By Nishthar Idroos –
Nishthar Idroos
Unleashing extra-judicial acts by representatives of the people is nothing new to Sri Lanka. It has flourished for decades courtesy of our “law-abiding” legislators. Whoever gave the tagline “country like no other” to Sri Lanka must be endlessly sugar fed, congratulated and rewarded for his or her deep understanding of the Sri Lankan nation, its polity and culture.
More I see this signature more hilarity it induces in me. This in no way is an attempt to discount Sri Lanka’s true and natural beauty. As a breadth taking salubrious destination blessed with impeccable weather, the island nation is a must visit to anyone with the means. Its people warm and hospitable as always. Its politicians a confirmed rarity on account of many reasons namely beliefs, personality, conditioning, priorities, educational qualifications, discipline or the lack of it. Most have acquired anecdotal fame.
About Sri Lankas politicians you’re warned of the danger or pleasure of courting with insanity. I was recently telling someone there’re characters in the current Sri Lankan parliament and before characters if only carefully comprehended, contemplated and creatively expressed million dollar masterpieces would abound and I am not kidding.
After nauseating performances by multitudes of the species, news surfaces of a comely lass heralding from suburban Colombo, a lawyer, elected to parliament just under a year, getting into that infamous, inevitable and irresistible act most of the species fall prey to. The much publicized banner of Yahapalanaya or good governance received another nasty blow.
A man apparently had been forcibly taken away by “Judge Hirunika’s” staff members. Our purported protagonist had made a valiant effort to dispense instantaneous justice. The black Land Rover Defender belonging to the Member of Parliament had been used for the abduction. It seems black Defenders are now replacing white vans to continue the sordid legacy of abductions.
The Member of Parliament had postulated great audacity defending her staff members’. “Judge Hirunika” had repeatedly said she only wanted to prevent a family from breaking up. The victim, Amila Priyanga Amarasinghe on the other hand had said that he was personally threatened by the parliamentarian.
The profession of a lawyer is a noble one and it’s self-governing. Lawyers are expected to conduct themselves in ways which are highly ethical and above reproach. The Code of Conduct defines the principles and high standards which are applied to every lawyer in Sri Lanka, for that matter in any country. “Judge Hirunika’s” conduct is reprehensible hence constitutes a gross betrayal.
Members of Parliament have an even stronger code of conduct as they are representatives of the people hence directly responsible for their social and economic wellbeing.
The flak the incident generated had a negative effect on the supposed white banner of Yahapalanaya. Tabloids and the online media was a hive of activity. Farcical caricatures got produced online on high-octane fuel, one replaced another. True to its character the online genre got predictably viral and unraveled the squalid episode. The event reduced it to a derisive travesty.
For a moment I was thrown to the American arbitration-based reality court show presided over by retired Manhattan family court Judge Judith Sheindlin. “Judge Judy” which premiered in the 1990’s earned great ratings. The show reportedly revitalized the court show genre in the US. Well Judith Sheindlin was a true judge and Hirunika wasn’t.
Since when did mediation of parliamentarians were sought to diffuse domestic discord? It seems it’s a challenge to obliterate the egregious legacy of BBS and the culture of impunity remarkably unveiled by “eminent” personalities like the right honorable Mervin De Silva PhD. They won’t fade away easily.
Only a couple years ago we saw the militant saffron brigade telling shop owners what and whom to sell. Not forgetting the theatrics of the pint sized “Chandiya” who famously tied government servants to trees and spewed superlative vitriol to the sadistic pleasure of onlookers. These incidents still palpably vivid to most Sri Lankans is still very much integral to Sri Lankan politics. Let’s also welcome “Judge Hirunika Premachandra” to the exclusive club.
During those days of melodrama the law enforcing apparatus of the country was virtually emasculated. There was calculated subversion carried out by hoodlums of the ruling party of that time. These elements obviously had support and patronage from higher echelons of power.
