Appeal for calm and coexistence

The country was once again on edge on Monday as Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera’s fast continued into the third day. Shops were forcefully closed in Kandy, Kalutara, Gampola, Kurunegala and other areas as fears of more inter-communal violence swept through the country. As the hours ticked down tension spread far and wide, only somewhat allayed by the resignations of Governors Azath Sally and M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, which then led to Ven. Rathana Thera also ending his fast. 

In a democracy, rule of law is supposed to be supreme. If there are questionable or illegal activities committed by any citizen, they should be impartially investigated and dealt with according to the law. The appointments of people and their removal should also take place under the guidance of the law and not because Buddhist monks or politicians call for their dismissal. 

Ven. Rathana began his fast on Friday but attention heightened after he was visited by Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, who said that unless the resignations were handed in by noon on Monday there would be widespread protests. Other monks and people joined the fast over the weekend and by Monday the Government was looking at another powder keg situation. In response President Maithripala Sirisena simply called for the resignations and accepted them when they were tendered. Since Friday there was little or no effort from the top rungs of Government to address the situation in a way that gave confidence to those who stand on the side of communal harmony, equality and respect for law and order.

This is in no way an attempt to whitewash any participant in this situation. But it is clear that the events unfolding in Sri Lanka today are becoming overwhelmingly and overtly racist and the Government has so far has not addressed these concerns at all. Minorities also have the right to have political representation and in Sri Lanka politicians of all parties and ethnicities are connected by common threads of alleged corruption and bribery. But that is why the law exists, so that these people can be dealt with through legal means.Over the decades, successive governments including the present administration have ignored and undermined the rule of law to the extent that due process can now be thrown out of the window entirely. If politicians and officials need to be removed then that should be done lawfully and not at the behest of individuals. This sets a worrying precedent for any future actions that this government could take and the independence and impartiality with which a democracy should function. There is no doubt that if infractions have been caused then those responsible have to be held responsible but it cannot be done in the ad hoc manner that has been demonstrated. 

Moreover, when a situation that could clearly have an impact on Sri Lanka’s communal harmony is unfolding, the Government has to take prompt and decisive action. It cannot sit idly by and wait for that situation to explode causing violence and mayhem in multiple parts of the country. In the aftermath of the tragic Easter Sunday attacks, the President and Prime Minister insisted their laidback attitude towards national security and communal harmony would end and they would proactively work to rebuild the country but this is not being witnessed by the masses. The Government still remains divided and reactionary and it is the citizens who are paying the price. 

For the Government, rebuilding Sri Lanka’s communal harmony should be top priority as all other concerns including the economy cannot be put back on track if people are forced to live in constant fear and daily lives are disrupted.