Little incidents being blown out of proportion: President

3 August 2012 12:40 am - 102 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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While claiming that there was no increase in crime in the country, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that due to end of a three decade long war, several tiny incidents had been highlighted.

“When the country was in turmoil with a thirty year old war gong on, people did not think of the petty problems in the country, they were concerned for their children, their relations and for the safety of their families. But, after peace returned to the country small incidents have been highlighted, with some incidents being blown out of proportion and as a result people called on to take action, resulting in the country becoming agitated enough to believe that crime had gone out of control in the country,” the President said in Kandy after receiving the “Sannas Pathraya” from the Sri Dalada Maligawa Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela yesterday, formally announcing the end of the Kandy Esala Perahera.

Speaking further the President said that “earlier the crime was not a concern, but after peace returned to the country it has been foremost in the minds of the people. When there is an accident people are concerned. He said that it signifies that the country has come back to normality. (L.B.Senaratne and J.A.L.Jayasinghe)

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Comments - 102

weha Friday, 03 August 2012 01:04 AM

There is nothing called big and small. every single human life has a value.

lalith Friday, 03 August 2012 01:07 AM

is the ruined economy, high cost of living, messing up students a/l results, constantly importing substandard fuel, rise in crime all small incidents???

Pacha-epa Friday, 03 August 2012 01:17 AM

For those running around in huge armed convoys, there is no concern about crime and safety. For those of us who have NO PROTECTION from criminal activity and are the victims of it, there is!

Cyclops Friday, 03 August 2012 01:10 AM

Doesn't he realize that it's these little incidents as he calls them that the state ignored all those years and allowed them to escalate into major calamity in this country. So lets go on ignoring them again till we come face to face with another even more deadly that will maybe take harder and longer to control!

Saman Friday, 03 August 2012 01:13 AM

Dear Mr. President, thank you for bringing peace to Sri Lanka. However, do you classify murder, rape, child molestations as petty crimes?

nabri Friday, 03 August 2012 01:36 AM

of course mr.president, with the war being over the living standards have to improve too. you obviously cant expect people to live in the same state as during war time. people has been a laughing stock with your government asking them to live with 7000 rupees. honestly, have some respect,

Mims Friday, 03 August 2012 01:34 AM

My, my, someone is in denial. So many journalists, activists, and people who have spoken out have been killed (Lasantha), kidnapped, missing, and silenced, politicians have been murdered with no one held accountable or the murderer helped out of the country, and yet our esteemed President seems to trivialized these crimes. I have not even mentioned corruption, lawlessness and crimes against children.

perumal Friday, 03 August 2012 01:35 AM

Small incidents! That is a perfect definition for the rapes, murders, child abuse, enforced disappearances committed by politicians and supporters of the ruling family. Amend the constitution to say that there will be no prosecutions for small incidents.

Rukshan Friday, 03 August 2012 01:55 AM

And this in your opinion is a justification to the utter failure of law enforcement in this country? Crime was always a concern. These 'small' incidents affect peoples lives, their families and their communities. Even if it were blown out of proportion, the public is right to do to that. There is nothing normal about a land of crime. Just saying.

facebook goviya Friday, 03 August 2012 02:15 AM

And the government cant say cannot control these " little incidents" it because it has it's hand's full with a war effort. Building Roads, Ports, Airports without stemming the crime rate is no Development for the masses!

Dadoriya Friday, 03 August 2012 02:04 AM

Small and big are relative terms. What is small for some is big to others. Yes, the war song was sung far too loud.

Achari Friday, 03 August 2012 02:25 AM

My dear President when did the crime rate come down??????
Are we in the real world or the miracle of Asia????????

senavi Friday, 03 August 2012 02:43 AM

more than the crimes, selective application of law is the problem. This also has also encouraged corruption

CHANDRAPALA Friday, 03 August 2012 02:29 AM

Mr.President, you may be correct to a certain level. The crime rate of the country has not increased. People are not worry about the crimes. But they are always worry because justice will not meted out to them regarding some crimes that were taken place in the country in the recent past. Therefore, they seem to be taking law in to their hand. I feel that you may draw your attention to this matter.

Moven Friday, 03 August 2012 02:38 AM

Of course, under court warrants visiting a jail to meet inmates is very very little incident.

Calistus Jayatilleke Friday, 03 August 2012 02:45 AM

"little incidents". Whom to tell now, only God knows!

Ammo Friday, 03 August 2012 03:03 AM

you call them small incidents my gosh I doubt people are going to buy what you say anymore...

