Maintaining law and order

Incidents of unrest and violence in some areas of the country are both seemingly baffling and a cause for worry. We say that these incidents are seemingly baffling because they are usually causatively linked with social conditions and could be accounted for on the basis of the latter although at a superficial glance they may seem to be clothed in mystery. No one with the country's interests at heart could be happy about these social trends and that is the reason why they should be considered a source of worry.

Sunday's incidents in Puttalam were particularly disturbing in that a traffic policeman, a symbol of the law, was done to death by some enraged persons. Afterwards, in a separate incident in the same district, an angry mob had attacked a group of policemen, thereby pointing to a steep decline in the law and order situation in the area. Prior to these developments, incidents of the same nature were reported from other areas of the country.

In all these disturbing events the 'Grease Monster' myth has figured very prominently. Attacks on persons and personnel who are seen by some sections as hate figures are, apparently, justified on the grounds that they are 'Grease Yakas' who are out to strike terror into the hearts of the ordinary citizenry. That is, those who have a vested interest in lawlessness are galvanizing impressionable sections of the people into attacking perceived hate figures and are disrupting the peace by identifying them with the mythical 'Grease Yaka'. In other words, a creature of the imagination becomes a convenient tool in the hands of demagogues sowing divisions, for the purpose of stirring collective hatreds among emotional and highly-strung people. The result is a divided society.

We are not saying that these destabilizing trends are dangerously deepening in Sri Lanka. However, there seem to be moves in some quarters to take this country in that direction. Needless to say, these incipient, surreptitious moves should be stalled and ended forthwith. The law should take control and remain in control.

The killing of the policeman on Sunday is sufficient proof that the crippling of law and order is an aim of these destabilizing forces. It would be in the interests of all to ensure the defeat of these subversive forces. We think we are justified in saying it loud and clear that 'Grease Demons' and the like are only the figments of some diseased minds. They only a mere cover for those who are trying to ensure that Sri Lanka does not return to a state of complete normalcy.

It is the duty of the citizenry at this juncture to aid the state in maintaining law and order. This is our bounden duty because an inability to do so would only be an incentive to those who are seeking to take this country to the brink of lawlessness and beyond.

It was only last Sunday that President Mahinda Rajapaksa took an easy and casual stroll in the salubrious climes of Independence Square in the heart of Colombo, without his security retinue, thereby proving that Sri Lanka is on a safe course to normalcy and relaxed living. It is the duty of all to ensure that this progress into normalcy continues uninterrupted.

Unfortunately, there are sections in society that are prone to be credulous and superstitious. The chances are that these sections would play into the hands of those who are seeking to sow the seeds of lawlessness in this country. It is for these reasons that Minister Felix Perera's moves to form a widely representative committee to probe misleading and dangerous popular myths, superstitions and fears that lead to social instability should be warmly welcomed. While these popular fixations and fears have law and order implications, they are also a cloak for shady businesses of numerous kinds. The latter should serve as an added incentive to expose the true motives of those who have a vested interest in keeping baseless beliefs and misleading myths alive.

However, a healing process that would cement unity among our communities is the long term answer to our worries. It is for these reasons that we support the formation and sustenance of Civic Committees all over our country. As earlier pointed out, these bodies should be charged with the task of proactively fostering harmony and unity among all sections in Sri Lanka and this responsibility needs to be considered a priority.