Thuggery (Chandikama) as a Method of Intimidation, Bullying and Harassment in the South
Use of thugs ‘chandiyas’ or ‘marayas’ by those in authority has its roots in the colonial period. Later, Sinhalese politicians adopted this method in village level politics spreading into urban locales. It is a method used to control public opinion and behaviour, more importantly to submerge alternative viewpoints and behaviour and divert the popular will in the direction of those in authority by using physical force, fear and the like. The only way to counter such acts of intimidation, thuggery, bullying and harassment is to organise those with alternative viewpoints into collectives or action-groups and resist while educating the public. This paper argues that perhaps it is time to set up a Nelum Balakaya (NB) to spread the message about the need for democratic freedoms, good governance and rule of law.
Recent attacks on young artists near Kurunegala by political activists in blue attire as reported in the media reflect a deeper trend in Sri Lankan political scene with far greater implications for good governance (Yaha Palanaya) and its future. It is reported that those belonging to Nil Balakaya –an organisation headed by Namal Rajapakse who is an MP (and also the son of the executive President of Sri Lanka), instigated these attacks and also the son of the executive President of Sri Lanka-though this has been denied by Nil Balakaya officials (Daily Mirror 31.12.2014). This is not an isolated incident and many such incidents of harassment, bullying and intimidation of political opponents by the ruling coalition have been reported in the media during the current election campaign showing a discernible pattern. Thus it is important to examine the roots of such acts in the Sri Lankan history, particularly in the Southern Sinhalese heartland, i.e. Hambantota district.
see more at :
http://ift.tt/1Ac7cue
Use of thugs ‘chandiyas’ or ‘marayas’ by those in authority has its roots in the colonial period. Later, Sinhalese politicians adopted this method in village level politics spreading into urban locales. It is a method used to control public opinion and behaviour, more importantly to submerge alternative viewpoints and behaviour and divert the popular will in the direction of those in authority by using physical force, fear and the like. The only way to counter such acts of intimidation, thuggery, bullying and harassment is to organise those with alternative viewpoints into collectives or action-groups and resist while educating the public. This paper argues that perhaps it is time to set up a Nelum Balakaya (NB) to spread the message about the need for democratic freedoms, good governance and rule of law.
Recent attacks on young artists near Kurunegala by political activists in blue attire as reported in the media reflect a deeper trend in Sri Lankan political scene with far greater implications for good governance (Yaha Palanaya) and its future. It is reported that those belonging to Nil Balakaya –an organisation headed by Namal Rajapakse who is an MP (and also the son of the executive President of Sri Lanka), instigated these attacks and also the son of the executive President of Sri Lanka-though this has been denied by Nil Balakaya officials (Daily Mirror 31.12.2014). This is not an isolated incident and many such incidents of harassment, bullying and intimidation of political opponents by the ruling coalition have been reported in the media during the current election campaign showing a discernible pattern. Thus it is important to examine the roots of such acts in the Sri Lankan history, particularly in the Southern Sinhalese heartland, i.e. Hambantota district.
see more at :
http://ift.tt/1Ac7cue
Thuggery (Chandikama) as a Method of Intimidation, Bullying and Harassment in the Sou
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