So much has been said and continues to be vociferously propounded about the virtues of democracy, and the word “democracy” is being used and mis-used at will. It is also conveniently used as a cover when there is a lack of an impressive or convincing argument to defend a particular position or cause.

One of the basic tenets of democracy is that it stands for the “greater good of the greater, majority”. It works on the tripod of consultation, compromise and consensus; this principle was eloquently propounded by the late President Premadasa himself. The aforesaid attributes of democracy do not appear to have been imbibed by his son Sajith, as would be observed from his virulent campaign against the decision to cremate Covid victims. The decision to cremate was taken purely on scientific grounds and was not partisan. Prevention is surely better than cure! Nothing is certain and what is pronounced today can be wrong years ahead, while the damage done in the meantime cannot possibly be undone. Those responsible will be no more. We have the problem of kidney patients as a result of polluted/contaminated water.

Perhaps, Sajith P has taken a leaf from Shakespeare’s epic “Julius Caesar”, where Mark Antony took the stage to delve into the passions of the mob with insidious lingo. The government on its part, like Brutus, strains every sinew and nerve to try and convince in vain the Muslim community of its sole intention, to wit – not that it loves them less but that it loves the living and generations to come more! Not that they don’t understand, but the politically-backed agenda is different!

That the whole issue has been politicised is quite plain to see, and Human Rights groups whose silence was deafening when Gaddafi was killed, kept for five days refrigerated and dumped into the sea secretly, is now up to their usual game in Sri Lanka, as they did in Geneva over the LTTE episode! The ‘modus operandi’ could be the same as in the Easter Sunday failed attempt – this time with the active open support of bankrupt opposition groups which has to be defeated at all costs. Democracy needs to be saved from hysterics and blood-thirsty, power-hungry elements masquerading as democrats!

The Catholic/Christian Stance

There appears to be a sinister attempt to project the view that the Roman Catholic and recognised Protestant Churches are also irked by the decision. This is far from the truth. They are by no means fundamentalists. If the RC Church had held some antiquated ideas or stipulations, Vatican II had made it more progressive. The order of prayer accommodates burial or cremation (“ashes to ashes, dust to dust …”). We are yet to see any objections raised by these relevant authorities. They should not be made to appear as having boarded the band-wagon of hatred.

I.P.C. MENDIS