THE YEAR JUST GONE BY

The year 2012 which has just gone by unfortunately witnessed more Downs than Ups. What with price increases of many consumer goods – especially sharp ones when it came to diesel, petrol and gas – coupled with contaminated oil which damaged countless number of vehicles for which as usual no one has been made responsible or accountable.


We were treated to several spectacles such as the Museum robbery where a culprit has now been nabbed leaving doubts in people’s minds as to how one sole thief took so many artefacts just like a petty thief in a village stealing a bunch of bananas in the night. We also witnessed the burning down of a section of the Colombo Kachcheri destroying valuable documents which has now been established as an arson attack by an interested party.

In the field of education, we were unfortunate enough to see the Z-score muddle and the leaking of examination papers on various occasions thus making the students lose their confidence on the whole system of education – but nevertheless the same set of ministers remain as if nothing serious has happened.

Sadly, the cases of minor girls getting raped by local government politicians belonging to the ruling party went on the increase, but no concrete action appears to have been taken to put a stop to this menace and even the PS Chairman of down South who killed a foreign UN volunteer and gang-raped his fiancé have still not been given due punishment due to political influence.

In the field of sports, although we failed to clinch the twenty-twenty World Cup, we had our own cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara being honoured at the ICC awards and then he himself achieving the feat of 10,000 test runs : the only achievements in the year gone by that we can be proud of as a nation in the face of all enveloping gloom.

World attention is now focused on us due to the controversial Impeachment motion against the Chief Justice and the lowly conduct of the Select Committee members– an episode we should have really avoided in the current context of the country already getting a bad name within the international community.

But, still, all is not gloomy : we have now established a sort of a world record with the most number of hits on Google search engine for the elusive word called “Sex” – and this in spite of advice given by a very loyal, patriotic minister asking the citizens to refrain from using Google!

PEOPLE'S RIGHTS AND PEOPLE'S WILL

In the ongoing battle between the legislature and the judiciary, the Parliament claims primacy and authority on the basis that it is the representative of the people, i.e. the repository of sovereignty as emblazoned in our Constitution. In a country of 21 million, eligible voters total some 6 million and out of this, say, only 50-60% use their ballot, and if a governing party gets slightly above 50% of these votes, then the percentage drops to a mere 10% or so. It is this percent age of people that the members of parliament claim have given them the supremacy to do whatever they feel is right for the total population of the country. Adding insult to injury, the present government also claims a two-third majority thus giving itself a licence to ridicule the judiciary and its occupants. In fact, this so called two-third majority is an ill-gotten one through horse-trading – and there again, it does not reflect the actual will of the people who exercised their democratic right to cast their votes to opposition political parties. In fact, this is a massive travesty of justice legalized by a friendly ex-Chief Justice.


Further, when one carefully looks at the characters of those who got elected to the Parliament by whatever means, one cannot help but notice that most of them are a degenerate and depraved lot – hardly the material one would call “law makers”. A more appropriate description would be clowns or jokers who are adept at telling all sorts of lies and providing unlimited free entertainment to the gallery, while at the same time fattening their pockets through various means – mostly illegal. For instance, one is fully justified in questioning as to how many of those Ministers and MPs now making a hue and cry about financial dealings and declarations of assets of the Chief Justice and sitting in judgement over her, have in fact complied with that requirement and how many can provide reasonable explanations as to how they came to be millionaires and billionaires overnight. In fact, it is worthwhile investigating as to how those who could not even afford a push bicycle not so long ago, are now owning luxury cars and even going to get down racing cars for themselves and their family members.

Sadly, the terms “People’s rights” and “People’s will” are nothing but gibberish in our context.

WHO OWNS THIS COUNTRY?

Just a few days back, our Minister of Disaster Management, Mahinda Amaraweera, was seen driving on the wrong side of the road up Bauddhaloka Mawatha, damaging another vehicle and subsequently threatening the female passenger of the damaged car for taking pictures of the accident scene, whilst a policeman stood in the middle of the road and observed the whole incident nonchalantly. Some goons of the Minister then entered the scene and threatened the lady and grabbed her camera. One of the goons then occupied the driver’s seat claiming that he was the one driving the vehicle and the Minister then went away – all the while the cop just standing and pretending not to have seen the incident. A passing three-wheel driver who observed the whole incident muttered: “this is what happens when one votes for animals” – which in one sentence summarized the very precarious situation the whole country is in. When the new IGP took over, one of his lofty ideals was to clean up and improve the Police service and when one witnesses this sort of incidents, one can easily surmise to what extent he has succeeded!


There are enough media reports of the so called “doctor” Minister Mervyn Silva threatening and tying government officials to trees and decreeing that in his fiefdom of Kelaniya, he will not permit the sale of beef and chicken, and sometimes back he even announced that he will ban bringing in vegetables to Kelaniya as he wanted every one living in his electorate to grow at least one vegetable in their gardens!

One wonders if this particular minister owns that part of the country which he claims to represent because if such prohibitions are to be implemented – most probably due to the ushering of a Dharma Raajya – then such bans should apply to the whole country, because as far as we know there is only one government in this country.

With all this talk of Kings and royal families with crown princes, and the ordinary people in their foolishness believing that the whole granary and treasury belongs to the King and his family as in the days of the ancient Sinhala kings, the inevitable question that arises is : Who owns this country?

THE AGE OF CHIVALRY IS NO MORE

There was a recent report that a women’s rights organization had written a letter to the Speaker of the Parliament condemning the use of vulgar and sexist language uttered by ministers and parliamentarians against the Chief Justice, which in fact is tantamount to sexual harassment.


In fact, the Chief Justice is not the only victim of such degenerative sexism. The electronic and print media is full of reports of vulgar and sexist statements made against women parliamentarians and activists by the politicians. It was just recently that Minister Kumar Welgama made sexist comments on UNP MP and former Mrs. World, Rosie Senanayake inside the august assembly itself. Minister Mervyn Silva, who has been conferred with a ministry called “Public Relations” continues to use vulgar language – both inside and outside the parliament – against the Chief Justice. In fact, this particular minister, during a televised talent show made very dirty remarks against a female contestant referring to her anatomy suggestive of the act of “suckling” – this contestant also being a member of parliament. These remarks were seen live by many viewers, including children. One can just imagine what examples such ministers are giving to the public as to their upbringing. Wimal Weerawansa is another minister who, during the PSC sittings, used derogatory remarks such as “mad woman” and other sexual innuendo against the CJ.

