Perpetrators of Monday mayhem must be held accountable

9 May will go down in history as a landmark day for many reasons. It was a day of triumph for a united peaceful protest against a corrupt regime that ignored good governance and sound economic policy. It marked the exit of Sri Lanka’s modern political patriarch, a king maker for some and a tyrant for others. The same day also saw an outpouring of violence, even to some extent organised vandalism, following politically-influenced merciless attack on peaceful protesters and destruction at the epicentre of anti-Rajapaksa campaign the Gogotagama at Galle Face, Colombo.

By yesterday, the incidents resulted in nine people dead and around 300 hospitalised along with over 100 houses and vehicles either fully or partially burnt.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last night in his address to the nation strongly condemned “without prejudice the original incident which led to these events”. He said the IGP has been instructed to initiate investigations. “However, the series of murders, assaults, intimidation, and destruction of property that followed cannot be justified. From the moment this incident took place, I have been taking steps to control the situation in the country with the involvement of the Secretary of Defence, the Chiefs of the Armed Forces,” a seemingly remorseful Rajapaksa said.

However, the President’s sincerity wouldn’t have been questioned if he had ensured authorities had indeed taken action against the Senior DIG in charge of Western Province Deshbandu Tennakoon whose instructions to political goons to attack innocent GGG occupants was video recorded and widely circulated in social media. The irony is that Police nevertheless was quick to arrest two suspects for assaulting Tennakoon on Tuesday. There is also a strong view that the instigator of the violence however was former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa along with MP Johnston Fernando who roused supporters.

It was reported that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has summoned a group of security officials including the former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security division Director and the Kollupitiya Police OIC to record statements in connection with Monday’s attacks on unarmed ‘MinaGoGama’ and ‘GotaGoGama’ protesters.

It is the responsibility of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, under the leadership of Saliya Peiris PC, which has become a beacon of hope of late, to ensure justice is meted out efficiently.

BASL sets four demands to ensure accountability to Monday’s violence:

On Tuesday BASL insisted on the immediate arrest according to law of all persons who instigated, conspired to unleash the violent mob from Temple Trees and participated in the said violence – irrespective of the positions they held in the Government or of their family connections. Immediate travel bans are obtained against such persons by the Police.

It also called for a comprehensive investigation into the attacks on peaceful protesters opposite Temple Trees and at Galle Face as well as perpetrators of other violence too to be investigated, arrested, and dealt with according to law.

The need for an independent inquiry into the failure of the authorities including the Sri Lanka Police to prevent and restrain the mob violence including that which was unleashed from Temple Trees was also emphasised by BASL which reiterated its commitment to uphold the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights in the country.

There is commendation for the Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam PC as well for swiftly ordering the IGP to conduct a full investigation into attacks on protesters and complete the investigation on an urgent priority basis. As Rajaratnam said, Monday’s violence has far reaching domestic and international ramifications.

Irrespective of latest twists in the political landscape with former foes pledging allegiance, the civil society will certainly hold the current and future regime for due justice against the perpetrators of Monday’s mayhem. An eyewash will certainly be costly going forward.