Peaceful gatherings, Samakami Aragalaya – a curfew

Many years ago, I had the fortune to listen to an interview with the late Gamini Iriyagolla (GI). This was at a time before Mahinda Rajapakse was the President and the government at the time had little or no faith in being able to win the war against the LTTE. When GI was questioned on the terrorist issue, his answer was –I paraphrase- that before anything could be discussed, the writ of the government /law and its sovereignty should be reach every nook and cranny of the country.

Today, though we are not fighting an armed terrorist group, we are questioning the government on the future of this country. At present the government has imposed a curfew to contain a spree of violence. However, despite the curfew, the Aragalaya continues.

Over the last 24 hours to 48 hours, we have been listening various discussions with prominent lawyers, religious leaders, politicians, trade unionist and civil society activists. Not a single person is advocating that the crowds to be dispersed. They are all endorsing a ‘Samakami Aragalaya’ while asking the people to avoid acts of violence. Do these people realise that as things are, inevitably one will lead to the other?

Ironically, even the retired General Kamal Gunaratne, the Secretary of Defence, while talking about establishing law and order, did not say anything about the dispersion of crowds.

Put aside theft and arson. My understanding is that these acts are unlawful even without a curfew. Large groups are gathering, asking for the President to resign. They say their protests will continue until their goal is achieved, moves to form interim governments notwithstanding. Senior police officers are assaulted on streets. The Speaker announced that the party leaders could not meet because in the existing situation their protection could not be assured!

If law and order is not restored soon, that is what will happen.

It was reported yesterday that mobs were checking the people leaving to the airport, while the police and the forces looked on. Currently, they are checking to see that none of the 225 with their stolen loot is leaving the country. How long will ‘they’ take to make the ‘moral /logical’ argument that since we are all born free to this world, all resources should belong to us equally; therefore, it is logical that ‘You’ cannot use an expensive watch, diamond earrings. gold bangles etc. while ‘We’ had to pawn our wives’ necklaces last month?

Everyone needs to realise that any government, regardless of how corrupt they are, is better than anarchy.

If there is a curfew then there should be no gatherings whatsoever. The fact that these are meant to be peaceful is irrelevant.

The Aragalaya needs to be dispersed. Once curfew is over it can regather. If that does not happen, then that in itself tells a lot about the Aragalaya and its motives.

Please sort this out. If not, at least lift curfew without making a mockery of it. This country’s economy can ill-afford this situation. We can all get back to work and the normal legal frame work can take care of the arson, looting and murder. There is no need for a curfew to do so.

Dr. Sumedha S. Amarasekara