Patriotism alone cannot cure country's crises

The Geneva human rights issue is pushing Sri Lanka into a crisis corner. The Rajapaksas are trying hard to exploit this situation to win votes in the upcoming
PC elections claiming that the Geneva-initiative is a 'conspiracy' against the Rajapaksas. The Geneva issue while having the potential in weakening the economy in Sri Lanka,  is also a direct affront to the ruling cabal in the country. The government has failed to manage this issue allowing it to blow into crisis proportions, that would probably result in the collapse of our economy. The Rajapaksas realise this, but their inability to contain the issue is evident in the increases in electricity bills and other living expenses of the common man. The government is dreading that the Geneva-issue and a resultant economic downturn that would spark a rising against the regime by the people.

It's time that we as a nation recognise the real danger facing us. The government is not educating the public on the possibility which is a great disservice to the country and her people. Allegations are being made that during the last days of the northern war, violations of human rights had been committed and lives destroyed. Not instituting timely action by way of legitimate and credible investigations, the government has damaged the country's image and stature. The rulers apparently think that such investigations would be traitorous to the country. It is not too late to acknowledge the futility and stupidity of a 'zero-casualty' propaganda in military operations.
The Kataragama Premawathie Manamperi and Krishanthi Coomaraswamy incidents were some past incidents that occurred during military operations. The truth about those incidents came out owing to legitimate and credible investigations made into the happenings. The international community is only asking for such a credible and legitimate inquiry.

The Kataragama incident was connected to the 1971 insurrection. There were protests even in London on the issue. The Sirimavo Bandaranaike government did not try to evade the allegations on the murder of the beauty queen. A criminal case was filed after a just and fair inquiry was held and those found guilty were punished. The rape and murder of Krishanthi Coomaraswamy was an allegation made against the then government. The incident happened in 1996 in the Kaithadi Army Camp in Jaffna. Amnesty International raised the matter. Chandrika Bandaranaike, the president then, did not evade the issue. A case was filed and after a just and fair inquiry the guilty were punished. The first incident took place in a Sinhalese-dominated area while the second occurred in a Tamil-dominated area. On both occasions, the leaders of the country protected the good name of the government and the nation by pursuing justice and law. Neither of these two incidents caused ethnic riots. Yet, the conduct of Mahinda Rajapaksa has shamed  the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.

The defence secretary who has become a spokesperson says that such inquiries would bring hardships to the soldiers. That is a ludicrous assertion.  Then why did they summon the Army commander who won the 30-year war against terror, before a military tribunal and castigate him? Was it done because General Fonseka became engaged in politics against the Rajapaksas? Sarath Fonseka suffered near-fatal injuries while being the Army commander. Furthermore, the Rajapaksa government is even trying to accuse the Indian Peace Keeping Force of war crimes. The IPKF came into this country to fight the LTTE on our behalf. They are also making allegations of war crimes against LTTE cadres living in Sri Lanka. The massacres of Buddhist monks and unarmed police officers were among the many crimes committed by the LTTE. But the irony is, that those who committed these crimes are roaming our streets quite freely while others are warming the exalted seats of the Cabinet of Ministers. One of them is a vice president of the SLFP. The defense secretary and the commander-in-chief must make a statement about these ironies. Keeping quiet won't help any reconciliation between the two ethnic groups.

Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP, a well-known terrorist and wanted by the world community, is being protected by the government. If soldiers have brought disrepute to their uniform and their units, they cannot be hailed as heroes. Every civilised society is duty-bound to find out whether its soldiers committed crimes or violated the law. Such expectations are enshrined in the Geneva Conventions. It is also the responsibility of the government. The aforementioned examples of the 1971 and 1996 incidents are valid and legitimate here. The rulers at that time did not whitewash the two incidents; but  upheld the law. It is no right or privilege of the present leaders to establish traditions that are injurious to the wellbeing of the country.  The alleged war crimes must be investigated thoroughly with no more delay. Such action cannot be construed as a conspiracy against our soldiers or a devaluation of the nation. The international community is pursuing us because we failed to abide by such valid and legitimate action. Such action can in no way be construed as a violation of our sovereignty.

During the 30 year war many Tamil villages were isolated and their inhabitants  displaced. It was our soldiers who provided the essential amenities and protection to them. Photographs that recorded our soldiers carrying rations in their helmets for distribution and carrying sick Tamil residents to the nearest medical post received wide publicity through the world media. It is therefore a gross insult to those compassionate soldiers when the government is refraining from absolving these men and women in uniform.

Incidents that took place during the dark days of the 1987-1989 era are being adjudicated in courts of law as of now. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the government to institute inquiries into the alleged ‘war crimes’ and clear our soldiers of such charges through transparent procedures because at no time have our soldiers behaved in an uncouth manner.  

Shooting unarmed civilians in Rathupaswela was a direct result of rulers issuing illegal orders to soldiers. The rulers must take full responsibility for not taking any action to investigate any alleged wrong-doings. The real crime has been committed by a handful of rulers who issued illegitimate orders and indulged in unbecoming conduct bringing dishonor and disrepute to the military.

All these allegations were by our own people, not by the international community. And they appear in the official LLRC Report. Inquiries should be made into these allegations. Disregarding them would lead us to be named a failed and anarchical state.

The impeachment of our 43rd chief justice, attacks on places of worship of non-Buddhists, intimidation and physical violence against media personnel and human rights activists were all incidents that took place after the 30-year war ended. A majority of these incidents took place outside the North and East and are very serious reflections on the government. Isn't it a signal that good governance is in danger?

All the country's crises cannot be overcome through patriotism. The Geneva crisis cannot be resolved through arrogance, idiocy, vituperative politics or a garrulous tongue. Major league players such as KP and others are engaged in making hay while the sun shines. The government's wayward conduct, shortsighted solutions, inflammable slogans, cynical innuendos have all contributed to the reasons why  the international community is looking at Sri Lanka with skewed eyes. Selling patriotism hidden behind political slogans cannot last. And everything cannot be and should not be used to trick the people to vote for the betel leaf.