Comments on: Sri Lanka Media Rights Group Expresses Concern Over String of Journalist Arrests

By: Naga UK

Naga UK — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:01:28 +0000

There are times in a politician’s life when he is obliged to take the wrong decision. Wrong economically, wrong industrially, wrong by any standard – except one. It is a curious fact that something which is wrong from every other point of view can be right politically. And something which is right politically does not simply mean that it’s the way to get the votes – which is- but also, if a policy gets the votes, then it can be argued that that policy is what the people want. And in a democracy, how can a thing be wrong if it is what the people will vote for?
- Jonathan Lynn & Anthony Jay (Yes Minister)

If what some people perceive the election victory in the east as a victory for democracy is real, then we are in for a democratic future that we have not even imagined hitherto. If most people of this country are more than willing to be brain-washed by repetition of all too familiar slogans then they deserve what they get. the journalists are becoming an endangered species in the process. How long can they get away with it ?

By: ilaya seran senguttuvan

ilaya seran senguttuvan — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:47:49 +0000

Until recently I thought such fascistic stuff only takes place in those Banana Republics of Latin America or those lawless States of Africa. Sad it comes to our country that – despite some flaws – remained a model democracy by the standards of a developing country until 3 years ago. My fear is if we will go the way of Zimbabwe – a strong, economically sound nation – that was ruined by one-time Socialist Mugabe. He cares tuppence what happens to a country of several millions where the rate of inflation – at the last count was – 26,000% Those fine gentlemen from the Organisation of African States refuse to take action against this degenerate dictator. The nepostic rule of the Rajapkse clan will soon take the people to famine.
Mark my words – by months end Rice will pass the Rs100/kg
mark: Sugar over Rs75; Parippu over Rs200: Halmessa/Rs200
Coconuts over Rs50: Petrol Rs150. That great wonderboy of
economics Bandula Gunawardena will say “What the hell can I do, men. Prices have gone up in the world market. Those Nattamis
(he thinks this is Tamil for Food Importers) are hand in glove with the UNP which is why they are refusing to bring prices down” And Cabral, the great Economic miracle worker will say “By end 2008 I will bring the rate of inflation to single digits.
Yes! I know I gave this assurance in 2006 but these b..g..rs
in the LTTE are not allowing me to do a job of work, can’t you see?”

By: Sam Thambipillai

Sam Thambipillai — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:19:22 +0000

Inspite of threats and arrests and murders of journalists in Sri Lanka, an article appearing in an English daily in Sri Lanka claims “however flawed our democracy may be, our country still remains a democracy and not a dictatorship and is one which is ruled with the consent of the people, further, we are fighting this war to remain that way.”

The fundamental principle of democracy is to accept that every citizen is equal. The people should be allowed to express and rule themselves at grass root level. There should be justice, protection and freedom of expression to all, without any discrimination whatsoever.

There was never democracy in Sri Lanka, What prevailed in Sri Lanka always was “Sinhalocracy”. The Sinhalese ruled over the Tamils, as if they were inequals, not deserving even their legitimate democratic rights.

In 1950’s when the Tamils democratically expressed their political desires by non violent methods, brutal force was unleashed by the armed forces of the state to nullify expression. Leaders were beaten up and our revered leader SJV Chelvanayakam was put under house arrest, for more than one year, with a view to humiliate and take away the dignity of him and the Tamils. Does this fall within any distant definition of democracy? No. It can fall only under a new category of rule called Sinhalocracy which embodies Sinhala autocratic arrogance over Tamils.

Shame on the leaders of the South, if they ever say that democracy was ever practiced after independence. There was only a democratic process of elections used but for the brutal rule of oppressive Sinhalocracy.