Thuggery (Chandikama) as a Method of Intimidation, Bullying and Harassment in the South

• by Dr. Siri Gamage 
• - on 12/31/2014 

Use of thugs ‘chandiyas’ or ‘marayas’ by those in authority has its roots in the colonial period. Later, Sinhalese politicians adopted this method in village level politics spreading into urban locales. It is a method used to control public opinion and behaviour, more importantly to submerge alternative viewpoints and behaviour and divert the popular will in the direction of those in authority by using physical force, fear and the like. The only way to counter such acts of intimidation, thuggery, bullying and harassment is to organise those with alternative viewpoints into collectives or action-groups and resist while educating the public. This paper argues that perhaps it is time to set up a Nelum Balakaya (NB) to spread the message about the need for democratic freedoms, good governance and rule of law.
Thuggery (Chandikama) as a Method of Intimidation, Bullying and Harassment in the South by Thavam Ratna