MINORITIES BREAKING LAWS AND HUMAN RIGHTS

MAJORITY MUSLIMS given eviction notice from Glany Street, says one online news column. Quoting leaders from the respective minority, they compare it to other imaginary situations and attempt to portray the episode as one of unfairness, and violation of rights of these people.

But the facts say otherwise.

The quatters forcibly occupied government lands located in the heart of the city as if it were their personal property, while their actions denied lawful usage of the property for government purposes which are intended to provide services to all citizens. And for decades, successive governments failed to take appropriate action to evict them for fear of antagonizing the 'muslim' constituency.

The news sources say this time the Dept. of Defence has issued the order to vacate. The same news item questions the rights of the government on the action and attempts to legitimize squatting on government property simply by the fact that previous governments have failed to do so.

Sri Lanka has many and varied problems. Some are much bigger than this one, but the salient point here is that at last someone seems to be taking the initiative to do the right thing. Failing to do so is a grave injustice to all those other millions of Sri Lankans who did not illegally occupy state lands for their personal gain, but instead chose to live and travel further distances on a daily commute to and from work. as can be expected, no one seems to consider the rights of the right people, but only those created under imaginary rationale for the wrong people.

Its probably a sign of the times we live in; rights are shouted loudest by those who break laws and endanger others in society, while those who live in obedience of the law continue to suffer in silence.

I certainly hope the government has the spine to carry through this action to its intended conclusion. Sri Lankans need to understand the importance of respecting property laws and rights of those who respect the nation and its laws.

In the meanwhile it is only understandable that the media will highlight only the minorities affected by the state action, as sensationalism is the business they are in.