Matalan Friday, 03 August 2012 02:49 AM

Murders, rapes, kidnapping, thuggery, extortion, burglary etc round the clock, in every hook and corner, are 'little incidents'.

Muditha Friday, 03 August 2012 02:59 AM

"14 year old been gang raped " is it a little incident?

Fayad Friday, 03 August 2012 03:24 AM

How many women ,children were abused,got raped ,killed also a fair amount by politicians do you consider this as little sir ??

Tonto Friday, 03 August 2012 03:28 AM

Even after three years, the volume has still not gone down.

LankanFellow1 Friday, 03 August 2012 03:41 AM

Killing a MP by another MP in broad daylight.. is a small incident. !!!!!

ind Friday, 03 August 2012 03:28 AM

Earlier also these things took place. But they were not highlighted due to war. Everybody fill the pages with war incidents. But when the war ended, journalists have to find other news. So these incidents been highlighted due to no war news.

asoka abeywardena Friday, 03 August 2012 03:55 AM

MR. PRESIDENT, IS BHARATHA'S KILLING A TINY INCIDENT FOR YOU...? There are so many rape, murder, money extortion, robbery, bribe and assault cases...(where, there are opticians involved in most cases)...someone can write a book full of crimes with more pages than Harry Potters'...WHERE IS OUR ONCE HIGHLY RESPECTED JUDICIARY SYSTEM HEADING FOR...?

Vipula Wijayaratne Friday, 03 August 2012 03:46 AM

Over 900 incidents of rape in the last 6 months form that over 700 is under aged girls. Are these also “small incidents” Mr. President. Have these figures which are given by family planning association “blown out of proportion” then please take action against FPA.We need to accept our mistakes and take remedial action.
One minister has claimed that it’s because the “way they dress” Over 700 children violated because of the “way they dress”???

buffaloa citizen Friday, 03 August 2012 04:08 AM

Mr. President, dont throw sand into the eyes of people who voted for you. The fact of the situation is majority of crimes are committed by persons in authority and State bodies with blatant arrogance and impunity, some of them are even very close to you. This statement calling it "little incidents" shows how much you wish to protect them. Stating this at the Dalada Maligawa shows the level of buddhism you understand.

Prasannajit Friday, 03 August 2012 03:55 AM

This means all scenarios including Baratha Laksman murder etc are very small incidents.

Punchi Putha Friday, 03 August 2012 04:08 AM

Small incidents like the first lady's path being obstructed by a mentally challenged person at the Galle face green?

Minister Friday, 03 August 2012 04:32 AM

Mr. President, Even a loss of a single life due to crime, violance or any other reason whatever it may be, is very big for us as ordinary citizens of this country, though it is tiny or negligable matter for politicians. Becaus, we believe, God created every human life with dignity because of His unlimited love for human race and no one has the right to take it away by murder or subject it to, extortion, kidnapping rape etc etc..

Game Kolla Friday, 03 August 2012 05:02 AM

Any problem in the country is highlighted. government has a habit of turning against opposition , other institutions and people without trying to solve the problem.We are in the fast lane towards a indiscipline society

Ruwan Friday, 03 August 2012 04:52 AM

We the public have lost confidence in the police force. That is the biggest problem at the moment. Yes we do understand that crimes may have not been highlighted as during the time of war but now the war is over and discipline is the key to success

Kondeybendapucheena Friday, 03 August 2012 05:18 AM

Not only Crime corruption every where, you have no idea how bad is the Ground situation Mr.President

muhandiram Friday, 03 August 2012 05:05 AM

Mr. President, is it so difficult for the massive Security Establishment that won the 30 year war to eliminate these "little incidents"?

Sammy Friday, 03 August 2012 05:23 AM

Whenever faced with an issue, MR and his goons fall back & seeks comfort and glory on war victory. Please look ahead and sort out current burning issues. It must be said that even criminals were distracted by the war when it happened and they have more opportunities and time now, after the war. Do not try to sweep these crimes under the carpet.

ase Friday, 03 August 2012 05:24 AM

there may not an increase but the law is not implicated because of political influences. Those criminels are proteceted rather being thrown from the parties they even enjoy there imprisonness thru politics,
Mr. President that is the problem what we folk have so take action against your own people and do not talk them less.

ANTON Friday, 03 August 2012 05:17 AM

why he used the word tiny

His cabinet is tiny
Present COL is tiny
Prize increments of goods are tiny
Expenses on foreign trips are tiny

Gamini Senarath Friday, 03 August 2012 05:26 AM

Is he out of sence!!!!!