The ugly incident has no doubt put “Judge Hirunika” on a spot. The ruling parties have firmly disowned her due to here direct involvement. The remarks of the JVP is telling. Its politburo member and Member of Parliament Vijitha Herath charged that the Police were under heavy pressure not to deal with Ms. Premachandra. He further said “Previous government was toppled due to the ‘white van’ culture but now we have a ‘black defender’ culture,” He claimed she was accountable since her vehicle had been used by her personal staff.
Ms. Hirunika Premachandra must demonstrate greater wisdom and restraint if she is to have a long and successful political journey. This is a nobrainer. Recklessness and combativeness may obviously pose impediments. Most importantly she should never, ever take the law on to her own hands.
Tamil from the north / December 30, 2015
Someone should catch this [Edited out]
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Amarasiri / December 30, 2015
Nishthar Idroos
RE: Judge Hirunika Premachandra
Did she throw her bra? No, but she did break the law, or as it her or her supporters on their own?
She tried to “save” a family being broken up due to various influences in society.
She did not try to whip or stone the guy to death, the Wahhabi Saudi Arabian style.
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Backlash / December 31, 2015
British-trained lawyer Hirunika was acting with good intent. She was aware there was a backlog of over 650,000 cases pending in our Courts for decades. All she did was to cause instant justice by taking the law into her own hands. She even provided transport and personnel for the purpose. She did not want to inflict on this long backlog in the interest of complainant, respondent and the justice system in general. Phew! Old Bailey in Ole Blighty has really taught this lovely luscious lass a thing or two – in the laws. Our litigants sure are lucky with this lawyer.
Reminds me of the successful American TV serial Petrocelli – where the lawyer Petrocelli and his assistant go after the baddies personally and bring them to book. Even Maggie Thatcher made references to the Petrocelli type of justice – whether seriously or in just – I do not know.
There is enough in this case to de-frock this MP – perjury being just one. But then in Sri Lanka it is not how much law you know and much of it on your side. It is sufficient if you know the Law Minister or his superiors. Lankan kind of justice will flow from then on.
Backlash
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justice / December 31, 2015
Backlash,
Hirunika has no British qualification in any field.
Abduction of any citizen is a serious non-bailable offence.
Sri Lanka situation is a reality and has no relation to American TV fiction.[Edited out]
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Backlash / January 1, 2016
I made some comments by way of satire and am afraid some of the readers have taken this differently. The punishment for kidnapping is laid out clearly in the Penal Code. But the problem is today, in most cases, justice is dispensed with according to who you are and who you know high up in the regime. A relative returned here after
about a quarter of a century and is shocked the entire country, society, justice system, the Police and just about everything in what was earlier a decent society and pleasant, united and peaceful land has changed – to the worst.
Backlash
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whywhy / December 31, 2015
Bachlash,
Hirunika was one of the notable campaigners and an
all attractive speaker against evils and injustice
under MARA regime . And now,even before the August
heat settled down , here we go with our inborn
easy predictable and typical character ! People are
being constantly cheated firstly by the very same
one tiny group that keeps promising reforms until
it captures its seat. Hirunika , a young blood,
came to politics selling off her father’s
unfortunate killing . She definitely became a
swollen head and tried to develop the same old
“big head” syndrome to dominate poor voters on that
line of thinking , thus becoming an alternative to
Duminda. But she’s going to be in the dock sooner
or later .
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Kumar R. / January 1, 2016
Backlash,
I support the view that taking law into one’s own hand is not always wrong without exception.
For instance, the rugby players recently assaulting the expired-princeling was an abundantly justifiable “taking the law into one’s own hand”! It is justifiable, because there is sufficient grounds to believe that even despite the promise and proclamation of yahapalanaya, there is official reluctance at the highest level to serve justice where political heavy weights, even expired ones, are concerned.
So, if this guy that Harunika kidnapped had been a political-pig and had accosted Harunica’s official’s wife, then I not only would fully endorse Hurunika’s initiative, but applaud her for that.
