By Vishwamithra –
“The healthy man does not torture others – generally it is the tortured who turn into torturers.” ~ Carl Jung
‘According to the Batalanda Commission the only conclusion one could arrive at about the matters discussed at Batalanda was that they were illegal. Noting that Ranil Wickremesinghe had advised the police on dealing with public meetings convened without permission, the Commission stated that he had no legal authority to give such instructions to the police and therefore he had abused his position. The Commission was of the view that this issue was connected with the running of illegal detention centers and torture chambers at the Batalanda’. So describes Dharman Wickremaratne, one time editor of the Silumina newspaper of the Lake House Group of newspapers, in his column dated August 3, 2015 under the heading, ‘Demons of Batalanda: Who was behind them?’ No contradiction was published thereafter and no request for an apology was made by Ranil Wickremesinghe after its publication. In the journalistic world, it’s an unofficial official acceptance of the veracity of the facts contained in the said column.
Ranil Wickremesinghe was just a Minister under the Premadasa regime. Batalanda is situated in the Biyagama electorate, Ranil’s electorate which he nurtured after the 1977 General Elections. Batalanda was an out and out torture chamber for the members of the then Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). The dishonorable days and the more inglorious hours during which some of our brethren, whether they were loyal to the State or not, were subjected to inhuman torture. The creators of torture chambers such as Batalanda went outside the constraints of our Constitution to quell such an insurrection of the JVP.
One can debate the pros and cons of the ’87-’89 insurrection engineered by Rohana Wijeweera and his loyal supporters of the JVP. No way can one agree with the means and methodology adopted by the murderous JVP at the time. Their means and methodology went far beyond constitutional and legal constrictions. Innocent men and women were slaughtered and killed; unsuspecting civilians were selected for sudden disappearance and eventually found killed in the most brutal manner; human heads appeared on culverts; decrees on the precise manner and ways were issued as to how the funerals of the dead could be conducted. A macabre scenario existed during these darkest days of our sociocultural drama. Those who watched these killings helplessly may still be among the living, but I’m sure it must be extremely jarring to recall those memories.
That is the context within which the Batalanda and other torture chambers were put into action. Their functioning was extremely efficient in attaining their desired targets. But at what cost is the million dollar question. Can a small democracy like Sri Lanka withstand an assault on itself and survive? Can she take prophylactic measures to avoid such an armed insurrection? These questions have been asked a million times in human history and each time the answer has been yes and no! Mankind has proven time and time again that it is not capable of answering these complex questions. It is the ultimate tragedy of mankind. It is utterly depressing and utterly distressing. But does that condemn all mankind to the caves of ‘un-civilization’?
Any group or segment of our population can engage in many a way of opposition to the Sate machinery. They could resort to the most violent means available; but they must also realize that if they fail in their attempt to topple an incumbent government, they must face the consequences but it is certainly crazy and draconian for anyone to subject those insurrectionists to unspeakable torture and physical agony. It is neither unfair nor unreasonable to expect the State to treat the violent wrongdoers within the accepted methods and structures of justice and fairness. Sirimavo and Felix Dias Bandaranaike knew it could be done and they showed it in the wake of the ’71 April Insurrection. Only a demonic and perverted mind would resort to other devices. Ranil Wickremesinghe is such a demonic and perverted mind.
After Ranil Wickremesinghe was (s)elected President by a majority of parliamentary representatives amidst the chaotic status created by the fleeing of Gotabaya Rajapaksa from the country, who became victims of a kind are the Aragalakaruwos, those who had the daring and creativity to engage in vigorous opposition to the State machinery and its wheel-turners. Ranil recognized the power of the Aragalaya and its ominous consequences to those who rule. He, within mere hours after being sworn in to office, deployed the armed forces on the Aragalakaruwos on Galle Face Green. Then began a process of suppression aimed at those who dared the government and resumed their Aragalaya. Little did the Aragalakaruwos know that they, in fact, were facing a much more brutal President, sinister in character and determined in personal vendetta. He was never ever fortunate to be rightfully elected to that office of President of Sri Lanka. Ranil Wickremasinghe then began his statecraft which is less narcissistic but more liberal in appearance. At the core was a modern makeup of a little Mussolini.
