Time for citizens to lawfully express their discontent: Karu

United National Party (UNP) MP Karu Jayasuriya has renewed calls for the Government to safeguard law and order in the face of growing authoritarianism.

Released a statement Jayasuriya pointed out there is a growing trend in authoritarianism, which, if allowed to continue would end the semblance of good governance and democracy.

He stressed that it is time for citizens to lawfully express their discontent before the little law and order prevailing in the country is lost.

Given below is his full statement:

“I am compelled to voice my serious concern at the alarming deterioration of the law and order situation. Remaining silent at this juncture, as an elected representative of the people, would be to betray the trust and confidence they have placed in me.

“Just days ago, people took the law into their own hands and set fire to the house of a ruling party supporter in Kahawatte. It was over the reported killing of a mother and daughter. Whilst I do not wish to deal with the details of the case, which may impair investigations, to say the least, it is a disturbing trend. Anger over purported inaction by the Police is forcing the public to react with resort to violence to demand fair play and justice. On the other hand, Police have come under heavy pressure from sinister and powerful forces in performing their legitimate duties without fear or favour.

“Another instance also concerns a ruling party member, the Chairman of the Kolonnawa Urban Council, Ravindra Udayashantha. He has alleged that a group of persons, who later turned out to be Army personnel, tried to abduct him. The Military Spokesman has claimed the Army men had gone there to arrest deserters. Only an impartial, transparent investigation can establish the truth. It is relevant to note that in this instance too, it is the people who rounded up the alleged abductors and handed them over to the Police.

“Instead of an investigation, overnight, the Officer-in-Charge of the Wellampitiya Police Station has been transferred out. Those in custody, it is reported, have been released allegedly at the intervention of a senior Police officer. These actions highlight the spate of abductions taking place in the country. The Police are unable to investigate properly or protect the Government’s own supporters leave alone others. Sinister and powerful forces are resorting to extra-legal measures and the Police appear to be helpless for fear of reprisals.

“These happenings come as Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe has claimed before the current sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva that human rights in Sri Lanka are protected and more measures were being adopted by the Government through an Action Plan.  He has also assured that the Government would implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

“However, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Leader of the House and a member of the Sri Lanka delegation to the Human Rights Council has declared in an interview to a Sunday newspaper that the Government never agreed to implement the recommendations of the LLRC.

“‘We need to ascertain what recommendations come under the purview of the mandate given to the LLRC. Some experts have said the LLRC has gone beyond its mandate. We need to identify the recommendations that come under the purview of the mandate,’ Minister de Silva is quoted as saying. Who is right? What is the Government’s correct official position on the LLRC report?  

“When Sri Lanka’s human rights record is under scrutiny at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, ministers making many contradictory statements cause great harm to the country. Worse are attempts to sweep under the carpet alleged murders and abductions of Government’s own supporters. One shudders to think what it would be when it came to an opposition supporter. It is the public anger and alertness that is acting as a searchlight over the dark happenings. There is a growing trend in authoritarianism, which, if allowed to continue would end the semblance of good governance and democracy.

“It is time every right thinking citizen of this country lawfully express their discontent before the little law and order prevailing in the country is lost. Otherwise, the deafening silence of some, for their personal gain or otherwise, will be contributing to a rapidly deteriorating situation. They will be aiding and abetting in the early demise of the rule of law.”