28 March, 2024

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Political Violence And (This Time) The Chief Minister!

By Hilmy Ahamed

Hilmy Ahamed

Hilmy Ahamed

Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed’s outburst is not acceptable by any standards. As the senior most political office holder in the province, he has a much bigger responsibility to ensure that law, order and justice prevails. If he was insulted, the stage was not the forum to address it. He was a bad example to the children around him. Yet, haven’t we seen similar behavior or worse in parliament when innocent children who come to witness some rare species are entertained from the well of our august assembly?

Latest media reports indicate that the Navy has ordered the Chief Minister out of its camps. Can the commander of the Navy make such an order at the Chief Minister of a province? Who has the authority to make such orders? Has the President, who is in Japan, pressed his command button? What has the Prime Minister done about it, in the absence of the President? What are Hakeem and his party (already in the midst of an internal struggle) going to do? Will the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) rejoice at the prospect of taking over the Chief Ministers office in the Eastern province too?

Nazeer Ahamed

Nazeer Ahamed

Nazeer Ahamed’s violent behavior is not an exception in today’s political culture. We have the leader of the National Freedom Front, Wimal Weerawansa, (who is now demanding the head of the CM) abusing a senior Police officer in front of the United Nations office complex on Baudhaloka Mawatha, literally on the orders of the then Secretary of Defense, or our man with a clean head from Galle Hon. Nishantha Muthuhettigama, storming in to a police station, holds the policemen hostage and takes away one his own from the police cell. Sounds more like the recreation of a scene from a South Indian Tamil movie, isn’t it? The list of offenders (Political thugs) is countless and the impunity that has been offered to these third rate politicians is the cause for the breakdown of values in our society. No concrete action has been taken against these perpetrators and hence, the trend continues. Nazeer Ahamed could well become the guinea pig, and if it means reforming our politicians, so be it. This may have deeper repercussions as Nazeer Ahamed is a Muslim and represents the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress. Will Hakeem and Co. walk out of Yahapalanaya if marching orders are delivered to Nazeer Ahamed?

The political culture that has been bred since the introduction of the 13th amendment to the constitution by the then head of state President J R Jayewardene is probably the root cause for all these violence that has been unleashed with impunity by our elected representatives? The provincial council’s brought in a large number of street fighters to administer the provinces. This was mainly because the elected MPs in the districts didn’t want to breed a set of new politicians at the provincial level who would be a threat to them in future parliamentary elections. So, they chose either their siblings or those who are closest to them – the goon squad, who would remain loyal to their masters until death. The eventual fading away of that older generation of politicians saw the natural entry of these provincial politicians to parliament. Today, we have a large number of them in our august assembly. When we see the parliament today, it is worse than Mariya Kade, or the worst favelas of Rio de Janeiro. Violence has become part of the political culture. Politicians do not have the right to act with impunity, whether it is inside the sanctity of our parliament or outside. Laws should be applied equally to all.

There is an urgent need to bring in legislation to ensure that our elected representatives behave in more civilized ways. The President and Prime Minister, who have up to now maintained decency and decorum in their political history should bring in these changes through the proposed constitutional reform process that would arrest the unscrupulous behavior of our elected representatives.

The Nazeer Ahamed episode in Sampur is even more regrettable because it involved a highly respected former civil servant and a senior member of the armed forces. It is even worse because it happened before an audience of our future leaders – the student population.

It is regrettable that this issue is being politicked and there are serious attempts to drive a wedge between the government and armed forces by the power hungry and joint opposition. The joint opposition has been firing from all sides on the arrest of security forces personal that are suspected of abducting and murdering our media colleague, Ekneligoda. Now, they have got their stinger missiles targeted at the Yahapalana government ally, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress. Communal dices has been cast to create conflict and go back to the days of Ven. Gnanasara’s hate campaign which the former regime sponsored offering them impunity.

Nazeer Ahamed is a politician and does not represent the Muslims as Chief Minister. He is the Chief Minister for the Eastern Province and the government of Sri Lanka has made his appointment. There is absolutely no need for anyone to brand this as a communal issue. Whatever action needs to be taken to discipline the Chief Minister should take its due course.