Or deaf & blind!!!

Jayantha Friday, 03 August 2012 05:12 AM

Yes, if this happen to one of your close ones, is it still small?

Don Udawatte Friday, 03 August 2012 05:26 AM

Well MR white van saga and child rape incidents and huge. It may be small incidents in your mind but for us they are big enough to cry loud.
It appears to be that you have lost control in the adminstration and you do not know whats going on below you !

Malinda Friday, 03 August 2012 05:26 AM

So money is bigger than peoples life for U ,, Thank u very much sir ,
People trusted u and still they believe that u will do a bit of good things,, For your information GOD IS LOOKING EVERYTHING …. Money is not everything .. GBU ........

Chandler Friday, 03 August 2012 05:27 AM

Root cause analysis -
Police is not free to curb crimes. Therefore MR, you as the head of state should cop the responsibility irrespective. No excuses.

sahdi Friday, 03 August 2012 05:30 AM

BILLIONS OF MONEY CORRUPTIONS ALSO VERY VERY TINY FOR OUR PRESIDENT AND THERE BROTHERS.......

Nodrog Friday, 03 August 2012 05:43 AM

I suppose because it does not affect you they can be considered 'small' crimes. Big or small a crime is a crime. Whether you murder 01 or 100 you are still a murderer. So stop trying to play down the issue and do something instead of trotting out excuses.

Athi Friday, 03 August 2012 05:39 AM

Mr.President, We are really saddened to read your statement. There are maniacs who celebrated scoring century, not in cricket. If what's happening are little incidents then there is something wrong in the filtered information provided to you. Please get rid of all these advisers who are misleading you.

nicky karunarathna Friday, 03 August 2012 05:58 AM

After war is over and daily killing and buses blown up and also over running of military camps by that ruthless barbaric LTTE's sensationalism news are no more. So newspaper man have to sell their news to people.with new vigor when there no news to be publish Then comes rape, school girls, brothel round ups, diesel and petrol and other affairs to their rescue. This is the nature of mass media. Hence they have to prostitute their trade!

Anura Friday, 03 August 2012 06:00 AM

Corruption at public institutions by politicians is no little deed. CPC hedging, substandard fuel, heinous crimes to name a few and political protection for wrong doers are no little deeds. Mr. Presidente, are you really living in Sri Lanka???

rajiv d Friday, 03 August 2012 06:00 AM

Wether it is big or small crime is a crime and only those who have lost their loved ones will suffer. Now that the war is over we are looking for a peaceful envirnment hence even one killing of an innocent citizen is a grave issue and breach of the peaceful envirnment. Isn't this a buddhist country and does HE follow buddhism?

Silva Friday, 03 August 2012 06:08 AM

Come on people, Amare Malli is only a naughty young man . No big deal .

piyal Friday, 03 August 2012 06:19 AM

Ah after all when he says that
We are extremely sad

sampath Friday, 03 August 2012 06:19 AM

so he accepts that there is crime, only being noticed now. But his brother recently stated that it was on the decline

John Friday, 03 August 2012 06:22 AM

See no evil, hear no evil......you are amazing Mr President! Till now I thought there was some hope of effective action by you, but now we are truly in cuckoo land or rather the wonder of Asia?

GRF Friday, 03 August 2012 06:31 AM

The fact is that government treasury is empty. Hence whoever crimianl comes to the court was given a surety bail to collect the money.

Kautilya Friday, 03 August 2012 06:17 AM

Julampitiya Amare is no small person and the incident was not a little incident.

justin Friday, 03 August 2012 06:43 AM

..and trying to stage dramas to protect these criminals hoping the public are fools to believe that.

Naren Senaratna Friday, 03 August 2012 06:27 AM

Yes your Excellency, the war was handled brilliantly under your guidance, let's now get together and clean up the remaining mess too, its everyone's wish that we be rid of crimes such as Rape and Child Abuse too.

Naren Senaratna Friday, 03 August 2012 06:37 AM

I absolutely agree with you Vipula, its simply disgusting to see the number of Rape and Child Abuse cases that are being highlighted these days. While they may have been about the same or a little less while the war was on and went mostly unnoticed, it doesn't mean we can no longer say it's fine or its not a problem or say its bringing the country bad press. Somethings got to be done about it. Vipula, there is this new Facebook Page that we have put up called "NO to RAPE NO to CHILD ABUSE", why don't you join us?

ifthikar lafir Friday, 03 August 2012 06:50 AM

This shows you are a President for a tiny lot and majority of the people wont endorse your views anymore.