Media is full of reports of local UPFA politicians who sexually assault young and minor girls and go scot free using their political clout. In fact, one such local government politician even celebrated a “century” of rapes as if it is a world record. Even foreign women had not been spared as in what happened in Tangalle where a local UPFA politician not only murdered her partner but also subjected the lady to gang rape.

In neighbouring India, a politician is reported to have said that rape is just like bad weather and since one cannot do much about it, the best thing is to relax and en joy while it lasts!. From the way things are going, our politicians too seem to be trying to emulate that Indian politician or even trying to do better.

Sadly, in this country, the age of chivalry is a relic of the past.

VULGAR PATRIOTISM

The recently concluded Colombo Night Car races no doubt provided enough thrills and fun to the miniscule section of the “nouveau riche” population who have little else to do. At the same time, the post event show provided enough titillation to the senses of the fun seekers by way of a vulgar skin show by some East European dancers.


What is really surprising is that so far no voice has been raised by any of those super-patriots who scream day in and night out about “international conspiracies” and erosion of cultural values due to foreign influence. Neither have the religious organizations such as Bodu Bala Sena who make a hue and cry of “conversions” from one religion to another uttered a word against this latest attempt to “convert” a nation with a 2500-years proud culture to the vulgar, semi-naked culture of the Europeans – never mind, western or eastern.

And then we have the MP monks of the “Hela Karumaya” who protested vigorously against some foreign artistes and their shows on account of their personal behaviour and alien culture thus putting a stop to such shows and even organizing violent acts against some entertainers; now observing deadly silence against this X-rated vulgar exhibitionism by some cheap dancers in the presence of families with children.

It is a real shame that those who claim exclusive patent rights to patriotism and those who have pledged to usher in a “Dharma Raajya” are hiding their heads in the sand and behavimg like the monkeys who see no evil, lest they offend the sensibilities of the King and the Clown Princes for whose benefit these vulgar shows are staged.

With the soon to be opened Casino Zone and with it the inevitable invasion of more East Europeans for many other forms of vulgar activities, one wonders if this is the Miracle of Asia that has been promised to us.

It is not for nothing that Samuel Johnson once said “Patriotism is the last resort of the scoundrel”

VISITORS FROM OUTER SPACE

During the past few days, one was able to see in the media several reports of aliens from outer space attempting to visit our country and some other strange phenomenon.


Some people reported strange lights coming from the sky whilst some others reported meteors hitting the earth, with some people even producing sample pieces of meteorites.

Then there was the other strange happening of Red Rain which still baffles the authorities. Close on the heels came the rain of dead fish!

With all this talk of the world going to end in a couple of days based on the Mayan’s Calendar, these strange happenings have baffled many. But as any sensible person would know, world is not going to end so soon whatever the doomsday prophets may say.

Now, all of a sudden, the locals are seriously talking of UFOs and other terrestrial creatures which brings to one’s memory a very popular Sinhala song of the eightees titled “Kurumitto” by the music group “Gypsies”

As some wags commented, these extra-terrestial creatures are interested in studying our system of government which is a quasi-dictatorship garbed in a façade of democracy and which is soon due to be declared the “Miracle of Asia”. As the old saying goes, we do impossibilities today and miracles take place tomorrow!

Another wag commented that the reason for the government to increase the price of fuel all of a sudden, even when there is no increase in world market prices, is to deter these ETs coming in their flying dishes to fill their tanks here with our super-quality petrol at cheap prices.

One more school of opinion says that the ETs are here with the intention of kidnapping the members of our PSC who have done such a marvellous job in world record time, so that they can examine their brains and use them to get similar work done in outer space.

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN

With Christmas fast approaching, it is the Season of Goodwill and giving, with most people waiting eagerly for some presents from Santa Claus! So, politicians should not be an exception as they have many needs.


Here is a wish list taking into consideration the current political scenario:

For President Rajapakse : a cure for his phobia of women (Chandrika, Anoma, Shirani)

For the UNP Leader, Ranil: power to be the UNP leader for life time

For Minister Weerawansa: a permanent cure for the supposed to be incurable disease called “verbal diarrhea”

For “doctor” Mervin Silva: to be officially anointed as King of Kelaniya with Lamborghini racing cars for himself and his family members

For Minister Dilan Perera: powers to at least order some buffalos to do his bidding

For crown prince Namal: to conduct night races every night in all parts of the country

For Sarath Fonseka: ability to retain whoever is still left in his party

For Sarath Silva: ability to get back into the good books of the president even at the expense of betraying the legal fraternity

For Sajith Premadasa: strength to challenge the leader and be the presidential candidate next time

For Maithripala Sirisena: Ability to exercise his powers as General Secretary of SLFP to take disciplinary action against at least one wayward member of the party without interference from the top

For Susil Premajayantha: the ability to “hedge” the ill-effects of the “hedging” deal

For Ratnasiri Wickremanayake: to be the Prime Minister once again and avoid the derogatory term of “Gedera Yana Gamang”

And finally, to the citizens of this country:

Wherewithal to at least afford one good meal in a day

Merry Christmas to all!

OF JOKERS, CLOWNS AND COURT JESTERS

The decision of the Chief Justice, Shirani Bandaranaike, to write to the Speaker of the Parliament through her lawyers reporting the abuse and embarrassment caused to her by 2 Ministers of the government who served in the PSC, is to say the least very commendable and timely. Bolstered with the predetermined judgement of the PSC to find the Chief Justice guilty of the charges, these two Ministers were hell-bent on proving their allegiance and loyalty to their Boss in no uncertain terms – just like pet canines do for their master.


Minister Weerawansa, the ex-JVPer, who may have conducted many “kangaroo style” trials of wayward young boys and girls during the hey days of the JVP struggle and also “sentenced” some of them to instant death, may have thought of this committee inquisition too as one of those trials to show his ability to shout and intimidate the “suspects”. They say that little learning is very dangerous and one cannot surely expect any better behavior from such a character, who, as most of the people in the country know, is suffering from an incurable disease called “Verbal Diahorrea” . He has also the unfortunate tendency to give overtime to his mouth when his brain is sleeping (which is most of the time!)

The other Minister, Dilan Perera, is no better when it comes to verbal abuse of his opponents and in this committee, they formed a formidable duo in winning the trophy for the person with the most ability to insult and embarrass.