Sri Lanka needs a new political culture. The civil service needs to get back its pride and bowing down to political dictates must cease. The naval officer was mature and patient enough not to draw his weapon and blow the head off the Chief Minister, but continuing this culture of political thuggery may drive a self respecting security forces officer to draw his weapon and sacrifice his life to save his dignity. (Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un) “Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return”

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Latest comments

  • 9
    0

    What precipitated Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed’s outburst? Was the Naval Officer within his powers to physically prevent the Chief Minister from mounting the stage?

    No amount of provocation justifies the said outburst. Agreed. But, who of the two should have shown better discipline? The Naval Officer, or the politician?

    There is too much of blame to go around. The media should be helpful in arresting the deluge.

    Politicians, particularly those in Sri Lanka, are a different breed of animals. They have quite a thick hide. You don’t expect them to behave, do you.

    As a writer, you have the right to address the issue. However, you don’t have a moral ground to drag in other parties, unnecessarily.

    I do not understand how the question, ‘ Will the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) rejoice at the prospect of taking over the Chief Ministers office in the Eastern province too?’, arises. Don’t they have a right to accept what comes their way. Why will TNA be rejoicing at such a prospect?

    The manner of your expression leaves a lot to be desired. Do yourself a favour. Stay within the limits of journalistic etiquettes. That would be conducive for ethnic harmony.

    • 5
      4

      The Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed is elected by the people of Eastern province. He is having more rights than any of these bloody Sinhala government appointed governor and navy caption. How dare they deny him access to events in his own province and that also a school?

      Hats off to Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed, you are really a brave man. These appointees should apologize for mistreating you. The Northern Province should also act brave like this gentleman.

      The Governors of North & East provinces are acting like ‘Sinhala Viceroys’ all out to lord over the Subjects under their control more than the Elected Representative Chief Ministers of the respective provinces.

      No Wonder Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed had to vent his anger against ‘Sinhala Viceroy’ by reminding him about ‘Protocol’.

      Most of the time this ‘Sinhala viceroy’ is seen with the Sinhala war criminals in uniform to remind others of their Power.

      Well done the Eastern province CM… I respect your courage… ask these jokers to apologize for what they did to you…

  • 7
    2

    My late mother taught me around fifty years ago, to liten carefully when someone says something and says BUT… with a pause.

    Ahmed’s comment on the Eastern province Chief [Edited out] falls in to this category.

    In the opening para he says “He was a bad example to the children around him. Yet,…” and gets on to point out that “is not an exception in today’s political culture”. So two wrongs make a write?

    This is part of the new aggressive Muslim protection racket – that uses the race and racism card to justify it – that is gaining momentum in this country. Izzaith Hussein, Hilmy Ahmed, Fakir Lathief and numerous other Muslims who use this website[Edited out]

  • 4
    3

    cheif minister showed how cheap he is.

    HE is just a weakling who bullys people.

  • 4
    4

    There goes Hilmy again – defending his kind. This bas… who insulted the security forces needs to be removed, with or without hilmy’s help. The Buddhist priests will have to march to the airport when [Edited out] sirisena comes from Japan and demand the immediate removal of this man.

    • 2
      2

      Finally, there goes a Sinhala, probably Buddhist, racist [Edited out]

    • 0
      0

      “who insulted the security forces needs to be removed, with or without hilmy’s help. “

      I was not with Sampanthar when he wanted to interfere in the January 2015 Sinhala Lankawe’s election. I am still so. But, now something makes me to think if that something might have the Sinhalese at least?

      During the Old Royals’ administration the Ayatullah worship was a rule and promoted to practice. With the name of “defense and policing”, there were tyrannies like raping looting, kidnapping, extortion, killings et al. Now it has grown as those criminal praying! Is the gang from the Old Regime is promoting a culture of prayings criminal instead the Ayatullah worship they practised until now? It is an adorable progress on good direction!

      Why a man in the world should not criticize a member of the goons if he is wrong? After all the gangs is listed as Genociders and Rapist by by the IC.

      Some fools are just putting together sentences in English, but have no sense at all what they are doing! Those fool have forgotten when British left the country left it as a secular democracy.

