Provocation and retaliation in Sugeeshwara’s incident

The incident involving Sugeeshwara Bandara and the so-called “shit attack” that followed his protest outside the Finance Ministry Secretary’s residence is a worrisome trend in Sri Lankan politics. Sri Lanka was notorious for political violence at one point. However, the country’s image has improved  since, and violence was almost absent at recent elections.

What makes it worse this time   is that both sides involved in this incident have serious responsibilities for what happened.

Sugeeshwara Bandara’s actions cannot be ignored or justified. He went to protest outside the private home of a senior government official. That is not a normal or acceptable place for a political protest. He tried to be in the limelight. It is a publicity stunt.

 In a democracy, people have the right to protest, but there are limits. Public offices, public spaces and official platforms are the proper places for such actions. When protests are taken to private homes, it crosses a line and becomes personal pressure rather than public protest.

It is also difficult to believe that Sugeeshwara did not expect some kind of confrontation. In today’s political environment, such actions are often done with media attention in mind. Many politicians know that dramatic protests bring visibility. So, it is fair to say that his action was provocative. It created a tense situation that could easily get out of control.

However, what followed is far more serious and cannot be defended under any circumstances. If it is true that people linked to or supported by the government attacked him and used human waste against him,  that is completely unacceptable. It is not political discipline. It is not law and order. It is humiliation and abuse.

No matter how provocative a protest is, the response must be lawful and controlled. A government cannot allow or tolerate such behaviour. When people are attacked in this way, it damages not only the victim but also the image of the state. 

 The JVP-led government, which often speaks about clean politics and discipline, must take this seriously. It cannot stay silent or give unclear answers. It must clearly say whether any of its supporters or members were involved. If they were, action must be taken immediately. If they were not, the government must still ensure a proper and transparent investigation. 

At the same time, this incident also exposes a wider problem in Sri Lankan politics. Both government and opposition actors often use confrontational methods. Instead of respectful debate, there is shouting, blaming, and staging of dramatic protests. This kind of politics creates tension and increases the chance of conflict.

Going to a private residence for protest is not responsible behaviour. It is more about creating a scene than solving an issue. What we are seeing here is a cycle. One side provokes, the other side reacts, and the situation escalates. In this case, it went too far and became humiliating and violent. This cycle is damaging democracy in Sri Lanka. 

 There is also a serious failure of responsibility from those in power. Even if the government did not directly order or support the attack, it still has a duty to prevent such things. Allowing supporters or groups to take matters into their own hands is a failure of governance. 

On the other hand, opposition figures also need to act more responsibly. If every protest is designed to provoke or attract attention, then politics becomes a game of conflict rather than discussion. That is not good for the country,  either. Leaders must think about the impact of their actions, not just the publicity they receive.

This incident should be a warning. Sri Lanka cannot afford to normalise this kind of behaviour. Humiliation, street violence, and political revenge are not signs of a healthy democracy. They are signs of a broken one.

Both Sugeeshwara Bandara and the JVP-led government need to reflect seriously. One side must avoid reckless and provocative protests. The other side must ensure discipline, accountability, and respect for the law. Without that, incidents like this will continue, and public trust in politics will keep falling.

In the end, this is not just about one protest or one attack. It is about the kind of politics Sri Lanka wants. If politics continues in this direction, it will become more hostile, more personal, and more dangerous.