One waits with abated breath to know the reaction of the Speaker of the Parliament to this complaint against government MPs and one would hope and pray that the Speaker would not, in this instance too, invoke the “supremacy” of the Parliament and defend the uncouth behavior of the two Ministers by decreeing that outside parties have no right or authority to interfere in to the affairs of the elected MPs and it is entirely upto them to behave in any dastardly manner they consider fit within and outside the august assembly, as they are duly elected representatives of the “sovereign people”.

IT'S A "POL MESS" NOW

The announcement of the President the other day that he wants to appoint an “independent committee” to study the Select Committee report on the Impeachment of the Chief Justice came as a bit of surprise as the government side has always been maintaining the supremacy of the legislature and its unquestionable powers to take any action against the judiciary as per the Constitution.


Now the moot point is if the Select Committee proceedings have been conducted strictly as per the Constitution, then why is the need for an “independent committee” to review its decisions, as envisaged by the President, which leaves many questions unanswered, rather than offering a way out of this imbroglio.

Where is the provision in the Constitution to appoint an “independent committee” to review the decisions of a Parliamentary Select Committee appointed by the Speaker under powers vested in him as per the Constitution?

Why is the sudden need for such an independent committee unless of course the President does not have any faith in either the Select Committee members who are mostly his own cabinet ministers or else on the MPs who initially signed the petition against the Chief Justice – all those MPs also belonging to his own political party.

Now it is obvious that the President himself feels that something is wrong somewhere as to the manner in which those entrusted with the responsibility have carried out their tasks, with reports of even a couple of Ministers using unparliamentary language against the Chief Justice who belongs to the fair sex, in a male dominated committee, which just goes to show the uncouth nature of some of those who call themselves cabinet ministers. It would be interesting to see how the proposed “independent committee” would handle the issue and if they would have the courage to recommend disciplinary action against the ministers who misbehaved with the lady Chief Justice.

After all, it would be a Himalayan task for the committee, provided one can find a thoroughly independent person or persons to constitute this committee given the highly charged political atmosphere in the country.

"HUNGER GAMES"

Our politicians, most of whom are guilty of the Seven Deadly Sins, now seem to be more addicted to a particular sin, i.e. Gluttony.


Judging by the way the Members of Parliament from both divides are clamouring to satisfy their limitless taste buds at subsidized rates on tax payers’ account, in addition to enjoying all sorts of luxuries as part of their emoluments, is to say the least an utter shame on that august institution. Whilst one demands Beef, another one demands Pork and one member of the fair sex wants to enhance her beauty by indulging in honey and flakes – all at ridiculously subsidized prices which really amounts to mocking at the less privileged who are fighting tooth and nail on a daily basis just to earn a pittance barely enough to buy some bread and “parippu” for their daily meal.

If these privileged members of the parliament have different or highly sophisticated taste buds than the ordinary public and have a “dola duka” to indulge in exotic foods such as pork, ham, bacon or even venison – that is none of our business as long as they pay for such stuff just like the other people in the country do. What one cannot comprehend is what rights these so called “servants of the people” have to eat off the pockets of the poor public of the country.

One should not also forget that these unfortunate members of the public are forced to take a parcel of a modest rice and curry to their workplace for lunch and to prepare that, their spouses have to get up even before the cock crows.

What is really funny is that after partaking of thoroughly subsidized food, one minister has the audacity to suggest that an amount of Rs. 2,500.- is sufficient for one person to live for a month in this country and another minister is measuring the daily increasing cost of living based on the cost of a Bulath Vita!

KING “KEKILLE” AND “ANDARE” ARE ALIVE AND KICKING

Recent events have proved beyond doubt that we have in our midst reborn King Kekille and Andare to show that History repeats itself!



The Kangaroo court verdict given against General Fonseka smacks of shades of King Kekille and now with the hilarious ex-parte conclusion of the Parliamentary Select Committee against the Chief Justice it has shown once again that King Kekille is alive and kicking.

With an over-enthusiastic electronic and print media disseminating loads of disinformation and propaganda, King Kekille is given a new lease of life not even dreamt of by him in his previous births.

Some of us have heard of the classic tale of how King Kekille punished an innocent by-stander by getting him crushed by his royal elephant for a totally unrelated incident of a house being collapsed killing its occupants. Pretty soon, we might even hear of a modern version of such a judgement from his current reborn “avatar”.

Although “Kavata Andare” was a very innocent and genuine Royal Jester who kept his King and Queen entertained with his harmless antics ; the modern day Andare is a vicious character who somehow manages to keep his King in good spirits with his countless antics. Among some of the classic antics is how he tied a government servant to a tree and got that same person to admit that he himself asked for it! And then he showed to the whole country what a classic joker he is during his visit to the television station Rupavahini sometime back.

And so, in these days where everybody is talking of a King and a Royal Family, it is not surprising that some of these historic characters have thought of being born in this land to reprise their roles.

PUPPETS ON A STRING

It was William Shakespeare who once said : “the whole world is a stage and we are all actors on it”


In the fifties and sixties, the general public were enthralled with way-side puppet shows staged by famous craftsmen from down South and people of all ages really enjoyed these shows during various carnivals and Vesak celebrations where another type of characters called “Olu Bakkos” too entertained the crowds.

Of late, these shows have gone into decline due to the emergence of another breed of characters called political jokers who have now taken over the entire stage and started entertaining the common people. These characters are indeed versatile in performing monkey dances, acrobatics, long jumps, high jumps etc. in addition to noise pollution with their screaming voices.

Noteworthy among these characters are some Ministers of the government who occupy prominent places in the country due to their versatility in these performances. However, none can beat the antics of one particular minister who claims to be a direct descendant of King Dutugemunu, although he has a Portuguese surname. His antics are well recorded such as the beating and sewerage treatment he got from employees of Rupavahini; his act of tying a government servant to a tree; general hulabaloo he creates whenever he attends a public function such as riding bikes without helmets. He has now assumed a new role for himself – that of making babies for those who were not lucky enough to become parents!

One wonders if there is a head of the government in this country because there seems to be not even a whimper of a warning for this joke of a Minister to stop polluting the atmosphere of the country. Instead, he is also allowed to function in multiple roles as Palace Joker, “Duk Gannna Raala” and chief “Dhobi” to clean dirty linen etc.

It is time to change Shakespeare’s words : “The whole country is a stage and all politicians are actors on it, with the ordinary people being mere spectators”

THE FLYING WHITE ELEPHANTS

It has not come as shocking news to many that the so called Budget Airline called Mihin Air has already incurred a loss of 2 billion rupees and that its accumulated loss so far since inception in 2007 is 8.5 billion rupees. To add insult to injury, the annual remunerations paid to the Directors have increased to 11 million rupees – an increase of 4.9 million rupees from the previous year!


