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Ending the cultureof death

The large majority of citizens of this country who are peace-loving and non-aggressive are likely to hope that the present decrease in the polls-linked restlessness and violence - now that campaigning is over - would be indefinitely prolonged. A trouble-free poll and post-election peace is bound to be their heartfelt wish.

It is not realised enough that the violence affecting this country is the product of a few volatile and misguided hot-heads. Such brutality is certainly not being condoned by the majority of the people who prefer to operate within civilised norms. These points should be borne in mind by particularly Western election observers, in assessing the popular mood and ascertaining the sources of political violence.

Facts and figures speak for themselves in this connection. Over the past few days, sections of the privately-owned media have been conjuring horror stories about polls-related violence and its results in particularly the provinces. They have been at pains to point out that the main culprits for the death and destruction have been the PA. However, the casualty figures received up to Sunday evening clearly indicate that of the 17 polls-linked deaths, 12 are those of PA supporters. This is proof that the PA has been the main recipient rather than the perpetrator of the election violence thus far. This is also evidence that UNP polls activists have not been exhorted to desist from violence by their leaders and organisers.

Election-related casualties have, therefore, been interpreted misleadingly by opposition spin-doctors who are hoping to win popular sympathy.

The violence, however, from whichever quarter it emanates has to be condemned and we join the general public in calling on all political parties and their supporters to keep the peace in the days ahead, irrespective of the circumstances. May this heart cry of the people be heeded.

The unprecedented polls violence reminds us once again of the degree to which local society has been brutalised and rendered degenerate. This is the essential backdrop to the lawlessness we are witnessing. The reality of violence and crime points to the urgency of bringing healing and wholeness to Sri Lanka. This is a task future governments cannot afford to ignore. Come what may, the healing of Sri Lanka should be considered a national priority.

If the demilitarisation of Lanka doesn’t receive the attention it deserves, we could be sure that this country would remain mired in the present culture of death where the bomb and the bullet hold sway.

• Editorial of  The Observer - 3.12.2001:
  Puritanism vs common sense
  

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