He got busy with drafting legislation sugarcoated with harmless names but inherently dangerous to the highly acclaimed human rights of a people. In this connection, Human Rights Watch remarked as thus: ‘On September 23, 2022, the Sri Lankan government invoked the Official Secrets Act to designate public streets and government buildings in central Colombo as ‘high security zones’, where written permission from the Police is required to hold any public gathering. Under the regulation, Police have extensive powers to arrest anyone inside these ‘high security zones’. Only the High Court can grant bail to those detained. These broad and stark restrictions embolden excessive use of force and prolonged detention for people exercising their rights to peaceful assembly and expression’.
‘The sweeping new regulation severely restricting public protest in Colombo is President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s latest desperate attempt to stop people from protesting,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch. ‘While the country is struggling to deal with a deep economic crisis, the government should be making it easier for people’s voices to be heard, not throwing them in jail when they speak out’, Meenakshi reiterated.
While the world watched Ranil went to town. He did not implement this super-statecraft in a vacuum. He paid his tribute to the armed forces and the Police. He extended his untidy hand to the brothers and sisters of the forces. Overnight Ranil became the darling of the Police and the three armed forces. Then came the Bureau of Rehabilitation bill. One has to look back only to 22 March, 1933- Hitler’s establishment of the first concentration camp, Dachau. The entrance gate used by prisoners carries the phrase “Arbeit macht frei” (‘Work makes free’), or ‘Work makes [one] free’; contextual English translation: ‘Work shall set you free’). This phrase was also used in several other concentration camps such as Theresienstadt, near Prague and Auschwitz.
Rehabilitation has a very harmless connotation. That is to the outside world; but to those who are being sent for rehabilitation, it’s virtual death sentence. Ranil in effect is creating a 2nd Batalanda. Those who protest are the enemies of the State and need to be rehabilitated. The very forgettable era of R Premadasa is being reinvented and at the helm this time is the one who so loyally defended Premadasa during his impeachment days. Political cycle has taken a full circle and spinning mindlessly without anyone’s awareness. The grandnephew of DR Wijeywardene clad in western clothing, speaking English and appearing as a neoliberal is silently engaging in the most harmful statecraft and subjecting today’s liberal-minded youth to rehabilitation camps for showing the heart and guts to express themselves in speech and assembly. None is so powerful than those who hide their power. Ranil is falling into that category of leaders- who hide their real power.
It is certainly not too late for us to realize this stark truth. And it is not too late for us to do something about it either. It might cost them too much. Those who cannot are seen today crowding the long lines at the Passport Office. They are leaving the country. Especially those who are educated and equipped with the credentials that the foreign companies ask for are in a mad rush. It indeed is tragic that a novel paradigm has set in our midst. The echoes of Batalanda are not very conducive to the ear that has been used to the evening lullabies and romantic serenades.
The present generation of youth does not know the history of Batalanda saga. Its melancholy decors and tasteless functions have taught the previous generation an unmistakably depressing lesson. But whether we have learnt anything from such dastardly inhuman treatment of fellow human beings is another dynamic. If we choose to look the other way, turn a blind eye and act as nothing has happened and let the bygones be bygones, such attitudes will not get any nation anywhere as is promised in our nation’s beginning. Struggle is no alien element and struggle has not deterred our march, on the contrary, it has rendered much needed determination and momentum. But let not Batalanda saga repeat in any form, mild or harsh.
*The writer can be contacted at vishwamithra1984@gmail.com
Ajith / October 14, 2022
Gota said that he has two faces. Similarly, Ranil also have two faces. They don’t talk much but they both focused on eliminating any one who is a threat to them or who block their interests. Both are fundamentalists but they differ in their actions. Unfortunately, Gota had four or five siblings, so they have to wait for their opportunity but there is siblings problem for Ranil that is why he has become six times prime minister and now President to save the Rajapaksa family and other 135 criminals who are in the parliament.
