Arresting the culture of violence

Politically-motivated violence or a riot is a form of civil disorder characterised often by what is thought of as disorganised groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. A riot could also be due to a perceived grievance or out of dissent.

Political violence was seen in ample measure in the Nazi Germany. Germany had a very literate society yet there was widespread sympathy for the Nazi cause.

Professor J.P. Stern in his book ‘Hitler – The Fuhrer and the People’ raises a pertinent question as to how a predominantly sober, hardworking, and well-educated nation could be persuaded to follow Hitler and his inhuman and destructive programs.

There is no doubt people have lost faith in the law and order mechanism in Sri Lanka. Violence was seen in Angulana – against Police brutality, Mulleriyawa – against competing rivals at an election, Tangalle – violence directed at a tourist couple and also at a political party, Dambulla – over religious sentiments, at prisons – for various reasons and in Mannar – violence seems to have been instigated by a Minister; there is a catalogue of incidents

There were even prominent intellectuals who supported Hitler and his policies but it was not clear whether they were cowed into submission through coercive tactics or on their own volition.

Mob violence

We have seen enough of such mob violence in Sri Lanka lately. Why have people resorted to violence to achieve their goals? There is no doubt people have lost faith in the law and order mechanism in Sri Lanka.

Mob violence could take place when there is an instigation or on a spontaneous reaction over an acute injustice. Violence was seen in Angulana – against Police brutality, Mulleriyawa – against competing rivals at an election, Tangalle – violence directed at a tourist couple and also at a political party, Dambulla – over religious sentiments, at prisons – for various reasons and in Mannar – violence seems to have been instigated by a Minister; there is a catalogue of incidents.

It is unfortunate that functions of the Judiciary, the last vestige of hope for the citizens, have ground to a screeching halt in protest over the Mannar incidents. The whole world is watching the maladies that affect Sri Lanka. This is in detriment to the already fractured credibility of the Government.

Historically, riots have taken place due to poor working or living conditions, oppression, high taxation, forcible conscription, animosity and hatred between ethnic groups, acute shortage in food supply or desecration of religious doctrines/sites, outcome of a sporting event such as football or cricket hooliganism and frustration with legal channels through which to air grievances.

Where is the advice of the Cabinet of Ministers?

There are serious issues the Government must take cognisance of. It has a huge jumbo size Cabinet of Ministers. The Cabinet agenda must have topics on the law and order situation. It cannot turn a blind eye when the citizens take the law unto themselves.

Why should the public pay for such an ineffectual Cabinet of Ministers? The role of the Cabinet is to discuss the matters that affect the even tempo of the community and find solutions. If it cannot function it is a dead Cabinet worthy of being scorned by the law abiding citizens of this country.

Finding a panacea for violence in society does not per se fall on the Government; the media too plays a very crucial role. One report (National Television Violence Study 1997 – a US based report) states that “by age 18 (in the US) the average child would have witnessed at least 18,000 simulated murders on television”. Would it be high time a similar national survey was conducted on the impact of television in Sri Lanka?

Election violence

There has been violence during elections where political parties resorted to violence. Where does the root cause lie? The political elections under Proportional Representation (PR) seem to have had a drastic effect on the personal involvement of the candidates in order to secure their election.

The elections under PR centre on the preferential votes and this has enhanced competition among candidates even within one’s own political party, whereas under the first past the post system, only the party agenda gained prominence.

This has resulted in a rat race where a tremendous amount of money has to be spent to buy votes and in some cases violence or the threat of violence has worked in favour of candidates.

The Commonwealth Secretariat issuing a statement on election violence said: “Overall, there are starkly contrasting aspects to the electoral process in Sri Lanka. There is an experienced and professional election administration that strives to properly manage the process of voting and counting. However, there is a compromised pre-election environment, including the election management body unable to fully ensure respect for the rule of law; a failure of some state institutions to respect legal provisions and guidelines; infractions of some campaign regulations; and, incidences of violence. Until such problems are addressed the electoral process in Sri Lanka will not fully meet key benchmarks for democratic elections.”

State of Buddhism in

Sri Lanka

Let’s consider the moral situation in Sri Lanka. Buddhism has prevailed here for over 2,600 years and preaching of Buddhist philosophy is still in vogue, especially in schools, on TV and on Poya days.

However, the majority of the people seem to have ignored the values enshrined in Buddhist teachings. The level of violence unleashed in our society is beyond comprehension. How could a country with predominantly Buddhists give a free rein to so much violence? Does this have a direct bearing on the mentality of a 30-year war?  Does this have anything to do with our economy? Is the cost of living unbearable and do people resort to dubious means to achieve monetary benefits to counter inflation?

When we say there is a surge in violent activities, it does not mean that the surge is only in violence. There is indeed a marked surge in finding short cuts to wealth, treasure hunting, bribery, drug smuggling, contract killing and serials killings – all leading to a wider social malady, for which reasons must be sought and solutions must be found. This situation will have a destabilising effect on the country as a whole. In this backdrop, who would believe it if we describe Sri Lanka as the ‘Wonder of Asia’?

(The writer is a freelance journalist and a political lobbying and government relations consultant.)