The sole purpose of establishing this airline was to boost the ego of the President whose name now adorns newly constructed Ports, Stadiums, Schools, Villages and what not, a la certain old eastern bloc countries where personality cult had almost become a religion. The joke that time was that this venture was likened to a man who had bought a three-wheeler and kept it in his house for personal travels of his family but rented it out when it is free. But, now it appears that even foreign jaunts of the President and his entourage are done not with Mihin but with Sri Lankan airlines by chartering one of their aircrafts. But the so called budget airline continues to fly at great losses to the nation. A flight to Dubai has recently been cancelled several times and ticket monies refunded to the passengers at a loss to the airline.

The Chaiman of both airlines who happens to be the brother in law of the President continues to get an emolument of Rs. 5 lakhs from each airline!

Among other white elephants are the building in New York bought by the Central Bank for a whopping US Dollars 5,075,000.- and the infamous Hedging Deal of the Petroleum Corporation for which not a single culprit has been punished.

The politicians who are behind these white elephants have given new meanings to the phrases “This Land belongs to us” and “Ahasa Apey (the sky is ours)” whilst the common man has to look upto the sky and see the stars (and pretty soon the Satellite with our flag!)

BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY

Now, the vain-glorious battle for supremacy between the legislature and the judiciary is on full swing with the whole world watching this drama undertaken by the Government of Sri Lanka whose main objective is to take revenge from the Chief Justice who delivered independent judgements which went against some of the provisions of`certain Bills brought in by the Government as urgent ones. Whilst there is no doubt that the judicial decisions have been strictly in accordance with interpretation of the Constitutional provisions, the Government too is making a hue and cry that the Impeachment of Chief Justice is also in accordance with the Constitution.


Whatever the outcome of this ugly saga, it will only result in bringing disrepute to the country as well as creating another hero(ine) just like they did with General Fonseka who was even imprisoned to “teach him a lesson” for opposing the powers that be.

Just the other day, Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera of JHU – a constituent partner of the government – expressed his opinion on the Executive Presidency saying that since all citizens are equal under the law, it is necessary to make the Executive President too to be under the law – and not above the law - of the land with the President at the same time being answerable to the Parliament as well. He went on to say that the President should also not hold ministerial positions except for the Ministry of Defence. Sound advice, indeed, coming from a member of a political party affiliated to the UPFA government.

There is nothing called absolute power and those who signed for the resolution against the Chief Justice and those who now sit on judgement, might do well to read the following well known poem by Martin Niemooller, a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.

SAFE-GUARDING THE GUARDS

After almost 30 years, we have once again witnessed a much worse jail riot – which had all the trappings of a deadly war. Hundreds or thousands of hardcore criminals took over Welikada maximum security prison, even going to the extent of seizing the armoury, and crack commandos had been brought into action to quell the dangerous situation.


From the way the more adventurous hardcore jail-birds behaved in getting ready for a life & death situation, gave one the feeling that this had been a well-orchestrated incident with obvious backing and help from inside, with possibly even advance notice being given to the prisoners by their guards.

It is a well known fact that there are errant guards in cahoots with drug czars and underworld kingpins serving sentences inside the jail. It is also known that these elements are running a separate underworld inside the walls of the jail armed with several mobile phones and other facilities directing their usual operations including kidnappings and killings from within the jail. So, obviously both the corrupt guards and the prisoners resist any search operations being carried out inside the jail.

Respecting prisoners’ rights as humans is one thing, but allowing convicted criminals and their uniformed associates to run the prisons according to their whims and fancies should definitely not be allowed.

If the culprits are allowed to continue committing those very crimes for which they were convicted by the courts in the first place, once inside the tall walls as “guests of the government” paid for by the public, whilst also safeguarding their flourishing illegal businesses with the connivance of corrupt government officers who are also paid with public funds, then it is far more better to dismantle this whole system of jailing offenders and use that money for something more productive.

BUDGET "BLUES"

If nothing else, the just presented Budget for 2013 will definitely hasten our “race” to become the “Miracle of Asia” –what with reduced duties on Racing Cars – which for an ordinary man would sound like the least important thing for this country. Further with an increased allocation of 60 million rupees for the Tamasha called “Deyata Kirula” the extravaganza clearly seems to have been introduced as a Bonanza for the Presidential Off-springs whose main hobby seems to be conducting night races in all parts of the country wasting the resources such as electricity.


As usual there is absolutely no benefit provided in the budget for those who toil in various foreign countries and remit valuable foreign exchange which in turn is used extravagantly by all sorts of politicians and their hangers on – including the Royal Astrologer! – to import luxuries such as SUVs etc. racing around the country – even killing pedestrians.

The so called “housing loan” of a few hundred-thousands offered to “foreign workers” at 10% interest is, to say the least, a big sham and insult.

As far as the allocation for Education is concerned, the Minister of Higher Education is on record having said that the government has always allocated more than 5% of GDP for education but we can see from the Budget that the allocation is going to be increased to 4.1% of the GDP – so, undoubtedly, as usual the Minister has been “economical with the truth”!

Although nothing is mentioned in the Budget, the day is not far away when petrol and diesel prices will go up heaping further burdens on the already suffering populace.

It is a pity that the President as the Minister of Finance has not thought it fit to reduce the Jumbo cabinet and various luxurious perks associated with it, which would have helped in no small measure to reduce the gap and provide more benefits to the ordinary man on the street.

Whatever it is, with foreign liquor going out of the reach of ordinary citizens, it is hoped that locally tapped toddy will be available in plenty so that we can all be reminded of the very popular song of C.T. Fernando “ Maame, Mage Sudu Maame – Raa podiyak dee, Maa Sanasanne”.

"LOW & ODOUR" IN THE PARADISE (of fools)

Of late, this so called paradise island has witnessed really funny incidents (in actual fact, very sad happenings) when it comes to law and order in the country.


• A government official being tied to a tree by a Minister who professes to hold a “doctorate” and the victim, under duress, admitting that he asked himself to be tied to the tree!

• An Army major being assaulted by some minors – who happen to be offsprings of government ministers - and the matter being dismissed as a “minor” issue when the Major himself admitted that the culprits did not assault him.

• A government MP who is suspected to be involved in the murder of a member of the same government party now claiming he has lost all his memory (but retaining the memory to claim the salary from the Parliament whilst keeping away on officially sanctioned leave)

• Several elderly women and their daughters being killed in pairs in a village in Sabaragamuwa Province by a close associate of a senior minister of the government and the killing spree still continuing even in spite of STF camps being established in the area.

