Rabble-rousing, Conspiracy, and any attempt to Slander the Head of the State of Sri Lanka could be a legal offence.

By Charles Perera.

During the second World War there was a law under which the rumour mongers were arrested and imprisoned. That was to stop negative reaction to war efforts. To day Sri Lanka is facing a critical situation and it is important that to win this war which at the moment the Government forces are carrying out very successfully in the face of a dangerous enemy the terrorists. Every patriotic citizen should bury their political differences with the government and rally round it. But unfortunately the situation is quite the opposite.

We have found among our own Sinhala compatriots unexpected hive of traitors who work hand in hand with the terrorists for a mere fist full of dollars. Among them also we have the sinister political traitors, ever ready to topple the government even at this difficult period spreading rumours, slinging insults, casting insinuations, making false allegations , in numerous ways discourage the forces and make the whole nation a laughing stock. They are all enemies of the nation., and as such the government should take appropriate steps to prevent them from being a danger to the country in he present situation.

The president has been elected by the people, though everyone may not agree with the Presidents political leanings, they have no right to slander, or insult him. Our people are blinded to such an extent through their own personal ambitions, conceited and self centred attitude, that they do not seem to understand to what an extent they are becoming a danger to the country. The UNP leader- Ranil Wickramasinghe himself who has been making scathing remarks about the President and his family, has come down to the level of a street rowdy, despite his aspiration to become the President of Sri Lanka. He puts up a poor show, when the people expect from him a certain respectable behaviour, good manners in keeping with the status of a leader of a Political party

The UNP had always been a party that unfortunately collected the mean , lowly, thugs and bullies that would resort to any thing, being fed and cared for by the party. Those days in the past they were called “bath gottas”. It appears even in the present century the UNP has not changed . It is time that Ranil Wickramasinghe, makes up his mind to become a respectable political leader, not a rabble-rouser, speaking to please the gallery. He should shake up his party to put some order among his followers. It is not by slinging mud at the President of Sri Lanka and his family that he is going to win the respect of the people.

If Ranil Wickramasinghe and his cohorts continue rabble-rousing , then the government has a right to warn them and force them to behave. Slander is a criminal offence under which legal action could be taken against the offenders. Democracy is a very good system, but one should not abuse the freedom allowed under it.

It has also been said that Chandrika Kumaratunga the former President, hopes to form a political group along with Mangala Samaraweera and Ranil Wickramasinghe. They of course have the freedom to form a political party . But however, if in the guise of forming a political party, there is a conspiracy instigated by the former President Mrs.Chandrika Kumaratunga, against the President Mahinda Rajapakse, that could amount to a legal offence. That may justify investigate by the Police to verify the bona fides of their intention to form a political front.