were to halt these fascist tendencies.
/
Namal / May 2, 2015
I am very happy about this incident. Somebody has to remove his hands and legs as well. These are the real culprits who destroyed the Higher education in this country and put University of Colombo into a mess.
Thanks for attackers and this is a beginning
/
Ebola da Silva / May 2, 2015
Apparently Mr vasudeva who had visited the Kirillapone Police station had accepted that the attackers were his men. If the police cannot trace the attackers take vasudeva and hold him in a dark room with no water until he divulge their identity.
To make the action 100% successful, place this Namal joker in a dark cell with no water and food. If that is hard, no food no water and a 500 W bulb.
/
lex / May 3, 2015
Have the Police recorded a statement from Vasudeva & the Police Officers on duty. I.G.P.are you sleeping as usual!
/
Navin / May 3, 2015
Or, keep Namal Kumaraya in permanent restraint, with his Crown Jewels placed within the blades of an electronic scissor with its remote control switch handily placed inside Temple Trees. Rule of Law guaranteed.
/
Village Man / May 2, 2015
[Edited out]
/
Heretic / May 2, 2015
Have the victims made a written police complaint?
/
roshan / May 2, 2015
Appears to be a planned propaganda.It is high time for university dons to teach some thing to students even now at-least.preaching is enough.
/
Amirthalingam Rasakumaran / May 2, 2015
I, the President of University of Jaffna Teachers’ Association vehemently condemn the attack on Dr.Nirmal and I too demand a speedy inquiry into the assault and bring the culprits to book. If this does not happen actions like this assault will increase and the country might go back to the anarchy as it was in the past. I completely agree with FUTA’s request
/
Jim softy / May 2, 2015
One guy is a former JVPer. the other also may have some baggage who knows.
/
Off The Wall / May 3, 2015
I’m sure all people who believe in an open and free society will condemn the cowardly attack without any reservation and fully endorse FUTA’s demand for swift action by the authorities. Dr Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri and Dr Kumudu Kusum Kumara are among the very few in the academia who have sincerely tried to fulfil their obligation to society by mediating as public intellectuals at a time of grave threat to our democratic freedoms. Whether everyone agrees with their views or not, no sane person will deny their contribution towards developing a new political culture by their foregrounding of reasoned discourse in the public life of our country.
/
nafeel / May 3, 2015
Why can’t we treat this a provocation; why were these two near the rally organized the people whom they cannot treat friendly with them. Freedom is different from intelligence.
/
Sinharaja / May 3, 2015
This was the political culture that Rajapaksha’s established in this country for their existence and selfish gains. Intolerance of different views were never accepted. Hence the infamous white vans of Gota to flush out anyone who did not fall in line with them. Going from temple to temple in the evenings MR may think he is paving the way to come to power again. He has proved what a cheap man as well as how low his IQ is he is by criticizing the present government, not giving a proper answer when media questions him and claiming how good he ran this country etc.etc. People of this country will never allow this ‘Local Mugabe’ & his clan to ruin this country again. One can imagine the fate of the two academics had they been in power! Hope the culprits will be brought to book and dealt with as per the law unlike the times he interfered with judiciary!
/
dcn / May 3, 2015
This meeting was organised by the discards of UPFA and naturally all goons would have been participating. You cannot expect better from these guys. However, pressure should be built up for strong investigation and punishment of the culprits.
/
Jagath Siriwardena / May 3, 2015
Apparently these slaves have attacked the two academics without personal directions by their masters.But they without any doubt knew that intimidation and assault are their master’s wish. The real danger is not personally leading thugs by politicians to attack their opponents but the slaves of a certain ideology taking over the task into their hands on their own and punish the dissent.This is an important characteristic of fascism and any authoritarian tendency.This trend has to be arrested without further delay.
One stitch in time saves nine.
Jagath Siriwardena
/
sundara / May 3, 2015
after several years of disorder and unruly nature of the country and inaction of the maithree govt. unruly and anti social elements are bold enough to undertake attacks like this. this should open the eyes of the president and the PM. otherwise the trend can be a focus on them.whatever reason you have you are slow and encouraging the mafia crowd.
-sundara
/
Heretic / May 3, 2015
Apparently Dr Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri made a police complaint before being admitted to the National Hospital.
Now the police should investigate.
Please Dr Dewasiri and Dr Kumara use some common sense in the future, If you want to see what is going in a meeting or demo buy a drone with a video camera instead of personally going to “enemy” territory.
/
MAMS / May 4, 2015
This cowardly act depicts Rajapakse culture is still active through four stooges from UPFA and disgruntled goons of SLFP men & women who lost their boss at the last Presidential elections. Since the god father is out of power the henchmen are no longer protected from prosecution for financial crimes.
It’s time for President Sirisena to know who are/were behind this act. If MY3 thinks Speaker CR is different to MARA,GOTA or Basil he is sadly mistaken. Birds of feather flock together. Entire Madamulana culture is same. Therefore, if MY3 wants to talk to Mara at the official residence of CR, then he will have fallen to Mara’s trap. Look before you leap; think before you act is the caution MY3 should take.
Anyways, before it’s too late, let Parliament be dissolved and allow the people to decide who should be elected to the new legislature. Same time let the voters send those stooges of MARA, GOTA Basil and CR who plundered the wealth of the nation be given the boot and show the exit door for ever!
/
kk / May 5, 2015
[Edited out]
/