Ruwan’s ‘tube lights’ about ‘Ava’ ignite
Nov 17, 2016
Law and order and southern development minister Sagala Ratnayake told parliament yesterday (15) that 62 members of the ‘Ava’ group have been identified and that 38 of them are already in custody. He said so in response to a question raised by MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and he went onto say that among the arrested is a youth who had served in the Army. Commenting on this, defence state minister Ruwan Wijewardena said claims of a military link to the ‘Ava’ group could not be disregarded.
Exposure
It is only now the defence state minister’s ‘tube lights’ have started igniting. On October 27, Lanka News Web revealed that the group of thugs named ‘Ava’ was formed by Maj. Gen. Mahinda Haturusinghe during the previous Rajapaksa regime. Later, cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne told the cabinet media briefing that ‘Ava’ has been formed with the knowledge of former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
Being Babyish and Gota’s excuse
As usually, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa responded by saying the military had not connection with ‘Ava.’ And, that he said like a baby that the state minister’s remark was an insult to the military. Since no one accepts setting a thief to catch a thief, we do not take Gotabhaya’s statement seriously. But, then ‘Yahapaalana’ government appointee northern provinces governor Reginald Cooray and Ruwan Wijewardena came to Gotabhaya’s rescue. They repeatedly said the military had nothing to do with the ‘Ava’ group. Ruwan Wijewardena who parachuted into the defence ministry might not know how to rescue the big fish, but the previous Rajapaksa regime used the military to commit numerous illegal acts. Not only the military, it had also maintained several paramilitary groups too. Then, those who tried to expose these had to taste the revenge of the Medamulana thugs. Every time a link was talked about between the military and crimes, what the ex-Rajapaksa regime brings forward is the paying of homage to war heroes and patriotism. But, the people who were not blinded by war mentality and were in their true senses will know that the Rajapaksas did not remember the dignity of those war heroes and patriotism when they used the military to get their dirty work done.
Those who try to cover up the crimes committed by the military are worried not about the average soldiers who had followed the orders, but about the top officials who gave the orders. Especially Gotabhaya is trying to escape responsibility. If Ruwan and Reginald are not babies, they should understand that it would be Gotabhaya and other top level criminals and conspirators who would escape through their deeds.
Betraying the law for morale
When even the country’s president is trying to give impunity to the military members by preaching about their morale, minister Rajitha Senaratne should be commended for appearing on behalf of the exposure of the truth. We may have criticisms about minister Senaratne’s other political work, but his role to protect the basic democratic principal that everyone is equal before the law and not allowing a weakening of the supremacy of the law in order to keep the morale of a select few, should be appreciated.
Also, the attempt by the president to nurture Sinhala supremacist war mentality, instead of keeping the promises given to the people at elections to establish law and peace, equality, reconciliation, and the conduct of the prime minister who is powerless to oppose it and the hilarities of their henchmen followers should be opposed alike.
LNW intends to bring to you a detailed report about ‘Ava’ group soon.
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