Leading Academics, Intellectuals urge opposition parties:

Do not create political disorder, confusion

Rasika Somarathna

Several leading Academics\Intellectuals yesterday urged certain opposition elements not to create political disorder and confusion in the country by exerting undue pressure on the judiciary and by selling emotions to the public for the sake of politics.

While claiming that they had closely monitored the developing unrest, in the aftermath of the arrest of defeated Presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka by the Military Police, the Academics\Intellectuals noted that they had decided to make the public aware through the media that the latest developments were the result of unnecessary political interference.

They said that the Government should be allowed to uphold the rule of law and order within the country without exerting undue interference.

They also urged the public not to fall prey to elements who were trying to create unrest within the country and asked them to look at facts than suppositions, before committing themselves.

Addressing the Media at the Government Information Department Auditorium, University Grants Commission Chairman Prof. Gamini Samaranayake, said, today differing views are been expressed regarding the recently concluded elections and political developments in the aftermath of it.

“Certain elements are trying to mobilise the public and university students to cooperate in agitation campaigns against the Government. We don’t see any necessity for such happenings.

“We determine that the concluded election was entirely free and fair and also the arrest of Sarath Fonseka as legal and as such don’t see the necessity in agitating against the twin issues.

“As we had closely monitored the developments within the country both prior to the elections and in the aftermath we noted several developments which we thought was a threat to democracy. Although the opposition had democracy, good governance, discipline as their slogans, certain comments made by their common candidate were against these norms and fueled our suspicions,” he said.

Prof. Laksiri Fernando of the Colombo University said, the arrest of Sarath Fonseka on military grounds is not an isolated case. There have been several such experiences in the global sphere. Even in Sri Lanka in 1966, then Army Commander Richard Udugama was arrested and at that time no such unrest was instigated over the matter.

“Discipline is an essential component in the Army. So as the former Army Commander Fonseka should be aware more than anyone else that he should abide by the law. If he is found guilty of charges leveled against him then he should be dealt with in accordance with the law”.

“Now some are arguing that Sarath Fonseka cannot be tried under military law due to a six month term. But as for my knowledge for some charges the six month rule does not apply in military law”.

“I also think that the charge leveled against Fonseka that he was to betray the country over war crimes allegations is very serious. The media also reported that Sarath Fonseka sought advise from one of the JVP leaders when confronted with officials in the US while he was still serving in the military. This too if proven is a serious charge”.

“However, we cannot approve of protests which are conducted with the intention of exerting undue pressure on the judiciary”.

“As close observers of these developments for some time we see a hidden hand behind these moves which is trying to create unrest within the country. Some locals with vested interests, being backed by certain international players are behind these moves. This was evident both prior and in the aftermath of the polls,” Prof Fernando said.

Vice Chancellor of Uva-Wellassa University Dr. Chandra Embuldeniya said, If Fonseka had political ambitions, he should have forthwith resigned from his post in the Army. If he had engaged in politics while holding office it should be considered as a serious charge. In this instance we see that the Government had acted according to prevailing law.

Attorney Dr. Prathiba Mahanama Hewa of the Colombo University said, according to our Constitution a person could be arrested on grounds of reasonable doubts. If a person is wrongly charged then he can seek relief through relevant legal bodies.

“However, to arrive at pre-assumptions without examing the charges properly is wrong. In this country the rule of law is fair to everybody. If a section decides to agitate in front of the Supreme Court, I see it as challenging the Law. “As for the present attempt to create unrest in the country we see a hidden international hand behind the move which is working through it’s local agents. Though the LTTE has been defeated militarily, the diaspora which funded them is still active,” he said.

Dr. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa of the Kelaniya University said, Certain elements are trying to create a public opinion with the use of false propaganda. We saw this trend before and after the elections as well as in the aftermath of the Fonseka arrest.

“This is only an illusion to mislead the people created with the help of a small section of the media, international and local elements”. “We cannot allow the people to be fooled by such illusions which has been created with the ulterior motive of driving the country towards anarchy,” he said.

Vice Chancellor of Sri Jayawardenepura University Dr. N.L.A. Karunarathne said, No one is above the law and if some one has done any wrong deeds, they should be dealt in accordance with the law.

“However, in the recent unrest in the country we see a conspiracy at work which has the backing of certain international elements”.

“Some western countries which depend on arms sales for economic gains are trying to create unrest in other countries. Some of them also cannot stomach the economic rise of certain Asian countries”.

In the late 1940’s Sri Lanka’s per- capita GDP was second to none in Asia. But this was brought down mainly due to political instability. We should regain our former status and go beyond. We should not be the stooges of anybody,” Dr. Karunaratne said.