But if this is a guy-simpleton and had a consensual affair with Harunik’s official’s wife, then, not just the man, but the woman too should have been severely and publicly condemned for their infidelity, advised to take corrective action including proper counseling.
Kidnapping and trashing is not becoming of a responsible official, especially one with aspirations for much higher office. She does have to face consequences of her unwise decision to intervene in this high-handed manner.
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thrishu / December 31, 2015
It says clearly in a recent police spokesman’s statement that they have not yet found any evidence of Hirunika having broken the law.
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Inspector Dirty Hari / December 31, 2015
thrishnu,
“It says clearly in a recent police spokesman’s statement that they have not yet found any evidence of Hirunika having broken the law.”
The spokesman has stated that the police wants the opinion of the Attorney General in this case. In my opinion it means that they have evidence but are afraid to prosecute her without the Attorney General.
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Supun Jayawardhana / December 30, 2015
I think they are representing the average mentality of the people.
See, at the time, last elections were called, how many of vote eligible voted for criminals. This is the natture of this people.
One of my German colleague, got married to a poor lanken woman few years ago. For some reasons the marriage did not last longer than a year. So the german man wanted to devorce the woman. There, he di dnot know the process in the country. One good educated lawyer had blackmailed the foreigner as no other woudl do. This is how lanken lawyers in average work. So in a country
even graduated ones behaves like Thirisannu, what can you expect ?
I believe, they have that in their genetics. To be abusive as no others.
I only get hurt each time visting the country, though I get back to see the nature of my motherland. Good luck
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Amarasiri / December 31, 2015
Nishthar Idroos
RE: Judge Hirunika Premachandra
What about de Abrew and the slew of Rajapaksa Criminals?
‘Unleashing extra-judicial acts by representatives of the people is nothing new to Sri Lanka. It has flourished for decades courtesy of our “law-abiding” legislators.”
Examples: Through the Grape vine….
Second phase of conspiracy of SC judges to save rapist Abrew and thereby Rajapakses…
report on 20 th December exposed the conspiracy hatched by Supreme court (SC) judges to rescue the notorious SC judge Sarath Abrew the rapist in his criminal involvement, and thereby provide relief to the deceitful Rajapakses. By now this conspiracy has progressed to the second stage…
These SC judges have decided to hear the fundamental rights (FR) petition filed by Abrew who is facing two charges in the lower court. Abrew has pointed out in his petition that those charges are political revenge motivated.
Form this it is clear even though there is no capacity to distort the ordinary accepted procedure pertaining to rapist Abrew’s petition , but still the Rajapakse powers are dominating the judicial arena.
The three judges selected by the SC Registrar to hear the petition of Abrew are : Chief justice as president of the panel ;Priyantha Jayawardena whom Lanka e news earlier on exposed as the originator of the conspiracy and a stooge of Rajapakses; and Upali Abeyratne who had a dispute with Sarath Abrew .
It is the plan of the Rajapakses through the decision that gives relief to rapist Abrew , and through that show ,even Abeyratne who was attacked with the water bottle has concurred in that decision because of its fairness . Based on this plan , when two of the judges Priyantha Jayawardena and Upali Abeyratne , of the three judges panel are taking one view , the chief justice is shunted and solitary,which means the desired verdict can be secured by the Rajapakses.
Taking advantage of the weakness of the CJ of the government of good governance , the defeated discarded Rajapakses have made a number of plans to topple the government of good governance through the judges who are Rajapakse stooges via similar verdicts delivered by them in the future …..
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Pinthuappu / December 30, 2015
I think even young generations would not know it right as the europeans would so. I mean to differenciate the good from bad. This nation would take another few decades to become a civilized one.
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Park / December 30, 2015
/what whip is Yahapalana Presient Maithrepala Sirisena going to take to whip Hirunika. If the President is a honest person then he also should whip Hirunika. Lets see how Yahapalana and honest he is.
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Crazyoldmansl / December 30, 2015
Maithripala is pushing very hard to see that Veronica is kept alive politically.Birds of a feather flock together they say. The stingrays tail and the black defender have become the symbols of yahapalanaya.