Naren Senaratna Friday, 03 August 2012 07:01 AM

Yes your Excellency, the war was handled brilliantly under your guidance, let's now get together and clean up the remaining mess too, its everyone's wish that we be rid of crimes such as Rape and Child Abuse too. How could we possibly ignore this and pretend its all fine? These are no little incidents?

Future Friday, 03 August 2012 06:53 AM

Oh Mr. President, I wonder how you could say that those innocent children who are being raped daily somwhere in this country... You show love to them in public and you dont take action to protect them??? Mr. President not only you took this crime rate as little even the criminals thing that what they did is small and escapes

Just Another Citizen Friday, 03 August 2012 07:10 AM

Miracles keep on coming

Sena Friday, 03 August 2012 07:23 AM

Yes Mr. President, the war was handled brilliantly under your guidance, let's now get together and clean up the remaining mess too, its everyone's wish that we be rid of crimes such as Rape and Child Abuse and Murder. We cannot ignore or pretend that these issue are little or are no big deal. They need to be dealt with now.

Mario Friday, 03 August 2012 07:49 AM

You are still a servant of the public, remember that, for a president every life of a citizen is important, war song is played too many times, people are starting to hate it.

Game Over Friday, 03 August 2012 07:52 AM

Why, in addition, the murder of a own party politician, Millions of rupees fraud as commissions to politicos, Wasted money on unwanted infra (Hamba stadium not even having 1/10th full during matches, port with no ships etc). We pay for them sir.

iver Friday, 03 August 2012 08:02 AM

Same war song over and over again and sick of it now...I think still can't figure out anything beyond the war...

dev Friday, 03 August 2012 08:30 AM

Dear Maharajanani,

Its time to go for an election!!!

Potta Sunil Friday, 03 August 2012 09:17 AM

Attacking minority places of worships cannot be called "small incidents".

Dinithi Friday, 03 August 2012 10:22 AM

It is brutal. But it is smaller than dozens getting blown off by bombs and
shells daily.

Vattakka Friday, 03 August 2012 10:15 AM

Do you think Killing of Lasantha? Killing of Baratha ? Abuse of Foreigner in Tangalle ? White Van Saga? Jailing SF ? Sub stand Fuel ? Z-score Blunder these are minor incidents ? Kiriappata.....Kata Kata Sir

Shamini Friday, 03 August 2012 10:28 AM

Its time to have a new face in the Presidential mansion!

Kauda Boy Friday, 03 August 2012 10:27 AM

If those are small incidents, y can't u stop them? Must be easy nah? Just simple incidents ryt?

gonwansa Friday, 03 August 2012 10:56 AM

raping , killing , child abuse and attacking religious establishments are not minor crime ...

Vipula Wijayaratne Friday, 03 August 2012 11:22 AM

just did

kumudu Friday, 03 August 2012 11:40 AM

look children big and small is measured by inchers or centimetres or full hands.

Niranj Friday, 03 August 2012 11:28 AM

Don't talk nonsense u are the president of this country.small or big crime is a crime.

Political Illiterate Friday, 03 August 2012 12:26 PM

You are quite right, Sir. Well said.

Upul Gunawardena Friday, 03 August 2012 12:27 PM

Hey….. Wake up Mister President. Are you living in this world or somewhere else? Big or small CRIME is CRIME, and it’s your responsibility to make sure this country is a safe place for the people to live. Please do not give excuses. Get on….. And try to stop this menace.

Desilva Friday, 03 August 2012 01:07 PM

TRY GOING OUT ALONE IN THE STREETS OF SRILANKA WITHOUT YOUR GUARD OF HONOUR AND SEE HOW MANY CONCERNED CITIZENS WILL RAPE AND MURDER YOU.

jesus Friday, 03 August 2012 01:40 PM

Saman...yes he thinks so...

Janaki Kalansuriya Friday, 03 August 2012 01:45 PM

Mr. President. I hope you are reading this column! This will show you the actual feelings of the masses of Sri Lanka. A good eye opener for you to consider better management of your cronies and lackeys and to kennel the dogs. The comments and the "Positive and Negative" statements show how the results of the forthcoming elections would be, although we already know its outcome by the utterances of the ministers in public.

