Of Tigers and jackals 

The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) has commenced an investigation into a complaint alleging that a certain remark made at the recently held Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) public rally at Anuradhapura could tantamount to the promotion of  the LTTE.

According to  media reports, Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler confirmed that the  Inspector General of Police had directed the investigation to be handed over to the TID following the complaint lodged by a group of civil society members identifying themselves as the “Joint Opposition”.

The complaint is related to the remark made by Jaffna District MP Archchuna Ramanathan who referred to himself as a tiger (kotiya) and made an  unflattering reference to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake comparing him to an animal with a reputation for cunning. Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed that a formal complaint had been lodged with the Police and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Speaking at the  weekly press briefing on Tuesday, Minister Jayatissa also rejected  claims made by MP Archchuna alleging that the Tamil diaspora financially supported the National People’s Power (NPP) election campaign. 

Controversy is not far behind MP Archchuna. In and out of  parliament, his antics have put him on a collision course with law enforcement authorities and his run-ins with the Speaker in parliament have become so regular that not many take any notice of his antics anymore.

Soon after taking oaths as a MP in November 2024, the medical doctor turned politician paid tribute to slain LTTE leader Veluppillai Prabhakaran claiming that Prabakaran was his God. Being a provocateur,  Archchuna himself would most welcome a police investigation which would only mean more publicity for him when his political relevance is near zero.

While MP Archchuna’s antics are well known, what  needs more scrutiny is the how stable the mental faculties of those who think a passing remark on a political stage warrants a TID investigation,  that is unless those serving in the TID are entirely jobless or are closings their eyes  to the real concerns that are being raised over the “promotion of the LTTE” such as the recent unveiling of the bronze statue of LTTE member Thileepan whose fast unto death in 1987 propelled him to martyrdom among the LTTE and  its cadres. Apparently,  the statue was unveiled in Nallur with some of his supporters in attendance.

If the TID is seriously looking for those who are propagating the ideology of a separatist group, then maybe a closer look is warranted elsewhere and not at the stage of opposition political party which was also attended  by the man  who gave political leadership that ended the 30 years reign of terror of the LTTE. 

The fact that former president Mahinda Rajapaksa had to make an appearance at the rally in his frail condition is another matter which warrants more serious introspection by those in his own party, but for the Police to even think that such ludicrous complaint warrant an investigation only gives credence to those who say that the Police  are being  directed in a way to harass political opponents and not do their duty in an impartial manner.

As for the Jaffna District MP’s claim that the NPP was funded by the Tamil diaspora, Minister Jayatissa said that  legal action would be pursued against the MP for making false statements. That’s a matter for the Government to pursue but if one is to take legal action against all ‘false claims’ made by politicians including those in the JVP/NPP then the Sri Lankan judicial system which is already overwhelmed with a massive backlog, will have to reckon with thousands more.

The United Nations marked “World Democracy Day’ on Wednesday. Freedom of expression is the bedrock of democracy. It is a fundamental human right, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but around the world, there are Governments and those wielding power who find many ways to obstruct it, according to the UN.

Should a casual remark at a public rally be subject to a police investigation in a democracy? That’s a question that needs to be asked from the powers that be.