Ranil recently introduced tax increase for people but does any one know what is the worth of those 225 MPs in the parliament and those families attached to Rajapaksa family and Ranil Family and how much tax they pay to this country?
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old codger / October 15, 2022
“Ranil Wickremasinghe then began his statecraft which is less narcissistic but more liberal in appearance. At the core was a modern makeup of a little Mussolini. ………One has to look back only to 22 March, 1933- Hitler’s establishment of the first concentration camp, Dachau”
Would it not be possible for authors to use less contradictory hyperbole ? Even Jehan Perera’s carefully sedative style is preferable to Vishwa’s lurid prophesies.
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lankan100 / October 14, 2022
There were times you wanted to find fault on Gota, Now its time for you to find some negative thought on Currrent ruler who is only one sterring now. You job is find fault on every leader that comes to power ?
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SJ / October 14, 2022
“The healthy man does not torture others – generally it is the tortured who turn into torturers.”
So, if RW is turning once more into a torturer that he was supposed to be, which of his torturers on CT will take responsibility?
Can the author tell us exactly what RW’s role was in Batalanda? He is answerable for things that are different from what the portrayal suggests.
It is easy to paint people in any hue as one chooses and then pelt them with whatever comes to hand.
*
I think that we have moved into another age where everything presented is centred on Ranil like the time when it was all centered on Prabakaran.
Cannot we think of options outside such personalization of issues?
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Sinhala_Man / October 15, 2022
Dear Vishwamithra,
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PART ONE
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I have no doubt that Ranil operated torture chambers. To quote you:
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“Who was behind the [‘Demons of Batalanda’]?” No contradiction was published thereafter and no request for an apology was made by Ranil Wickremesinghe after [Dharman Wickremaratne had had his say]. In the journalistic world, it’s an unofficial official acceptance of the veracity of the facts contained in the said column.”
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How strange that people like “leelagemalli” have not defended their hero, Ranil, in a comment below this article? LM has a different strategy; he tells us ‘Counter Stories”. Here’s an example:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/hooray-for-unhrc-there-is-no-constitutional-objection-to-the-resolution-on-sri-lanka/comment-page-1/#comments
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On that page, please identify “leelagemalli’s” comment beginning:
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“A Terror Story from 89 Era:”
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We know that it is a true story. How? Because LM asserts, “This is a true story, ……… it’s not made up.”
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Please read all that spine-chilling stuff. Now, I heard something similar, around 1991.</b
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Sinhala_Man / October 15, 2022
PART TWO
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During the “Beeshanaya” a Police Inspector’s wife received three telephone messages from ‘a sergeant’ in the Police station. The first, “Your husband said he’s getting late, but he’s sending ingredients to prepare supper.” A messenger arrives fifteen minutes later, with a loaf of bread, and a piece of liver wrapped in the large leaf of a “gahala-yam.” She was asked to cook the liver and have it ready; the Inspector to arrive in an hour.
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Forty-five minutes later, the ‘sergeant’ called again: “Your husband says he’s getting two hours late. He says, have your dinner and go to bed, leaving his supper on the table.” Fast forward, half an hour; “Your hubby says, he’ll be back soon, but don’t stay up for him. Have you had your supper?” “Yes, thanks”, says wifey. “Was the liver nice?”. “Yes, the kids and I have had most of it; his share is on the table.”
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“Listen,” hissed the ‘sergeant.’ “We are the JVP. You have just eaten your dead husband’s liver”.
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My reaction then was, “Yes, I know what horrible things the JVP did. It’s nauseating”. Did I “believe” it? Perhaps, but I didn’t repeat it.
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Sinhala_Man / October 15, 2022
PART THREE
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Everything that we are told isn’t always true, but we can’t be disputing every story that we are told. If I tell the first guy I meet tomorrow that the Rupee has fallen further, and that 500 of them are needed to buy a US$, I think that I will be believed because I don’t tell blatant untruths, and what motive could I have? However, I’m sure that it’ll be checked out within a a day or two, and that’ll be the end of my credibility. But how on earth can one “falsify” the Policeman’s Liver story? Could the teller have had a motive to invent such a story. DEFINITELY!