• Chairmen and members of Provincial Councils having a gala time raping under-age girls and even celebrating records of “centuries” with even government ministers attending those celebrations.

And now, the Chief Justice herself is under an impeachment for not toeing the line of the Executive. The moot point here as to how the Members of Parliament who drafted and signed this motion got hold of the bank account details of the Chief Justice in the absence of a court order. This obviously is an ugly trend where an ordinary MP could go into the bank accounts of any citizen whilst they themselves earn dirty commissions and black money which are deposited in foreign accounts and of which there are no declarations as such.

“The trouble with the laws these days is that criminals know their rights better than their wrongs”

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

According to a recent news item, pesticides had been found in a “Kohila” curry which was to be served in the Parliament canteen and serious concerns had been expressed by the Speaker himself, going to the extent of suggesting that the “food tasters” should first check the food before being served to the Honourable Valuable Members of Parliament to avoid any sort of disaster happening to them.


Whilst nobody will dispute the fact that “Kohila” with its nutritional qualities especially as a cure for those with uncontrollable sudden anger is the most appropriate dish for our hard-working peoples’ representatives, pesticide is completely another issue which needs to be seriously gone into. One might argue that even pest control is a necessity when it comes to driving away pests – but that is entirely another issue!

Now the moot point is who actually cares for the general public who are forced to eat all sorts of vegetables, including Kohila, grown in various nooks and corners with all the attendant germs, worms etc. which comes as a total package albeit at a heavy price as well. The poor consumers are forced to buy whatever is available in the market to suit their purses and eat whatever they cook just to fill their stomachs for the day. Perhaps, the ordinary folks have by now grown immune to germs etc. and have no time or inclination to go into such matters as pesticides used by the growers to keep the pests away. Food Tasters is a luxury they cannot even afford to dream of !

Perhaps, the Honourable MPs should also seriously consider bringing a “buth packet” from home – what with an army of servants at home – just like our ordinary office worker whose wives have to get up at the break of dawn to prepare the lunch parcel.

But then, when one thinks of the heavily subsidized prices at which the rich meals are served to the so called “servants of the people” how could they even dream of bringing a home-made “buth packet” – because, they, more than anybody else know the real cost of living!

THE DEMISE OF DEMO-CRAZY

In the late sixties, citizens of this country woke up to read a strange Obituary in a newspaper which announced the tragic death of one Mr. D.E.M.O’Crazy, loving father of T. Ruth and beloved husband of Justicia who died under tragic circumstances, cortege leaving villa “Anduru Wela”.


They say that history has a habit of repeating : first as a comedy and then as a tragedy. Now it is time for tragedy to envelope this country – significantly under another government of the same ilk as in the sixties where they almost buried our age old tradition of Democracy, free will and justice to all.

It is pretty obvious even to the uninitiated that this indecent haste in bringing up an Impeachment Motion against the Chief Justice is due to the judgement delivered by the Supreme Court in respect of the “Divi Neguma Bill”, which although outwardly projected to the citizens as is name suggests – to raise the standard of living of the people – but the real intention being to concentrate the major share of the country’s assets and funds in the hands of one Family. In other words, a “Divi Nasana Bill”. And that explains this undue hurry to get the Bill passed in the Parliament by whatever means, disregarding all Constitutional provisions.

It is said that most evil deeds happen not due to actions of evil men but due to silence of the good men. That has been the bane of this beautiful country where we are now saddled with a lifeless opposition with its members being bought over with filthy lucre to achieve the sinister plans of the government. A moot point to consider here would be how “legal” is it to declare a two thirds majority by buying off MPs elected on opposition party tickets because obviously the people voted for the party that is opposed to the government party. But then, even this exercise has been “sanitized” by a controversial judgement delivered by a former Chief Justice who now cries “Mea Culpa”.

They say that when God wishes to destroy someone, He first makes that person mad.

That exactly is what is happening in this country today. All what we can do is to wait and see how and when this madness ends.


CALISTUS JAYATILLEKE

SRI LANKA: A COUNTRY WHERE ALL ARE NOT EQUAL UNDER THE LAW (and some are more equal than others)

“The Courts can only issue orders for implementation of the country’s laws.  It is upto the law enforcement entities to carry out such orders.  If the Police and other law enforcement entities delay or ignore such orders then there is nothing the Courts can do”

The above statement had actually been made by a sitting judge in open court recently which clearly shows the law and order situation in the country.  This statement was made by Colombo additional magistrate Prasanna de Alwis in connection with the murder case of ex-Presidential Adviser, Bharatha Lakshman, where the CID failed to arrest the suspect, Duminda de Silva, who is a Member of Parliament of the government party.

Over 4 months have passed since a court order had been issued by Kaduwela Magistrate to arrest the Deputy General Manager of Independent Television Networks (ITN), Sudharman Radaliygoda ,  over a charge of fraud.  The charges against him relate to the issue of fraudulent documents for the sale of scrap iron belonging to Sri Lanka Telecom.  This is an offence coming under Public Properties Act and hence unbailable.  All these 4 months the Police have meekly reported to the courts that since Radaliyagoda is not available at home, he could not be arrested. But, this very same Radaliyagoda, whom the Police claim is untraceable, took part in the last May Day rally under the flag of the UPFA led by the country’s President himself and many had seen him live on Television.

According to the laws of the country, Radaliyagoda is a suspect under arrest warrant issued by a court of law.  A similar warrant had been issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate against the son-in- law of General Fonseka, Danuna Tillekeratne, But in this case, the Police did not report that they could not arrest him as he was not at home but pasted posters all over the country telling that Danuna Tillekeratne is under an arrest warrant and anyone who gives a clue as to his whereabouts would be given a reward of 10 lakhs of rupees.  They also announced this over public address systems in the city of Colombo and paid visits to houses of his relatives and friends looking for him.  At the end, they filed a case against the 80-year old grand mother of Danuna Tillekeratne on the charge of giving temporary shelter to him.  It did not take even 3 months for the Police to do all this work.

Susil Kindelpitiya, who served as a Director of Sirasa Television Network, contested the 2010 General Elections for Colombo district from the UNP.  Within just a matter of two weeks from nomination date, he was arrested and jailed on a charge of kidnapping and issuing death threats to a woman.  Late on he was released by the courts as the woman complainant herself declared that the incident was a total fabrication and not true at all.

