Aluthgama Riots; Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied
By Mass L. Usuf -March 26, 2015
Mass L. Usuf
“While it is difficult to claim with authority as to who was behind these riots, it is important to note that the signs of organization and orchestration were evident. The transportation provided for looted goods, the weapons that the attackers had at 6.30 pm, their access to glass bottles, petrol, and long sticks and iron rods and lengths of bicycle chains, the pieces of metal canisters that we saw and photographed, dispel any possibility of a spontaneous conflagration”. (Report on Aluthgama riots and its aftermath. Law & Society Trust, December 2014).
A disgraceful account indeed of a systematic and orchestrated spate of violence on the 15th and 16th of June 2014. Further reading revealed the outrageous complicity of the preachers and the protectors. Here is an eyewitness’ narration :
“First there was one group that came and this group was led by two monks. They threw stones and broke all the windows of the house. Then 15 minutes later another group arrived. Then a few minutes later, a third group came. They were the worst, they broke and smashed and burnt down everything. Later when we were trying to put out the fires there was another group that came – a group of young boys – maybe 15 years old. The STF chased them away. There were others who came with their faces covered and took the stuff from the houses put them into bags and carried them out.
The witness also stated that the STF was in the vicinity and when he ran to ask for assistance when the house was burning he was told that they had come for some other work and could not help him. He had gone once more and he was told, (Malli Umbalah karagaththu deval umbala bala ganilla). “Malli, these are things that you created, so sort it out yourselves.” (ibid).
Monks and the Police
A qualitative analysis draws an amazing contrast! The people normally trust their preachers and take them as their guides. The above account is the consequence of the so called “guidance” given to the people by the racist and inflammatory speech by Ven. Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thero. Shockingly there were also monks who led the mobs of destruction and killings. Monks whose wish is “sukhino vā khemino hontu” meaning, “May all beings be happy and safe”. The preachers who follow the four immeasurables (Brahmavihara) :metta (loving kindness), karuna (compassion), mudita (sympathetic joy or empathy) and upekkha(equanimity). Right in the centre of the theatre was the Police force whose Mission according to their Website is, “Sri Lanka Police is committed and confident to uphold and enforce the law of the land, to preserve the public order, prevent crime and Terrorism with prejudice to none – equity to all”.Read More