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For any piece of empirical information to be meaningful, said Karl Popper, it should be possible to falsify it.
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I was definitely told that story; I can’t remember by whom. Now that we’re trying to reason seriously, certain deductions can be made from the existence of two essentially similar stories.
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You start, my friend, “leelagemalli”! My observations will follow later.
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Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela (NIC 483111444V)
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Sinhala_Man / October 18, 2022
Thanks to those who “LIKED” my disgusting story. My view is that both this, and the other, which appears here:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/hooray-for-unhrc-there-is-no-constitutional-objection-to-the-resolution-on-sri-lanka/comment-page-1/#comments
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have been made up. Those who “approved” my relation must have realised why I put it on. I hadn’t alerted “leelagemalli” that I had put this story here, but a few minutes ago I emailed the link to him. He is an absolutely sincere man, who still associates the JVP with “dirty things” that he fears that they did to him.
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Anyway, this is AKD’s 12 minute “explanation” in Sinhala made on 14 Nov 2021:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFTX3hyjrg0&t=611s
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I may have to analyse it further for those who don’t understand Sinhalese. AKD does apologise here.
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Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela (NIC 483111444V)
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Lasantha Pethiyagoda / October 15, 2022
There is no time to lose. The people must claim their country back from the power hungry and greedy vermin infesting parliament and in other upper positions in industry and govt agencies. They must collectively take a leaf out of Mahatma Gandhi’s passive resistance against the oppressive British Raj. The nation must bring the educated intelligent youth to the fore, as they have demonstrated their sincerity and commitment in no uncertain terms. Farcical elections have never delivered justice to the millions of starving masses and will never do, as only crooks and criminals are given nominations. Do not wait for the next round. Butter lander will then become an irrelevant nonentity.
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Sinhala_Man / October 18, 2022
Dear Lasantha,
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I won’t ask you what “Butter lander” is! To me, it’s clear that Artificial Intelligence already thinks it is cleverer than us! It’s convenient for us to get our “bad spelling” of English (which notoriously has no system) corrected, but every advance brings fresh dangers.
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I agree about Gandian passive resistance to topple this government, but whom do we replace it with? Who decides which of the “educated youth” should wield power, and for how long?
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What we say, here, or in person to individuals whom we meet, cannot result in educating more than a handful. If we aim to turn them into “mental clones” of ourselves, that is also a form of “brain-washing”, isn’t it? I know that this is not a problem for us to tackle right now.
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Yes, right now, I’m humbly backing the “Aragalites” because it is they who can, and must, do something.
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Panini Edirisinhe
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Sinhala_Man / October 18, 2022
Lasantha,
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I’m sure that you’ve been following what’s happening in the UK. Listen to the last words in this 6 minute video:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9DD_0bVenY
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He says that in any other country both Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwatang would be taken to courts. He’s forgotten Sri Lanka.
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These are all his videos in reverse chronological order:
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https://www.youtube.com/user/zontulfilmsltd/videos
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It may seem strange that I should listen to him on an almost regular basis, but this is a man who reads all the responses that he gets, and answers a few – on the blog. I’ve told him about Lanka; he said that he doesn’t know enough about our situation, although he has relatives here, or something like that. A compassionate, and civilised, although some of us may be surprised to find him discussing how he realised that he’s gay.
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Panini
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davidthegood / October 18, 2022
Vishwamithra, You are right that aragalaya does not know Batalanda saga. That purpose killed to eliminate, not rehabilitate. Even after Westminster Abbey, Ranil did not meet God. UN is mainly Islam worship, hoping for Jerusalem to be Palestinian, obstructing the return of Jesus to the Mount of Olives and Jerusalem due to Jewish cry. Hence final battle armageddon will descend on Jerusalem. We humans better back the right side.
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