All those who serve in Police, Attorney General and the judicial courts are bound to abide by the Constitution of Sri Lanka.  According to the Constitution, all citizens are equal before the law and every person has a right to be treated equally.  In fact all officials of the President’s government never fail to announce at the top of their voices that in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, no one suffers injustice.  But, let us further examine how the law is actually operated in the country.

General Sarath Fonseka was the common opposition candidate at the December 2009 Presidential Elections. After he lost the elections, in February 2010, he was taken into custody by the Army and was jailed on a military tribunal verdict.  General Fonseka presented a Fundamental Rights Petition to the Supreme Court in March 2010 pleading to declare the verdict of the Military Tribunal null and void.  The Supreme court was unable to take up the case for a hearing even after 2 years and 4 months, when he was released from prison on a Presidential pardon.  The election petition against the results of the Presidential election was rejected by the courts.  Also, the Fundamental Rights petition against the verdict of the military tribunal was also rejected by the courts.  The Supreme Court which failed to take up this case even on the expiry of a period of 2 years and 4 months, took only 4 hours to dispose of the withdrawal of the petition by General Fonseka after he got the presidential pardon!

The Attorney General’s Department which was hitherto under the Ministry of Justice, was taken over by the President after the 2010 Presidential Elections.  Accordingly, now the political leader in charge of the Attorney General’s Department is also the President himself.  Following is a record of activities which took place after the AG’s Dept. was taken over by the President.

Three cases filed against defeated Presidential Candidate, General Fonseka. For the first time in the history, the Attorney General was instrumental in filing two cases in a military tribunal against General Fonseka.  Cases filed against three family members of General Fonseka (Son in law, Danuna Tillekeratne, Mother in law Jayanthi Tillekeratne and Sister in law Asoka Tillekeratne)

Legal actions against MPs, Abdul Khader (Kandy), Earl Gunasekera (Polonnaruwa) and Lakshman Seneviratne (Badulla) who crossed over from the UNP to the government side, were suspended or withdrawn.  The crossing over of these three MPs helped the ruling party to obtain a  2/3 majority to pass the 18^th Amendment to the Constitution.  The case filed against Abdul Khader for misappropriation of public funds to the tune of 10 lakhs of rupees was withdrawn by the Attorney General.  The court ruling to the effect that the illegal hotel constructed by the sister of Earl Gunasekera in Minneriya reservation area be demolished, never saw its implementation.  The case against Lakshman Seneviratne for non-payment of a loan of 65 lakhs of rupees taken from the Bank of Ceylon, has since been suspended. The murder charges filed in the supreme court against ex Colombo District MP, Chandana Kathriarachchi, were withdrawn by the Attorney General.

The excuse trotted out by the Police for their failure to arrest MP Duminda Silva, who is a suspect in the killing of Presidential Adviser, Premachandra, is that they had not received Attorney General’s instructions.  Mr. Shani Abeysekera, Asst. Police Superintendent stated in open court recently that although they sent written requests for instructions from the Attorney General with regard to the arrest of Duminda Silva, they had not received any response so far.  (Although there is provision in the law for the CID to seek Attorney General’s opinion on orders received by them from lower courts, it is not mandatory to do so as per the country’s laws.)

It took only 24 hours for the Police to arrest and produce before courts an MP of the Opposition UNP who got involved in a fight under influence of liquor with a businessman. In that instance, the Police did not ask for Attorney General’s instructions to arrest a sitting Member of Parliament. It had been reported in the media that the businessman involved is a good friend of the President!

The investigations into the murder of Sunday Leader Editor, Lasantha Wickrematunge, are now going on for the last 3 years.  During the 2010 Presidential Elections all of a sudden the case was handed over to the CID hinting that General Sarath Fonseka was involved in this murder.  But, according to available information, the investigations reveal that accusing fingers are being directed at very high places in the government itself. Due to this, the requests for Attorney General’s opinion are now lying inside cupboards.  The only accused in this case who was under arrest, Pitchai Jesudasan, was found dead inside the prison on 13 October 2011 under mysterious circumstances.

Minister of Public Relations, Mervyn Silva announced at a public meeting in Kiribathgoda that he is the one who assaulted and broke the limbs of Journalist, Poddala Jayantha.  The Police spokesman, Ajith Rohana, announced that the Police will conduct investigations within two days  into this claim but nothing was heard thereafter.  Instead, a week later, Minister Basil Rajapakse (President’s brother) spoke at a coordination meeting in Kelaniya praising the work of Minister Mervyn Silva. The Police, unfortunately, had not even been able to get a statement from Minister Mervyn Silva still.

The latest episode in this saga of unequal application of law, is the incident when burglars broke into the house of Nishantha Wickremasinghe, Sri Lankan Airlines Chairman who is a brother of the first lady, Shiranthi Rajapakse and stole a massive amount of foreign currency and an expensive Rolex watch – all running into millions of rupees.  The Police were able to solve the case within no time and the stolen money and the watch recovered.  But the real point here is how did Wickremasinghe get into possess such a large amount of illegal and undeclared foreign currency.  The law enforcers in this case have been very lenient due to his high connections.  The rules of the country’s Central Bank state that for anyone carrying over US$2000.-foreign currency to the country it is mandatory to register the amount with the Customs.  Sources from the Customs say that there has not been any record within the past year of either Wickremasinghe or any of his family members bringing foreign currency worth US$2000.- or above in to the country from overseas. Obviously, one law for the First Family, their relatives and those belonging to the government party and their supporters and another one for those who do not agree with them.

All the above incidents show very clearly the direction Sri Lanka is going now.

But the tragedy is that the so called majority has no clue or do not care at all about these happenings.  They are still dreaming of the promised “Miracle of Asia” when in fact it would only end up as the “Debacle of Asia”

BREAKING NEWS: AMERICAN ECONOMY CRASHES

It has been just been reported that the United States of America is facing its biggest economic collapse in the entire history of its existence.

The American stock market has already totally collapsed. There is imminent danger of large Multi-National corporations and banks getting closed and hundreds of thousands of employees in those institutions losing their jobs.

The American government is helpless in the face of this disaster and it is learnt that President Obama has already submitted his resignation.

Economic experts in the world believe that the main cause of this disaster is the call made by Sri Lankan Minister, Weerawansa to boycott American services and goods.

With Mr. Weerawansa deciding to close his G-Mail account and stop using Google search engine, Google had closed down immediately and its President and Chief Executive have already committed suicide.

