New wave of non-violent terrorism

What is the terrorism we are facing today?Is it anything like the JVP’s terrorism in 1971, and the next wave of the 1987-89 JVP insurrection, also known as the 1988-89 revolt?

There are many of us who can still recall the terror that took place against the Tamil community, and the rise of the LTTE insurrection in the 1980s. We are certainly haunted by the deadly and painful memories of the decades long civil war caused by the insurrection of the LTTE, seeking a separate state for the Tamil community, which began in 1983 and lasted for nearly three decades.

That was the long age of terror in Sri Lanka. That is what brought the Prevention of Terrorism Act as a legal move to fight terrorism in this country, certainly with areas of action that went far beyond the principles of democracy and human rights.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is seeing a new wave of terrorism in this country. It is the Terror of Street Walk and Protests. Democracy seems to be the codeword of the new terrorism in the country. The search for democracy, through better and cleaner governance, and the search for the exit of Rajapaksa power from this country is the goal of the new terrorists in this country.

It is interesting to recall how Ranil W, who came to Parliament through a National List after a huge defeat in the polls, initially spoke of the Galle Face protesters, who were later known as The Aragala activists. He saw it as a peoples’ protest, and the need to give our ears to it. That was as an opposition MP. Later, as a non-public elected prime minister, he told a foreign correspondent that tourists had a good opportunity in Sri Lanka to visit the Galle Face protesters, and take pictures of Aragalaya protesters.

He also appointed his key UNP member to head a committee that would support and provide necessary facilities to the Galle Face protesters – the Aragala Karuvo. He sees no Aragala Karuvo today, they are all the people of terror – Thrusthavadeen

We are now faced with the new Ranil-Rajapaksa mindset. It is the discovery of terror in anything that democratic, civilian protesters may or would do. Don’t get into a group of four or five, carry even a white flag, and walk on the streets, shouting for a better democracy in Sri Lanka. A “better democracy” is a catchword for Ranil-Rajapaksa action today. It has every threat of the Police rounding you up, after a big, baton-waving and striking chase, and catching you all as terrorists. And, action will be taken against you under the Prevention of Terrorism ACT (PTA).

The people of Sri Lanka have been moving away from the memories of terrorism for more than two decades. They have been seeking a better democracy from elections that saw the defeat of Mahinda Rajapaksa – the catch-name for people’s democracy for many years, the election of Maithripala Sirisena & Ranil Wickremesinghe as the “Yahapalana” leaders, and later the return to Rajapaksadom, in the huge election of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as president with his “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour”.

What the Ranil-Rajapaksa regime should be thinking of today, when seeking terrorism in every street corner and even the mild protests by the people, is the need to move away from the Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour, and settle down to the Reality of Hardship and Failure. The Ranil-Rajapaksa mindset is not ready to accept the painful realities the people are facing today. They are in a dreamworld of political power, where democracy can be shattered in a world of crooked, misshapen and distorted power.

This is the search for the Rajapaksa Return, hopefully with Gotabaya too.

‘Ranil Rajapaksa’ is the mover and player of the Rajapaksa Return match in politics.

The Sri Lankan people and voters will certainly have to face this fight in the coming elections, whenever it takes place; if they remain committed to the goals of Galle Face and Aragalaya, with an even deeper commitment to Democracy.

Terrorism will be the catchword of the Ranil Rajapaksa activists in the search for power that will keep the Rajavasala Pavul Balaya in place, with a salute to Ranil. The continued push for Pavul Balaya by the Rajapaksas, can also lead to some bitter and strong political fighting, to bring real power to the people – through a wider Jana Aragalaya.

Sri Lanka awaits a long and tough fight to restore and strengthen Democracy. Let’s look to the fall and exit of the Rajavasala Players, and the Ranil Watchdog, in this Battle of the People.It will be the true rise of democracy and the deeper fall of terrorism, with its non-violent activities too.