  • 4
    1

    You are wrong. Behavior of politicians in the parliament is among themselves and no one up to date has insulted any uniformed officer or any public servant inside the lobby. you are bold enough to challenge the authority of the Navy Commander to prohibit the so called CM from entering the camps. What authority this CM has got to insult a very senior Armed forces officer in public. Do remember that the CM has no business inside camps. If he has anything to do with the forces his request should be channeled through defense ministry. you are only adding fuel for communal violence and making the forces disturbed over their pride.

    • 0
      0

      “What authority this CM has got to insult a very senior Armed forces officer in public. Do remember that the CM has no business inside camps. If he has anything to do with the forces his request should be channeled through defense ministry.”

      If so then that is the rule for all CMs. Then what is the need for new, extraordinary, special ban on Ahamed Nazeer from entering Camps.

      Lankawe has move out of Ayatollah worship to Satan worship. That’s it.

    • 4
      0

      Ajantha, were you born only yesterday. Just do a google search as to how policemen and army personal have been abused by third rate politicians. Have you forgotten how the Rajapaksas treated the war hero sarath fonseka. He was put in prison jumpers and share the space with hardcore ltte suspects.

  • 7
    0

    Why is everyone overreacting to this morons behaviour? This is only a continuation of what has been practiced since Independence.
    PROUD TO BE SRI LANKAN. LOL

  • 3
    3

    Well, first impression looks bad on the CM. He certainly did the wrong thing with an uncontrolled outburst.

    His position in the province will become untenable without the backing of the military. The reason he was not allowed in camps is for his own safety. So he needs to publicly apologise to the naval officer if he plans to end his career in a positive note.

    There is something nasty brewing in the province. This was just the smoke from that brew. The navy officer unfortunately had to bear the brunt.

    The NE provinces are special. The governors of these provinces have a special duty by the state. That is to realign the renegade provinces with the state.

    When the CM is out of line then the governor needs to meddle and interfere. This is needed in the north where the CM is a complete lunatic.

    The Eastern CM has quietly achieved many things for the province. He is THE DUDE of the province. He needs further encouragement to be THE DUDE of the province.

    Austin Fernando is the wrong guy for the job. I rememberer when he was a defence secretary. He was never in tune with this working environment. The province needs a more intelligent governor.

    • 4
      0

      Vibhushana

      Good to hear from you once again.

      Where you’ve been these few days?

      What/whose voices did you hear in your head while you were away?

      “His position in the province will become untenable without the backing of the military.”

      And you want us to believe in 5 star democracy while you believe the country should be run by 5 star Admirals, 5 star Generals, 5 star Air Marshals, ….

  • 5
    0

    I agree with Hilmy’s statement ” The provincial council’s brought in a large number of street fighters to administer the provinces.” But that is not the complete story.

    Most of the Eastern Provincial Council members elected from TNA are former gun-trotting militant group leaders accused of many murders and disappearances in the East. They come from TELO and EPRLF groups which terrorized not just the Tamils but even the Muslims in the East.

    The behavior of this man Nazeer Ahmed who became Chief Minister thanks to TNA leader Sampathan in front of a foreign diplomat is deplorable. He was attired in a suit but behaved worse than a sarong-clad thug in the presence of the American Ambassador. He should be asked to resign his position as Chief Minister of the Eastern Province.

    • 4
      0

      Well said. But these street fighters are more well behaved than the MP in the Parliament. Say how about the performance of the present Vasu, Dinesh, Wimal & Co. Then there were Silvas of the past.

      Now coming to the point. Why was the navy there in the first place? It is said that navy built the school buildings.Did they build it from there own Money.(Private) .

      Civil Administration is on at Sampur. What has happened to the Police to give protection to the dignitaries.

      What was the need for the ambasosdor in a school function. It is oK if the ambassador’s country footed the Bill. In that event who asked the navy to do the construction.

      These building should have been constructed by the education department chanelled thro the School development Society.

      Or the money channelled thro the Divisonal Secretary. The School. Is it a National School? If not the School comes under the provincial Council.

      Is there a shortage of Masons and Carpenters to do the construction Locally to bring in the Navy.

