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The spectre of religious intolerance and the systemic failure of law enforcement
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The quiet that descends on the country during the Aluth Avurudhu season was disturbed by the news of an attack last Sunday on a Methodist place of worship named Adara Sevana situated in Anuradhapura. The mob comprising 20 to 25 individuals, and led by a local politico, had accosted worshippers on their way to the Sunday Service. The unruly crowd had later pelted stones at the building and also locked the gates, preventing members of the congregation from leaving the premises.
Trapped inside Adara Sevana was the Head of the Methodist Church, Rev. Asiri Perera, who had heard of threats to the congregation during previous weeks, decided to be present at the Service on April 14, 2019.
It has now come to light that a mob had also attacked the Centre on March 31, 2019, and, as a result of which, it was not possible to hold the usual congregation on April 7, 2019. Hence, Rev. Asiri Perera’s decision to be present at the congregation last Sunday.
The local politico, who is a member of the Municipal Council, apparently, made no attempt to hide his identity and was emboldened to claim at the subsequent Police inquiry, that he led the attack, which he boldy sought to justify.
The Methodist Church had to contact high Police officials in the area and in Colombo, in order to get the local Police to take action to protect the worshippers. Despite the Priests at the Centre having contacted the local Police, while the attack was going on, they arrived at the scene only two hours later.
At the Police station later in the day, it was a Sub Inspector who had to conduct the inquiry. The Headquarters Inspector (HQI) was, conspicuously, not present, despite the seriousness of the inquiry. The politico who was present and acted as the spokesman of the mob, insisted on the Centre being closed down, which Rev. Asiri Perera refused to do.
Despite the Police having been given a list of names of those who participated in the attacks and being identified by the members of the congregation, it is not clear whether any arrests have been made, despite the elapse of a week since the incident took place.
Several issues have to be addressed by the authorities with regard to the incidents in Anuradhapura. First of all, the Police were found wanting in relation to their response to the situation, which has been simmering for more than two weeks. If the Police acted when Adara Sevana was attacked at the end of March 2019, the incidents on April 14,2019 may not have happened.
Even after the incidents of April 14, 2019, the Police have not acted swiftly enough to curtail the situation. The fact that they took two hours to act and the absence of the HQI at the inquiry, suggest that there was an element of complicity on their part.
Despite the attackers who had committed several offences under the criminal Law, as well as caused a breach of the Peace, being identified, it is yet not clear what action had been taken against them.
It is also a clear indication of systemic failure of the Law enforcement process. When any incident of this nature occurs, it should not require Police high-ups to prod their subordinates into action, which constitute part of their day-to-day duties.
The fact that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundera had to intervene, in order to ensure that followup action is taken, does not speak well for the efficacy of the system of justice. If people in remote areas of the country have to contact Politicians or other influentials to get the Police to do their duty, it does not give the public the security they expect from the State, when they go about their day-to-day activities.
The incidents in Anuradhapura have been attributed to economic factors, including the desire to take over the property belonging to the Methodist Church by interested parties. Whether it is economic or political interests, these too must be identified and dealt with. There are no spontaneous incidents that take place and there is always a hidden hand in the form of vested interests who create turmoil to achieve their own ends.
Probably, the only time incidents or protests are spontaneous is in the event of a bad road accident.
Besides, the failure to act, constitutes a breach of the State’s duty to ensure that the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution are ensured. Article 10 of the Constitution entitles every person to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice. Article 14 (1)(e) entitles every citizen the freedom to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching, whether he does so in public or in private.
It is, therefore, important to instruct all Police stations to ensure this right of the citizen is safeguarded, and to hold all Heads of Police stations accountable for failure to do so.
In fairness to the Police, their are many officers who are aware of their responsibilities and carry out their duties effectively. Even during the bad days, when the Muslim community was targeted by groups such as the Bodhu Bala Sena, Sinhala Ravaya and Ravana Balaya, many Police officers conducted themselves admirably in ensuring justice to all, and it was only some who did not do so, often at the behest of higher authorities.
But the germ of religious intolerance lurks in the background and has to be dealt with once and for all, if Sri Lanka is to move forward. That is why, despite the Yahapalana Government’s positive approach to inter religious harmony, incidents like those in Digana took place.
With impending elections on the cards, the forces who spearheaded anti minority sentiments are waiting for the opportunity to derail the Reconciliation process for political advantage. It behoves the Government, therefore, to put in place strong systems, which prevent the recurrence of bad memories.
(javidyusuf@google.com)