Gajendrakumar’s arrest is unequal treatment of individuals, communities: NPC

14 June 2023 03:59 pm - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The arrest of Jaffna parliamentarian and leader of the Tamil National People’s Front Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam is another incident that feeds into the sense of unequal treatment of individuals and communities in the country, the National Peace Council (NPC) of Sri Lanka said.

"The parliamentarian was accused of obstructing police officers from performing their duties. The incident arose when MP Ponnambalam challenged two persons in civvies who came in unannounced at a meeting he was having with his constituents in a public park who declined to divulge their identity.This incident has revived sentiments within the Tamil community that they are treated differently and less favourably than others, they said in a statement.

"The surveillance of political and civil society activities in the north and east of the country is a common practice which the people in those parts find offensive and intimidating.There is a sense of helplessness of people in the face of a large presence of uniformed personnel armed with guns, cameras and legal authority even fourteen years after the end of the war which is indicative of the need win their hearts and minds to ensure national security, if that is the government’s concern. The National Peace Council calls on the government to treat the people of the north and east no differently from those in the rest of the country as equal citizens entitled to the same human rights

The fact that a political leader from the minority Tamil community was arrested when his counterparts in parliament have been treated with deference despite their misbehaviours brings in the ethnic dimension which has been a long term and fatal flaw in the Sri Lankan body politic. The arrest of parliamentarian Ponnambalam is indicative of the unequal application of the law and begs the question, one country one law or one country two laws. This is a phenomenon that is seen increasingly in the government’s use and misuse of the ICCPR Act (meant to give effect to the world’s foremost human rights instrument—the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) to prosecute those who offend the sensibilities of the majority community, and ruling politicians, but not the reverse," the statement added.

The National Peace Council urged the government to establish an equality and pluralism commission in keeping with the 21st Amendment to ensure that there is equal treatment and non-discrimination in all walks of life.

"We also urge the holding of the long-postponed provincial council elections and full implementation of the 13th Amendment so that police and land powers may be assigned as per the constitution and to train government officials including the police in the values of pluralism and inclusive service delivery to minimize the possibility of high-handed behavior of state officials based on ethnicity and religion. Such an institutional arrangement can increase the trust between the state and the people and also represent the values of the country beyond our shores," they said

Comments - 9

Ram Wednesday, 14 June 2023 04:39 PM

We see the arrogance of our President

What is our priority? Wednesday, 14 June 2023 05:12 PM

Immediately after Germany was defeated in the 2nd world war, it was in a very difficult plight, with winners making difficult demands and trying to throttle Germany. There was no money for anything. German workers unions decided to support the nation to face the situation. They offered to forego a % of their wages to help their nation. After several years, Germany became economically strong. Then the Unions went back to rulers, demanding that they be compensated for their sacrifices. It was success story afterwards. The nation, people and Government flourished. This was revealed to us, when a trade union leader from Germany visited SL on a lecture tour. But we are bickering for crumbs, without the slightest worry about the nation. Even in this dry period, we want election! What kind of people are we?

Mageswaran K Wednesday, 14 June 2023 05:26 PM

Well said, however being an expat from Jaffna, I have observed, by nature people from Jaffna are quite confrontational, argumentative and arrogant. The culture of Tamils was destroyed during the war, with majority of educated leaving the peninsula. Only solution is to have the police deal with them with iron fist without corruption or favoritism.

Nadaraja Wednesday, 14 June 2023 06:02 PM

Even though you have a Tamil name, people like you with hate for Jaffna Tamils are either Batticaloa Tamils or Estate Low Caste Up Country Indian Tamils. Even though we Jaffna Tamils have political differences with the Sinhalese, socially we have more in common with the Sinhalese than with people like you from Batticaloa or Up Country Estates.

Sivalingam Thursday, 15 June 2023 07:53 AM

Stop spreading racism and misleading ordinary Tamils. Elite Tamils are controlling the economy.

Kabir Hashim Thursday, 15 June 2023 07:55 AM

Kandiah Balendran and Krishan Balendran are silent while the racist Tamil politicians stoke racism among ordinary Tamils. Forgot Kasturi.

Born again Thursday, 15 June 2023 07:57 AM

Tamils rule Colombo, only 20% of Colombo are Sinhalese.

S.Siva Thursday, 15 June 2023 08:59 AM

The policemen wanted to be worshipped. This attitude needs a radical change. I hope the court process enforces a financial penalty on the offending party

Jeevaratne Hulla Thursday, 15 June 2023 03:04 PM

The MP in his own home turf could act like a hero and use derogatory language at a police officer and eat humble pie in Colombo. Hillarious isn't it? Does that promote peace and harmony or give an example of rightful behaviour to the general public?

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Gajendrakumar’s arrest is unequal treatment of individuals, communities: NPC

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