      It is being said that CM Gate crashed without an invitation. Who sent the invitation. Is it the School or the Navy. What was the School Principal Doing. Was he preparing omelette in the Kitchen? The People in the fore front at this occasion should have been the education Depat Staff and students.

      There are several such questions that begs an answer.

      Levi
      .

  • 2
    1

    Anyone who doesn’t show decorum associated with public office should not be tolerated. Religion, party, ethnicity, even suit, sarong or robe shouldn’t come in the way. So shall we then start with Nazeer Ahamed? It certainly shouldn’t end there. Btw, this incident was not in a camp as some readers have misunderstood. It was in a school, right? Or am I the one who has got it mixed up? Anyway, camp or school, it certainly didn’t behove the CM to behave the way he did. And Hilmy’s right in asking for action to be taken against his outburst.

    • 0
      0

      Fathima, action should be taken against all including the governer. He is senile and needs to be removed immediately. He has used his bloody white teeth charm to get diplomatic posing for his family in London. He was a failed secretary of defense and almost sold teh country to teh Tamil Diaspore. Check his bank account in London and you will know how much he has stolen.

  • 3
    0

    The essence of the story is that the school was occupied by the Navy for a long time and had been handed over for public use recently. A computer laboratory and a science laboratory had apparently been recently built with Navy assistance. This was also an occasion to give some gifts to the poor children and children from women-headed households. All very laudable.

    What soured the whole show was the reaction of the Chief Minister to not being given a helicopter ride and not being accomodated on the dais with the American Ambassador and the Governor. The Navy Officer had a justification to be there because of the recent history of Sampur. He apparently was only trying to clear the way for the CM, with his outstreched arm. The CM mistook this as an attempt to hold him back.

    It was the pricked ego and unrestrained tongue of the CM that was the root cause of this ugly episode.he was a small man in extra-large shoes!

    It is time we give importance to the educated and successful persons in our society, on such occasions,than politicians and officials. I remember the times when such men were invited as Chief Guests and key note speakers to such functions.

    Dr.Rajasigham Narendran

    • 2
      0

      Well said. But these street fighters are more well behaved than the MP in the Parliament. Say how about the performance of the present Vasu, Dinesh, Wimal & Co. Then there were Silvas of the past.

      Now coming to the point. Why was the navy there in the first place? It is said that navy built the school buildings.Did they build it from there own Money.(Private) .

      Civil Administration is on at Sampur. What has happened to the Police to give protection to the dignitaries.

      What was the need for the ambasosdor in a school function. It is oK if the ambassador’s country footed the Bill. In that event who asked the navy to do the construction.

      These building should have been constructed by the education department chanelled thro the School development Society.

      Or the money channelled thro the Divisonal Secretary. The School. Is it a National School? If not the School comes under the provincial Council.

      Is there a shortage of Masons and Carpenters to do the construction Locally to bring in the Navy.

      It is being said that CM Gate crashed without an invitation. Who sent the invitation. Is it the School or the Navy. What was the School Principal Doing. Was he preparing omelette in the Kitchen? The People in the fore front at this occasion should have been the education Depat Staff and students.

      There are several such questions that begs an answer.

      Levi
      .

    • 2
      2

      Dear Narendran

      Please let me know if the construction was done at the personnal expense of the Navy. If they were constructor’s. Their positionis like any other contractor and his team and not on the Stage.

      You say that the navy Vacated and handed over the School to the Civilians.
      i am sure you dont conduct the Home coming party of every new born child in your profession. You admit and house single patiant into your Hospital and issue Discharge certificate to more than and send then home. Your duty ends there.

      That School comes under the Provincial Education Ministry. It Was the Chief Minister of the province Elected by the people who was almost bodily thrown out/prevented from mounting the Stage.

      I agree educated people should be accommodated. I too as an octogenarian remember the Good old days. Bthe ut you seem to believe that the office who stood on the dias and try to duty, prevent A Chief Minister ascending, is much more educated than the audience.

      Why was the Navy there in the first place after handing over the School. Where is the Police? what were they doing. Does the Ministry of education so short of educated pople take up the role of the compere. The Navy Officer Could have been odog nly be there attending the function as a guest like the Governor, CM etc.

