SRI LANKA: From instability to greater disability

Perhaps one thing that was forgotten when Lord Dunmore gave Adult Franchise for all, and also when Sri Lanka became an independent nation, is the stability of the social structure of a country. This is what provides for the establishment of the government, which will ensure security and stability to all.

When these matters are talked or written about, the invariable reaction is that we have gone deep into this crisis. Not just cynics, but those who know the ground reality, feel that whatever description is given about this crisis is only an understatement, with the actual status being much worse.

Meanwhile, the middleclass critics continue discussion in a language that could be used anywhere. They do not have much interest in the actual depth of the crisis prevailing in their own country. While the media keeps up a general discussion, it does not go far enough to reveal the crisis that has now become disproportionate.

However, the truth manifests in the streets, where murder (and other violations) have been made easy. This is a result of the careless neglect to investigate into any serious crime and convince the public that law enforcement agencies are competent and capable. Instead, the situation now is that actions are taken after events of crime, such as street patrols improved after the event. This occurs for a few days, until officers are called to other duties and the matter is then over. This is the fate of all crimes. The same thing is seen in the issue of corruption. In Sri Lanka, corruption has spread like a deadly cancer, but there is no wish on the part of anyone to provide healing aspects.

Governance has itself become an affair where corrupt elements vie for positions, with the hope that they could become richer than they had ever imagined. The selling of seats to the highest bidder has become a general practice. All this is known and talked about, but there is no will to fight and bring this to an end.

When crises become ever greater, people lose their resistance power. They get confused and disoriented. They do whatever they can to survive individually, and a pathetically hopeless situation develops. The noise of the crisis can be heard everywhere, and before such noises the people try to flee further.

These situations that exist in several countries, like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Philippines and others, should be treated as shocking. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and all other authorities should take this into consideration and take steps to ensure that the crises are prevented from becoming ever greater crises.

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