IBNUABOO Friday, 03 August 2012 02:21 PM

during the LTTE era there were no rapes ,robberies,child abuse,illegal liqor products,and white van panic in north east provinces

Silva Friday, 03 August 2012 02:40 PM

You are pathetic. Wonder what you would have said if it was your daughter.

ceylonI Friday, 03 August 2012 03:03 PM

Probably he is not living in SL

peeda mossa Friday, 03 August 2012 04:12 PM

I guess he is right, Saman, when he says that " Crime has not gone out of control in the country ". Probably crime is slowly taking control of the country.

dass Friday, 03 August 2012 04:33 PM

no comment.

ruwanwijesinghe Friday, 03 August 2012 04:29 PM

no words for me to comment,i would say you are great M.R

Rajan Friday, 03 August 2012 04:50 PM

Leaders must be an example for its' citizens. People tend to follow there leaders. That is why all happening.

Pularika Friday, 03 August 2012 04:47 PM

Kamba horu. What they steal is small. So thay cant see anything big beyond what they steal.

Pularika Friday, 03 August 2012 05:03 PM

Hariyata kiuwa machan

NR Friday, 03 August 2012 05:16 PM

Everthing is little to you. Because, you are doing big things? People feels these are not little. Sri Lanka is poor county although it has rich people. Majority are poor. Hence, little crime, curruption, bribe and government wastage are prevented.

GhostLanka1 Friday, 03 August 2012 08:29 PM

There are 3 IDIOTS who voted negatively to this comment that this incident is small, are they child rapists too????????

Sri Minnal Friday, 03 August 2012 08:39 PM

President, please clarify the petty ctmes. Do you mean to say shoot to kill is a perrty crime? Do you mean to say kidnapping in white van is a petty crime? Threatning a judge is a petty crime. Sir, you know very well there is no law and order is in our paradise.

Lal Suranjith Friday, 03 August 2012 09:43 PM

mouth also has become a miracle of Asia

Thanabalan Saturday, 04 August 2012 08:08 AM

This is like if a very small infection in testicles that will blown out of proportion.

Welusumana Saturday, 04 August 2012 08:47 AM

Dear sir. You cannot hide all your sins under the carpet of winning the war. Your regime is corrupted with too much family involvement and you have absolutely no governing skills as corruption and waste has gone beyond control . We witnessed horrible events of crime during past 6-12 months.For examples,Raping 14 year old girl, Duminda silva killing Premachandra etc. If as the head of the state, and a lawyer, you tend to proclaim that these are minor incidents,it is difficult to understand who you are trying to cheat. It is more honourable to say that there had been some rimes and we are taking actions against them appropriately. Don't play too much with public opinion and it is like playing with fire and these things will backfire against you ,if you continue to live with ignorance..

Citizen Saturday, 04 August 2012 11:56 AM

No wonder people try to go to aussie by boat risking their lives. The people in SL should be given visas to visit countries like aus or europe to see how their law and order is kept and also transportaion and governing. Talking about 'land like no other'...my A**.

Jagath Leanage Saturday, 04 August 2012 02:56 PM

All major incidents to us is minor to top people, because, they dont know the hard ships of common people.

Jagath Leanage Saturday, 04 August 2012 03:35 PM

You are right Mr.president. Thuggery, corruption , child mollestering, CPC issues, Education mis management , raping , etc., etc., are minor matters acording to your point of view.

Lasantha Pethiyagoda Saturday, 04 August 2012 04:19 PM

Reading the eighty odd comments so far on this thread, where the president had dismissed as insignificant and highly exaggerated, the crime figures for Sri Lanka, I feel that most writers do not agree with his remarks at the conclusion of the perahera.

What people must understand is that politicians have almost never been honest or public spirited, in the last three decades, and the level of dishonesty is making paradigm shifts upwards, where a politician will say anything to deceive, confuse, confound or mislead.

So, they should not take his comments seriously and instead work towards bringing the people's will back to power, and not allow small groups to run the country dry, somewhat like a game of tennis, where two major parties take turns at eating what's left..

Raj Saturday, 04 August 2012 05:12 PM

Most Sri Lankans ususly will

Manik Saturday, 04 August 2012 10:17 PM

A doctor on duty is attacked by a political thug and is this also a small incident?

Manik Sunday, 05 August 2012 03:46 AM

It is generally accepted that comments in these columns are made by fairly educated people. We can judge the popularity of the His Excellency the President by the comment that are made here.

sahdi Sunday, 05 August 2012 11:39 AM

PLEASE GET LOST FROM THE SEAT....

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Little incidents being blown out of proportion: President

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