Is it Wonder of Asia or mania?

18 July 2012 06:30 pm - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

By Vijitha Herath
The Rajapaksa Government echoes that Sri Lanka is stepping towards the Wonder of Asia. The definition of the term Wonder of Asia does not seem to have circulated within the government itself. In the absence of a clear-cut definition on Wonder of Asia it appears that the characters within the government have resorted to pronounce their definitions as they deem fit.

In terms of the definition outlined by the Urban Council Chairman of President’s very own hometown Tangalle, it is the liberty of shooting and killing UK borne fiancé and raping a Russian beauty. A member of Provincial Council, Tangalle spells it out as the freedom of raping a 14-year-old damsel who approached in search of a way of living. When it is drilled further by the Chairman, Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha it appears to have unearthed as an opportunity enjoyed by raping a girl at a cock-tail party which is said to have been conducted to mark the abusing of hundreds of women. To Julampitiya Amare, who haunts the Medamulana area it is the liberty of the murdering, extortion, assaulting opposition political rallies and shooting, it is a futile effort to keep on defining Wonder of Asia furthermore in this context as it paves the way only for an unnecessary length of this note.

Deputy Minister, Sarana Gunawardana was seen on a TV programme while he was associated with a function at ‘Temple Trees’ at a time when he was charged with an allegation of abduction of a girl. The Chief Minister Western province Prasanna Ranathunga made a complaint to the President that Sarana Gunawardana has solicited an extortion of Rs. 50,000 from a businessman in Gampaha to issue a permit for a filling station and Prasanna Ranatunga is not from the opposition. It is a different story that the request for extortion was made through his official telephone. It is also a well-known fact that Sudharman Radaliyagoda functions as a head of a certain state television channel and also he is the SLFP Organiser Colombo (Central) but on the other hand has been issued with a warrant for his involvement in a scrapped iron transaction case and also absconding without encountering those persons who gave him money for sending personnel abroad. Murder charges against Chandana Kaththriarachchi who is Kesbewa SLFP organiser was withdrawn under the patronage of the Attorney General. The adviser to the President on trade union affairs, Bharatha Lukshman Premachandra was assassinated. Duminda Silva who is suspected of shooting has not yet been cited as a suspect is receiving treatment safely in a foreign land. Even as a joke, no one has heard under whose direction some Special Task Force soldiers were permitted treasure hunting. The STF soldiers were taken into custody by the villagers. It is an exhaustive exercise to expose more details of cadres who have been blessed thus.

What is the example set by the government to its supporters, well-wishers and neighbours of the supporters through all those incidents? The only example set is that impunity waits always for the support that violates laws of the land.

A person learns a lot through a passage of experience than going through books. The example set by the Rajapaksa government from top to bottom is of this sort. Very recently, a journalist was threatened with death and scolded using inappropriate language by the Secretary to the Defence Ministry Gotabaya Rajapaksa when he was contacted by this particular media person seeking clarifications on a certain matter. One may have his own reservations on news items published in this particular newspaper and also the journalists have the right not to comment on reports they published. Scolding a person using slang and declaring oppressive action is completely a different matter. At a time, the behaviour of such a government officer comes to light in such a way there is no reason for someone to be surprised over the utterance of Julampitiya Amare to stab the journalists and get bowels out of belly, exceeding the limits of “wonder.” Setting a media organisation on fire, assault on a journalist and disappearance of a journalist also should be understood by the public in this context.

It is not by chance that even politicians at ground level assume that they can get away if they become a suspect after committing any kind of an unlawful act by merely giving a telephone call to the Attorney General or Inspector General of Police, as they were already provided with enough instances.

They are well aware about the fact that the Attorney General’s Department is under ‘their president’ and even the Police Department was taken under the direct purview of the President under the 18th Amendment.

Former Attorney General Mohan Pieris at a UN human rights body claimed disappeared journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda is safely living in a foreign land just to salvage the government. Then again when he was asked to appear before the Homagama Magistrate, he claimed to have forgotten the name of the intelligence officer who disclosed the earlier information.

The director of the Media Centre for National Security Lakshman Hulugalle tried his level best to project the killing in Katuwana was not committed by Julampitiye Amare. However, at the end Amare surrendered to the courts probably because he was ashamed of what happened! Most of the government officials attempt to protect the government setting aside the dignity of the posts they are holding because, that is their notion of the Wonder of Asia.

While those attached to the government from the top brass to grassroots are losing track of the concept of the Wonder of Asia, the general public viewed it as the collapse of social ethics and law and order in the country.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 8

nisal Thursday, 19 July 2012 05:18 AM

Come or go Make hay while the sun shines is the declared policy!

P.L.J.B.Palipana Thursday, 19 July 2012 10:24 AM

VERY SAD INDEED!

MS Thursday, 19 July 2012 11:29 AM

VERY SAD.. its we (People) who did this mistake

Iqbal Thursday, 19 July 2012 07:54 PM

The author rightly expressed many wrong doings of the government or its supporters in the South but many more atrocities were committed by white vans, paramilitaries and military.

kumar Friday, 20 July 2012 04:17 AM

It could end up as 'Blunder of Asia!'

Sam Friday, 20 July 2012 07:04 AM

Please do not slinging mud.

nizam zakeer Friday, 20 July 2012 03:42 PM

It will never become so until people change their attitudes

Hussain Friday, 20 July 2012 08:52 PM

"In a democracy, people get the government they deserve,"

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Is it Wonder of Asia or mania?

Comments - 8

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

New Visa procedure implemented

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Train fails to halt, crashes onto Colombo Fort platform

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

SL took minimal steps to punish officials who committed human rights abuses: US report

Iranian President’s visit Sri Lanka withstands western pressure

25 tons of solid waste disposed along Sri Pada route

Temperature rises to ‘Caution’ level

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident

Indian cricket manager indicted for Legend Cricket League match-fixing allegations