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KA Sumanasekera / December 30, 2015
Faaarrrrk.. Doesn’t she look good..
No wonder Batalanda hand picked her to represent the Colombo Elite at the expense of that aged beauty who was cool , calm and collected..
BTW, Wonder what happened that Muslim Minister who threatened the Tamil Magistrate in Mannar?..
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lal / December 31, 2015
Surely, you are not suggesting sexism exists in the Good Governance establishment! Rose petals may wither with time and a new bud will bloom. But Batalanda style abductions still happen. Batalanda will remain in many hearts and minds forever!
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KA Sumanasekera / December 31, 2015
Lal, Are you mad to suggest that sexism is in Yahapalanaya.
Look at the heavy lifters who are giving us Good Governance.
[Edited out]
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Horikadey / December 31, 2015
I am told the Muslim Minister was planning to do his Haj pilgrimage
and was only practising a little bit of stone-throwing at the Tamil Magistrate in Mannar. This act, we learn, is an important part of the pilgrimage and comes down from the medieval ages. Thankfully, the Minister is still around in the new team – although on occasion, he does a little encroaching on protected forest reserves to keep his voters happy.
Horikadey
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KA Sumanasekera / December 31, 2015
Horikadey,
I thought Battha got busted by a Saffron clad Monk on Hard Talk..
I feel sorry for the poor Monk, No one is there to there to protect them..
Abiyhthaya is busy counting the Singapore Dollars with Mahendran to do the Megapolis…
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kumaran / December 30, 2015
At one point she showed guts and character. That was when she totally ignored MR at her father’s funeral and fearlessly stood for Law and Order. I recall someone commenting that she may turn out to be a great leader. Then there was a photo of her on all fours, worshipping MR. That was when I realized she is just a common politician !!
Now, she has proved beyond doubt that she is “a common politician”, and if I were RW and My3, kick her out of all her responsibilities and remove every bit of privilege that NONE of them deserve.
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Adrian / December 30, 2015
All are blaming Hirunika for the mistake done by her. All seem to have forgotten Gota’s and his associates terror activities, massive frauds etc. Hirunika’s fault is is a small mole and people must focus their attention on past frauds and crimes. Hirunika will have to learn logic, not law – which seem foreign.
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EDWIN RODRIGO / December 30, 2015
The problem is that with Gota’s Goat type Gorahedi, skin even a mole the size of Mt. Pidurutalagala would not be as noticeable as an ant testicle sized mole on Hirunika’ smooth face.
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Jim softy / December 30, 2015
Mistake ?
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MOHAMED MARZOOK / December 31, 2015
Gota started in a small way and went in a big way. If not ‘nipped in the bud’ Hirunika too will go in a big way.
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Jim softy / December 30, 2015
Nishthar:
What she did was wrong. But, that is just one incidence.
what Rishad Bathiuddian doing very destructive to the country.
He cleared Wilpatthu Wild life sanctuary to settle Muslims.
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MOHAMED MARZOOK / December 31, 2015
Ah…There seems to be a communal twist in the words said. Please get rid of that mentality. If Rishard has done anything wrong let him be punished. Similarly, Hirunika too should be dealth with. Can we forget both of them hail from the still in place corrupt and violent political culture.
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Jim softy / January 2, 2016
If it is communal don’t remind it.
How about, Raug Hakeem made one woman self immolate.
they are men, they escape.
How about, rishad Bathiudduan, throwing stones at the Courts ?
All neglected ?
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lal / December 31, 2015
“What she did was wrong”. In any mature democracy such as UK, Australia a MP in a similar situation will stand down until investigations are completed. This is what MY3/Ranil W should ensure that she does if people are to have any faith in the Good Governance that they promised and electted upon. If found guilty following court proceedings, Hora-nayaka or whoever ought to be booted out of parliament. (But then one may ask why not boot out the other crooks who are parlimentarians)
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Inspector Dirty Hari / December 31, 2015
lal,
“In any mature democracy such as UK, Australia a MP in a similar situation will stand down until investigations are completed.”
