News
Agitation for right to bury
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
By Norman Palihawadane
Authorities have launched an investigation into the disappearance of over 70 assault rifles from an undisclosed Army camp.The police confirmed that two of the missing T-56 assault rifles had been recovered.
A 47-year-old Civil Defence Force (CDF) member has been arrested in connection with the incident. Acting on information from the suspect, police recovered a T-56 with 11 rounds of ammunition in Kotawila, Matara, on Friday. The arrest followed an earlier recovery of another T-56 rifle and a grenade in Ruhunuketha, Welikanda, which the suspect was allegedly attempting to sell.
Investigations have revealed that the suspect had sold one more T-56, with ammunition, for Rs. 200,000. The CDF member’s arrest came after a person, detained by the Wellampitiya Police with a pistol, confessed to purchasing the weapon from him, providing contact details that led to his arrest.
The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) obtained a 90-day detention order for further questioning of the suspect.
Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya confirmed to The Island that details of the Army camp and officers involved were being withheld for now.
Police Media Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga said that the CCD and CID were conducting parallel investigations into the case.
Further updates on the missing firearms and their potential links to crimes are expected as the investigation progresses, SSP Manatunga told The Island.
More than 35 people were hospitalised following a head-on collision between two privately-owned buses in Matara yesterday morning.Six persons sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Matara Hospital, police added.
Police Spokesman SSP K.B. Manathunga said that there was a rising number of road accidents involving privately-owned buses in recent times. In response, police have intensified legal actions against passenger bus drivers who violate traffic regulations.
SSP Manathunga announced on Saturday that the government has approved the recruitment of an additional 10,000 police officers. This move aims to strengthen efforts in preventing road accidents, as well as supporting broader anti-crime and anti-drug operations.
Investigations into the cause of the collision are ongoing, SSP Manatunga said. (RK)
Text and Pic by Dinasena Rathugamage
A 25-year-old elephant that had been struggling in pain and hunger for 14 days due to suspected severe gunshot injuries died on Saturday near the Iranamadukulam tank in Kilinochchi.
Villagers who noticed the injured elephant informed Wildlife officers about its condition. Although a team of officials rushed to the location and attempted to treat the elephant, its condition was critical due to severe injuries and its extreme weakness, making recovery impossible.
Wildlife officers said that the elephant was about 25 years of age and they suspected that the elephant’s injuries had been caused by a gunshot. A post-mortem examination is scheduled to determine the exact cause of death. The Kilinochchi Police and Wildlife officials have launched an investigation into the death of the elephant.
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