It is also learnt that American Vice President, Secretary of State and other senior members of the government have already left for Sri Lanka and the main objective of their visit is to meet the Honourable Minister Weerawansa, apologise to him and beg him to reverse the decision taken by him to boycott American services and goods.

(The photo above shows Mrs. Shashi Weerawansa, beloved wife of Minister Weerawansa enjoying an American fast food meal at KFC in Colombo.


Wimal Weerawansa urges boycott of US products
News | March 14, 2012 8:25 am SRI LANKA MIRROR 14.03.12
________________________________________ (Srilankamirror) – Minister Wimal Weerawansa has urged Sri Lankans to boycott American products because the US-sponsored resolution on the island at the UNHRC would encourage separatism.
He was speaking yesterday (Mar. 13) at a rally against the resolution tabled at the UNHRC session in Geneva.
Mr. Weerawansa said the resolution would be destructive to the postwar atmosphere.
“Instead of promoting ethnic reconciliation, it will hamper that process and would increase acrimony and rancor among the communities,” he said.
“If we submit to this resolution, Tiger terrorists will raise their head again.”
He called on people to boycott American brands such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, KFC, McDonalds and Google’s email service Gmail.
“We must show our protest even in a small manner to US for the ill-treatment they are throwing at us,” Mr. Weerawansa added.

4 Comments1.
Anil says:
March 14, 2012 at 9:45 am
Stop visiting Disney land with your family
2. F Jurangpathy says:
March 14, 2012 at 10:34 am
What a idiot idea, imagine to ban gmail and google that shows how educated this bastard is
3. Calistus Jayatilleke says:
March 14, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Another “gem” from the Joker of the Pack who is suffering from verbal diahorrea. He should himself set an example by removing all e-mail and internet connections from his home (if any) and from his Ministry because most of these are innovations, not only Google and Gmail, being maintained by the USA. Further, he should stop going to Disney Land with his wife and children as it is in the USA. Also, that Gel he is using on his hair, is also a product of either US or UK. How about that I-Phone, which is also a Product of the West. Finally, he should stop wearing trousers as it is a mode of dress of the West and he should set an example to the hoi-pollois here by wearing an “amude”. And then start a “farce” unto death and wait for someone to bring some “Thambili” water. One is constrained to wonder if the President of the country is also an idiot for keeping such jokers as Ministers in his cabinet. Or else the President might be trying to revive the ancient practice of Sinhala Kings to keep “palace jokers” to entertain the members of the Royal family. No wonder, with jokers like this Pacha Wansa and “Duraacharya” Maravin, the whole world is laughing at us. In the not too distant past, when this country was ruled by educated gentlemen, and not “village thugs” Sri Lanka had earned a respectable reputation as a country with intelligent people but, alas, it is no more, with these jokers, drug dealers, rapists, bribe-takers and murderers becoming Law Makers.


4. Calistus Jayatilleke says:
March 14, 2012 at 5:18 pm
Oh, another thing Mr. Weerawansa. Also, Boycott the American citizens who hold high positions in this government of which you are a part and tell them to go to Hell to prove your patriotism.

"GENEVA COUP" OF THE MAD HATTERS

Renowned Sri Lankan scientist, Doctor E. W. Adikaram, in one of his essays had mentioned that a “Racialist” can be classified as a mental patient, based on his theory that one who believes there is something when there is actually nothing, is in fact a mental patient. There is nothing called “race” and therefore, the person who acts based on the belief that there is actually something, is in fact a mental patient.

If one is to adapt this theory of Doctor E.W. Adikaram to our present situation in the country, it would be like this. There is nothing to say that America and other European nations are trying to put Sri Lankan leaders on the electric chair. Those who behave as if there is something like that, are in fact mental patients.

Within that meaning, it is a tragedy that one has to categorize a considerable number of Sri Lankan citizens as mental patients. In actual fact there is no such plan by either the Americans or the Europeans to take Sri Lankan President, Defence Secretary or any other army officer to the electric chair or to the gallows. Therefore, to show that there is such a move through the kept media, and shouting, demonstrating and pounding their chests on the streets, is an act of mad hatters or mental patients.

But, this drama was scripted, produced, directed and staged by the government using their cohorts, all over the country last week. Those who gathered in about 150 towns or junctions, protested to the hilt by shouting slogans to the effect that they had gathered to save the country’s leader, defence secretary and armed forces from being taken to the electric chair by the evil United States and the Europeans. There had been orders from the top for the MPs and Ministers from the areas to also take part in these protests. Usually, most the participants in these protests are government servants who are given a packet of lunch, a few drams of liquor and half day off including free transport. In some cases, force had also been used to bring people for these protests.

The19th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council is currently underway in Geneva, Switzerland. There is a proposal by the United States and other European countries to bring a resolution before this Council with regard to Sri Lanka. The gist of this Resolution is that these countries are prepared to extend their cooperation if the Sri Lankan government has a definite plan to implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt Commission, within a specified period of time. The Lessons Learnt Commission is a commission appointed by the Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapakse himself on 15 May 2000, to enquire into certain incidents which took place during the period of 21 February 2002 to 19 May 2009. It was headed by none other than a great pal of the President himself, the former Attorney General C.R. de Silva. The President appointed this commission in order to investigate within the country itself, and find answers to the accusations leveled by some countries at the Sri Lankan government during the period of war.

The LLRC Commission, after completing their investigations and carrying out evidence gathering, submitted their report to the President on 16 December 2011. The President, Mahinda Rajapakse, had publicly undertaken to implement the recommendations of this committee, more so because he had a moral obligation to do so being the appointing authority of the commission.

All what the Americans and the Europeans are going to propose to the Human Rights Council is to urge Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations of the LLRC. What one cannot comprehend is what is actually wrong in asking for implementation of the recommendations of a commission appointed by the President himself and chaired by one of his close friends. Looking at it from the point of Human Rights, it is definitely a good move and there is nothing adverse in it to anyone.

Let us just look at some of the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt Commission.

First, the government should re-introduce legality in its administration rather than individuals governing the country. In other words, all activities in the country should be carried out in line with the law of the country and not according to the whims and fancies of some people.

Secondly, the safety of persons taken into custody should be assured by the government. At the same time, the government should acknowledge the rights of the next kith and kin to know the whereabouts of those who are taken into custody. The government should take steps to look into cases of disappearances and take all measures to trace them and hand over to their families. There should be a mechanism to investigate and punish those responsible for deaths and disappearances during the past period of war. It is also imperative to investigate cases of deaths and disappearances and issue death certificates where applicable.