Just what I was thinking. I agree but SL is not a mature democracy.
There are many other politicians investigated by different authorities and with court cases. They never step down in our country.
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Psycho / December 31, 2015
In a mans world, how can you arrest a sexy, pretty THUG?
She know the law putha.
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EDWIN RODRIGO / December 31, 2015
Please do not arrest her. Instead let her arrest me and manhandle (or is it womanhandle) me.
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KA Sumanasekera / December 31, 2015
Eddie,
How about Hiru in full leather including the knickers and the Whip, woman handling you?..
I got to appreciate your good imagination mate …
Our current Yahapalana Parliament is the best we ever had after the real Tail Coats left it in the hands of local Tail Coats and Sarwalas..
BTW, that JHU Monk who was hand picked by Batalanda again, on the UNP ticket is gone quiet..
Last I heard was that he was under Herbal Oil Therapy in those Ayrvedic Treatment centres, where they give happy endings too, to celebrate Yahpalanay.
I didn’t make it up mate. I learned it from LeN..
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Paul / January 1, 2016
‘How about Hiru in full leather including the knickers and the Whip, woman handling you?..’
Sumaney, Eddie got thrashed for free by his lady teachers when he was a young lad. Now he has to pay for such things. Some people just don’t appreciate a trousers-down-six-of-the-best caning!
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Inspector Dirty Hari / December 31, 2015
Idroos,
“A man apparently had been forcibly taken away by “Judge Hirunika’s” staff members.”
I have only seen some of the pictures but it looks like a man is being pushed into a Defender by others who are holding his neck. In at least one picture I have seen two children who must have witnessed the whole incident.
What are the kids learning when they see their father involved in kidnapping the boyfriend of their mother in this violent way? What kind of trauma has been caused?
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kali / December 31, 2015
Nishthar Idroos::
1) A man apparently had been forcibly taken away by “Judge Hirunika’s” staff members. Our purported protagonist had made a valiant effort to dispense instantaneous justice. The black Land Rover Defender belonging to the Member of Parliament had been used for the abduction. It seems black Defenders are now replacing white vans to continue the sordid legacy of abductions.
*** Judge Hirunika is one hell of a Lady. At least she wasnt paying LIP service like many of Sri Lankan Politicians on many issues.With her prominent Lips at least she tried to give Mouth to Mouth Resuscitation to save a failed marriage and Credit to her.
Recently Namal posted a picture of “Roshitha” reminding the Nation his services to the Nation. What Namal failed to tell the Nation was his diservice to Thajudins family.
It is a pitty that when Thajudin was murdered Hirunika hasnt started the “Service Provider ” job to save the relationship ( Thajudins) by kidnapping Roshitha.
She was at the time I would say with some adulation ” Pathinarum Niraiyatha Paruva Mangai” and wouldnt have even had enough “Pubic Hair” to leave behind for identification purposes.
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Angus / January 3, 2016
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Bagehot / December 31, 2015
@Idroos: why? would you rather we implemented Sharia law and she beheaded him?
Is CT becoming an apologist website for islamists?
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Yasin / December 31, 2015
Pls don’t take it all on Hiruni[Edited out]. I take full responsibility for all her faults. I will understand if she were to throw her (Hiru)[Edited out] and bra(machandra) at me. Pls dont condone her actions for being the judge and jury
afterall she has been elected by the voters (stupids they may be) and why not if our stupid voters can elect criminals, thugs, racists and national plunderers to represent them and get screwed right royally.
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KA Sumanasekera / January 1, 2016
Where is our Native Veddha?
Is he in Norway on Christmas Holiday, not to have noticed Hiunickers Yahapalana antics..
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Lankan / January 1, 2016
Who says what Hirunika did was worst than throwing bras at Enrique? She still wears them so Mr. President will not take his whip!
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janaka / January 1, 2016
We must be only country in the world where people like Mahinda and Namal etc.etc.can become lawyers without a single O level?
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