Speaking to the media yesterday (11), Duminda Nagamuwa of the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) alleged that Sri Lanka has gained a reputation as a violator of human rights due to actions travelling back several decades.
“Today, we have gathered here to commemorate the ‘World Human Rights Day’. This country had been historically, and also recently gained ill reputation for its violation of basic human rights of its citizens in the North and also the South, with this practice having continued over several decades,” claimed Nagamuwa.
Accentuating the human rights violations that have taken place in the country, he highlighted the restraints placed on media freedom, and the acts against opposing political activists.
“Journalists have been attacked and killed, media outlets have been set alight, political activists have gone missing, and some political activists are put behind bars even today. Considering all these, we could say that Sri Lanka is recognised for its record of human rights violations. Today, we are celebrating the ‘World Human Rights Day’ in this country,” he said.
Furthermore, he claimed that the conference organised to commemorate the day was cancelled due to higher orders, stating that this came as no surprise in a country where the leaders consider human rights to be toxic to them.
“Human rights are toxic to President Ranil Wickremesignhe and the Rajapaksas (a reference to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and incumbent MP Mahinda Rajapaksa). A conference to commemorate this day was organised at the BMICH but it was mysteriously cancelled due to an order from above.
“This fear and dislike shown by our leaders towards human rights is a clear warning sign into what might unfold in the future. If the general, working class in the country don’t come forward with clear understanding of this problem in the country, this might as well be the last time we’re celebrating the Human Rights Day in Sri Lanka.”
He charged that disruptive and terrorist acts are being interpreted as such only through the perspective of the leaders. However, he expressed how the people’s power and rights are being championed through the “aragalaya” movements, which is what the country needs at present.
He enunciated the same argument Ceylon Teachers’ Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin highlighted, on how the “Ranil-Rajapaksa” Government has violated the basic rights of the people in the country, while activating a very oppressive procedure.
“Today, we clearly declare to the Government that this ‘aragalaya’ is a basic right of ours, and we would fight against these oppressive acts of the Government.”