      The ‘ Whole Fault in the Society is that the half a century of emergency rule has made every one to believe in that every individual has different functions to perform under civil rule and that people will react when it is usurped.

      Please remember Dogs must do Dogs duty. If an Donkey tries to Do Dogs Duty It will get through. So is the Army, Navy, Police, Educationists, Doctors, Engineers, Sociologist, Polititions Scavangers Etc.

      Levi

  • 1
    0

    Levi,

    Here is link to details as seen from the perspectives of the CM the Navy and the Governor, which will provide you some answers:
    http://www.dailymirror.lk/110079/Eastern-Province-Chief-loses-his-cool-Whose-protocol-got-out-of-hand-

    It appears the word army has been used by mistake instead of navy.

    Further, even in Jaffna the senior army officers from the nearby camps are invited for functions, on the basis of friendships or assistance they have provided in the past. They usually attend in uniform and accompanied by their aides.

    Recently, on a request the land around a temple was cleaned by soldiers, before the festival.

    Yet, to save labour costs the Masons, carpenters, electricians and laborers in the armed forces help in public construction work. They are also skilled and efficient.

    The armed forces coming forward to help a community should be welcome, if it helps to rebuild relationships and mutual trust. Sampur has been just been taken away from the armed forces’ especially the navy, after much effort by the present government. The community that is settling in, yet has to live with the Navy around. This is a reality they have to deal with for some time. It is likely that a navy camp will be always in the vicinity.

    It is probably yet a delicate situation in Sampur and dealt with sensitivity.

    There should not be space for boorishness in public life.

    Dr.RN

  • 3
    0

    A petty unaccomplished low educated typical Sri Lankan politician. Full of hot air trying to show off in front of the new Viceroy of Ceylon affable Indian American Keshap ji who is butting in and showing his own ego every chance he could get at every frikking opening even if US had nothing to do with this project. The military, in particular the Navy had as a role. As for declaring bases persona non grata for this cheap minister Ahmed, it was ordered by Secretary of Defence. He gave that ordered Ahmed Nazir is like Wimal Weerey or Mervyn Silva, doctor.

    No difference. He is just a petty man whose name was barely known outside EP. Now him trying to show off to Keshap got him well deserved egg on his nogging, figuratively.

    The navy officer displayed class. Nazir displayed total lack of it.

    • 2
      2

      What the fuck naval officer in civil function in which Provincial head under whom school come under is present to control him. Naval officer should get permission from CM to enter the school. Does the Naval thinks he is Gestapo of Nazi Germany to interfere in civil Administration. Does the press and the Simshala racist think they are occupation army that can control Provincial Administration. Then it is high time to start another armed struggle.

  • 0
    3

    The problem with Sri Lankan politics is that the forces have been brought to kneel before politicians. Today, the Naval commander of the Eastern province has been recalled and another appointed. Is it because he could not control his ratings or the declaration that the CM cannot enter any navy camp. The satanic SOB CM needs to be undressed in public, but that does not mean that the Navy could dictate its terms to the political leadership. Next time, it would be the PM or the President that they declare as persona non grata, and may want to keep them out of naval camps.

    Just because they fought valiantly to rid the scrooge of terrorism, it does not mean that they can enforce their brutal laws against the political leadership. Let us ensure that we do not go in to a military dictatorship

  • 3
    1

    Upul Jayasuriya

    “Let us ensure that we do not go in to a military dictatorship”

    In the thirty or so years the armed forces have slowly and steadily established themselves as another stakeholder in the political power structure of this island. They would want to have a say in running of the country, poke their nose into every aspect of civilian life.

    Soon you could see this island turning into little Pakistan and Pakistani military establishment would have no qualms supporting the process.

    It was a time when armed forces were subordinate to the civilian government. Now they expect the civilian government to be the extension of the armed forces.

    The recent Samaraweera- General Gallage verbal exchange (Feb 2016) is a typical example of things to come.

  • 3
    1

    The chief minister of eastern province should be sacked immediately for oinking at the war hero.