The Commission has also recommended to the government that it should take steps to stop the activities of the para military outfits carrying arms and engaging in illegal activities in North and East of the country.

Further, the Commission has accepted the right of the people to information and has recommended that the government ensure that this right is implemented by framing suitable legislation. It is also important to put a stop to the attacks on free media and journalists.
It has also been recommended that the Police should function as an independent body and towards this, an Independent Police Commission should be established.

The Commission has further recommended the appointment of a commission of enquiry to go into various accusations leveled at the armed forces and also to take suitable steps to go into a form of power devolution to eliminate the grievances of the Tamil people.

Now the question that arises is, how could the implementation of these recommendations affect the human rights or sovereignty of a country. When one considers these recommendations individually, it is very clear that all those are for the benefit of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim people of the country. Therefore, how could the proposals emanating from various countries requesting for a timeframe for implementation of these recommendations and pledging their support towards that end can ever be classified as an “International Conspiracy”?.

True, there could be a danger too, as the countries led by the USA are proposing that the recommendations of the LLRC be implemented within a specific period of time. In case this does not take place, then there is a danger of some steps being taken against the country. But then again, the key for getting out of this issue is also with Sri Lanka. That is by way of implementation of the recommendations within a specific period of time. In this respect, of course, Sri Lanka’s record is dismal. The LLRC report was released in November 2011 but there have been no steps taken by Sri Lanka government for implementation of these

Although the President says that a programme for implementation of the recommendations of the LLRC was tabled in the Parliament on the same day the report was presented to the Parliament, nobody had seen or heard about such a programme. Also, although the President had announced to the media chiefs that they will call for an All Party Conference to solve the ethnic problem, nothing had happened in that respect too. But, the President had taken action on two issues, One: Appointing of members to the Police Commission. But this Commission is not an independent commission as recommended by the LLRC but a commission which includes rabid racists like Elle Gunawansa Thero, a Buddhist monk. There is nothing such a Commission can do to ensure independence of the Police.

Also, all of a sudden the Army Commander has appointed a military court comprising of army officers to investigate if there are any allegations against the army, which is actually like a case of appointing the thief’s mother to find evidence of robbery carried out by her own son.

What the government is doing is playing a cat and mouse game. Mahinda Rajapakse government has a well-known unpleasant history in this game: The murder of 5 students in Trincomalee, the killing of 17 relief workers in “Action Fame”, murder of MP Ravi Raj, etc. The Udalagama Commission appointed by the President to look into these killings, was cut short by the Rajapakse government itself before the commissioners could even complete their task. The report of commission headed by Supreme court judge Shirani Tilakawardene to go into alleged shady dealings in procuring arms and ammunitions during the war, is still lying in a locked cupboard at the Temple Trees. Also, the report of the Commission headed by Tissa Vitharane which was appointed by the President as soon as he became President to go into solutions for the ethnic problems, is also lying in some waste paper basket at the Temple Trees.

The report of the commission appointed to go into the murder of Roshan Shanaka at Katunayake Free Trade Zone is also not to be found anywhere.

Going by the past record of the government in disregarding reports of various commissions appointed by the government itself, it is no wonder that the international community has no faith in the promises made by the government asking for more time to implement the recommendations of the LLRC. On 27th of February, addressing the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Sri Lanka’s special envoy on Human Rights, mentioned that the government needs more time to implement the recommendations of the LLRC. But the international organizations dealing with human rights based in Geneva, look at these requests for more time, as merely time wasting strategies.

Amnesty International’s Yolande Foster says that these requests by the Sri Lanka government for more time are nothing new as all promises made by successive Sri Lankan governments have ended up merely as broken promises. She further says that the Sri Lankan government has not even implemented the interim recommendations of the LLRC which had been made over a year ago. There was a recommendation by that commission to issue a list of those kept under custody for information of their immediate family members, but so far no such list has been issued by the government.

Director of Human Rights Watch, Brad Adams, says if Sri Lanka has an honest intention to look into human rights violations, time is really not an obstacle for it. He further says “Sri Lankan government had promised, even before the war, that they would look into human rights violations. But, the international experts committee appointed to look into the Udalagama commission report, resigned en masse. It is hard to believe that the government which did not do anything even two and a half years after the war, is now saying that they will do something”

Therefore, what is wrong in asking for a proper time frame and road map to provide answers from a government which has a bad track record in postponing everything? How does that request become a conspiracy? Actually, the Sri Lankan citizens who are concerned about their human rights should, with one voice demand the implementation of the LLRC commissions. We should also ask the international community to put pressure on Sri Lanka government to implement these recommendations.

But instead of doing that, all what the slavish subjects of the country are doing is, to put their citizenship and humanity at the feet of war heros and get on to the streets to shout slogans against America.

The most unfortunate thing is that even the media in Sri Lanka are standing alongside these slogan shouting jokers – and sometimes the media is even standing behind these jokers. These mediamen are not interested in exposing the real side of this false façade. Anyone scrutinizing the headlines of Sinhala newspapers over the weekend and during week days would be clear on this unfortunate situation. These kept mediamen – both printed and electronic – depicted the recently held street protests by government supporters as Sri Lankans getting ready to declare war on aggressors. One could hear battle cries and patriotic songs over the radio and television as if the country is going to face a Third World War.

The United Nations Human Rights Council sits twice a year, in March and in September. If a resolution is passed during March sessions asking the Sri Lankan government to implement the recommendations of the LLRC, and if the government fails to do so, then it is possible that the council may go another step forward in its next sessions in September. But, the resolution to be moved by America and other members during the current sessions is not at all adverse to either Sri Lanka or its people.

If the Sri Lankan government goes ahead in implementing the recommendations of the LLRC according to a proper plan and timeframe, then only the government would be able to escape sanctions at the next session in September. Therefore, if there is an iota of intelligence in those who run the government, the best thing to do would be to make use of the opportunity and implement the recommendations in an open and honest manner. But, without doing that, if the government opts to listen to card-board heroes like Wimal Weerawansa, who is well known as not-farsighted but only short-sighted, and follow the advice of other racist jokers in jumping on to the streets along with paid supporters to conduct protests against the perceived “imperialists”, then it is asking for dangerous trouble voluntarily.

We have all heard of the story of the King who kept a monkey to look after him and how the stupid monkey in trying to shoo away a fly who was disturbing the king in his sleep, in the process managed to kill the king with his own sword.

Unfortunately for us and our country, our so called King too has a lot of such monkeys kept in his Palace as advisers.