Views on crime bring no solace for people

| by Milinda Rajasekera

( June 19, 2012, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s statement that rate of crime has not increased is statistically acceptable and indeed comforting too. Sri Lanka Police Media Spokesman Superintendent of Police Ajith Rohana participating in a recent TV programme also asserted that there is no crime trend in the country "despite the media reports of increasing crime rate." Although these statements are reassuring most people who are concerned and worried over news reports about heinous crimes being committed in this country would not find solace in these revelations.

The defence secretary has, however, mentioned that the methods used by criminals are more atrocious than before. It is not only the difference in weapons used but forms of crimes and categories of people committing them that have assumed dangerous proportions. Killings, abductions, harassment and torture of people, rape, burglary, drug business, bribery, fraud and corruption have shown a steady increase. Regular media reports about these antisocial acts cannot be dismissed as exaggerations meant to serve the interests of those opposed to the present administration.

Several factors contribute to the multiplicity of forms that crimes have assumed. The nexus that evidently exists among politicians, the police, state officials and criminals is identified as one of the major contributory reasons. The connivance or collaboration among these groups not only has aided and abetted commission of crime but has obstructed the process of investigation of crime, prosecution and conviction of accused. The active cooperation, particularly among the police, judiciary, state officers and other relevant state and private agencies is essential for reducing crime in the country.

It is encouraging, in this context, that the police have initiated a programme with funds provided by UNICEF to expedite solving of crime in view of the high prevalence of violence particularly against women and children in many parts of the country. Under this pilot project the Police Department is to coordinate with the Attorney General’s Department, Ministry of Justice, Judicial Medical Officers and the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA). It is hoped that this programme will be implemented as expeditiously as possible.

There is, however, urgent need for unraveling the mysteries behind several killings, abductions and harassments that have taken place in the recent past in this country. The accusing finger remains pointed against government and state institutions such as the Army and the Police in respect of these incidents. Some foreign forces actively engaged in denigrating the reputation of this country on account of various alleged violation of human rights make use of this suspected involvement of state agencies to conduct their campaigns against the present administration. Wide publicity is promptly given to such reports in the foreign media thus lowering the country’s image abroad. It is creditable that police investigations have recently succeeded in revealing the true suspects in some of the recent mysterious crimes that were attributed to state institutions.

So the onus is on the government to get investigations and court cases relating to these crimes completed as quickly as possible. If any state personnel or agencies are involved in any of these crimes it is the responsibility of the government to bring those parties to justice as quickly as possible. Such action would go a long way in defeating the efforts of those who are out to crucify our country. It is unfortunate that the culture of acrimonious politics prevailing in the country drives opposition parties to any lengths to discredit the government. They are prompt in running to foreign media and other institutions, more often than not, with distorted reports about these incidents without any consideration for the damage they do to the country. Unless this suicidal practice is stopped, the country’s exposure to the machinations of foreign hostile forces would continue to plague the nation.

Defence Secretary Rajapaksa has also referred to the religious revival that is taking place in the country today. This revival is observable in the restoration of religious places neglected or destroyed in the past, particularly in the North and East and the devotees’ zealous participation in various religious programmes and ceremonies in large numbers. This, no doubt, is an encouraging trend which shows the people’s deviation from worldly things to matters of spiritual value.

What is important, however, is that the religious fervour thus demonstrated by devotees should be reflected in their conduct in daily life. If this happens social morality and social discipline would show a marked improvement. Greed, hatred, jealousy and other unhealthy impulses would be submerged as people begin to lead virtuous lives. It is unfortunate, however, that such transformation of society has apparently failed to materialize so far. The state of politics, economics and other social activities would otherwise have been different from the parlous position it is in today. The journey towards reaching the ideal of a righteous state would have been expedited.

It is indeed the responsibility of political and religious leaders to take whatever meaningful steps necessary to guide the people on the path of virtue resisting widely prevalent inducements and temptations that the existing political and social order provides. It is said that necessity makes an honest man a knave. It is, therefore, imperative that a determined endeavour has to be made to supply the basic needs of the people and to ensure that justice and fair play prevails in society. The religious revival will then be a reality and crime, corruption, fraud and other evils in the country would gradually fade away.