    Why was such a higher CM post given to A MUSLIM in the Buddhist country? SL Muslim’s spiritual leader Ashroff bulldozed the ancient Buddhist archaeological sites in the Eastern province, also he was the father of Muslim extremism in Sri Lanka. Muhudu Maha vihara had more than 300 acres now left 7 acres or so, Deegavapiya was almost destroyed.

    Nazeer’s oink burst at the navy officer marks that Muslim terrorism is officially landed in SL.

    The good thing was it happened in front of the American ambassador, now the ambassador will tell the American government that Sri Lanka needs to be saved from Muslims.

    • 2
      1

      David

      Are you being serious?

      Navy should be patrolling the shores and seas of this island, not building lab, ….. toilets, …. If the navy doesn’t want to do what is expected of them (chasing the bottom-trawlers), arresting them and protecting the shores,then we should abolish the navy completely and start a building contractors business.

    • 2
      1

      F U David. We Muslims have the same right as your Buddhist Asse. Why are you pushing us to side with left of tigers and promote separatism. Don’t we have the right to live as equal citizens. You Buddhism thrived because prince vijaya came from India and married a mermaid. If you want to believe that history, then our country belongs to the Veddah’s and you too don’t have any right if you want to stick to your F….ing argument.

      • 0
        0

        Idiot fazeel Hussain, where the hell are you from???

        —“You Buddhism thrived because prince vijaya came from India and married a mermaid.”—

        Idiot fazeel Hussaian, was Vijaya a Buddhist?, did he marry a mermaid? do you know who’s a mermaid? First, Learn the SL’s history! Stop hanging around Muslim extremist run Madrasas!!!

        Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country, just as Britain is a Christian country, India is a Hindu country, Pakistan is a Muslim Country,etc, so Muslims don’t have the same rights and privileges as Buddhist in SL.

        Besides, where the hell were you people when LTTE terrorist kicking you ass all over the place? your people couldn’t be bothered to join the army and fight the terrorist but now theses crazy Muslims have gone to Middle East to join with ISIS and fight for Caliphate hell.

        So, Muslims are given a green stripe on the national flag which they don’t deserve, and which they haven’t earned.

        • 0
          1

          Thaveedu

          “Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country,”

          Since when?

  • 2
    0

    This is not a muslim issue and most comments are targeting the Muslim community for the actions of a politician who has been condemned by the majority of the Muslims. So, let us take a step back and look at it rationally. There is no question, Nazeer Ahamed should apologize. The navy has to apologize to the Chief Minister (where his tip has been cut or not) The armed forces too will have to apologise for the quick decision to ban him from any camps. They have no right to make that decision. It could be taken only by the president. Further, Chief Minister enjoys absolute power (like the president over the country) as per the 13th amendment. If the forces can put the ban on the Chief Minister, they can ban the President and PM too. The armed forces have no executive powers. We do not live under a military dictatorship. Let us not forget that.

    They may have saved the country from terrorism, and we are all grateful for it, but they have no business in civilian affair’s

  • 1
    0

    Devolution has totally failed. We have a northern CM who is calling for seperation and we have an eastern CP insulting our servicemen. A tiny country as ours can esily be managed by the central government. Its time to throw the 13th in to the dustbin

    • 0
      0

      Sajith Perera

      “Devolution has totally failed.”

      Was there devolution in the first place for it to fail?

      “We have a northern CM who is calling for seperation”

      Did he? Could you cite evidence.

      “A tiny country as ours can esily be managed by the central government.”

      Of course you are right. Then why couldn’t the country manage itself with its centralized powers in the previous 60 years? Are you saying the country has been run/managed by the two CMs since 1948?

  • 0
    0

    Dear Mr. Hilmy Ahamed,

    You said the Chief Minister has a much bigger responsibility to ensure that law, order and justice prevails.

    The fact is that the CM does not have any power to ensure law, order and justice in the province. That is what the people in the North and East are crying for. Only the Governor has the power you mentioned in reality. That is the route cause of this problem. The said incident is a symptom of that problem. Don’t you think so?

    May be CM Naseer learned from our parliament thugs they even assault each other inside the parliament!!!

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