Attack on democracy

This week has been an eventful one for the media in this country. Not just the media, but the entire nation has been shocked by two major attacks on the media.

The Sirasa TV Main Control Room in Pannipitiya was destroyed in an attack by a group of armed men. A couple of days later, Editor of the Sunday Leader Lasantha Wickramatunga was shot dead.

As we write, full-scale investigations are under way into both these crimes. The Government, Opposition parties, diplomats and media organisations have all unequivocally condemned both incidents.

The freedom of expression is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of this country. Likewise, the people also have the right to information. These are essential components of a pluralistic democracy.

However, what the media report and comment on, may not be palatable to all. Indeed, there are many within and outside the media who do not personally like the reporting styles of both Sirasa TV and the Sunday Leader and the contents of their bulletins/articles.

Yet, no one can question their right to express those views and ideas. As Voltaire so aptly worded it three centuries ago “I do not like what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”.

Media freedom is one of the very foundations on which our democratic society is built. One may disagree with what is reported in the media.

In a functioning democracy, there are various mechanisms which help deal with such situations, including the Courts. Silencing or attempting to silence a media outlet or personality through the use of weapons is thus the ultimate act of cowardice.

As President Mahinda Rajapaksa stated in his message on the Wickramatunga killing, this heinous crime points to the grave dangers faced by the democratic social order of the country.

Any attack on the media is an attack on democracy itself. The President also noted the “existence of forces that will go to the furtherest extremes in using terror and criminality to damage our social fabric and bring disrepute to the country”.

The Government is very successfully dealing with one force that has been doing just that for nearly three decades - the LTTE.

The Security Forces are on a victorious march against the LTTE and this type of vicious attack in the South will only help those elements conspiring against the Sri Lankan nation and its resolute actions against terrorism.

Indeed, this has been pointed out as being one of the aims of those who wish to sow the seeds of instability in the South and tarnish the country’s image.

At this moment, it would not be prudent to speculate on the alleged perpetrators of these two crimes as some politicians and media outlets have already done. That is best left to the professional investigators.

They should expedite their investigations and bring the culprits to book as soon as possible regardless of their positions in society. The rule of law must prevail at all times for media freedom - and democracy - to thrive.

Saving cinnamon industry

Sri Lanka is the No. 1 cinnamon exporter in the world market. Its share is 80 per cent of the market. The financial crisis that has engulfed the world has resulted in the decrease of demand due to economic difficulties in Mexico and other cinnamon importing countries.

There is also a threat, at times like the present, from artificial products that claim to be substitutes for natural cinnamon. Therefore, it is imperative that our cinnamon industry has to be safeguarded. The Government, according to Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, has introduced a series of concessions.

Unlike other plantation crops, Cinnamon industry is largely in the hands of small and medium producers. The technology used is quite primitive.

It is sad to say that no government has made any serious attempt to upgrade cinnamon production technology and to train producers in modern methods of peeling the bark off cinnamon branches. Nor has there been any considerable technological improvement in the extraction of cinnamon oil or in the production of other by-products.

While relief packages in the form of subsidies may help to overcome temporary problems, they would not be adequate. The only remedy against drop in prices is to improve the productivity by introducing new and better technology.

This would also involve generous R & D outlays. It is not within the capabilities of the small and medium entrepreneurs and small peasant producers to fund such large capital outlays. Hence, it is the responsibility of the Government.