Videos of law enforcement throwing canisters of tear gas with absolutely no regard for pedestrians and those travelling in vehicles on main roads leading to the President’s official residence at Colombo Fort and to Parliament sparked public anger on Wednesday (6).
Questions abound over how the authorities deemed the situation a security threat, as the protestors were not even near the President’s official residence or Parliament, while there also seemed to be several barriers between these places and the protestors. When these incidents happened, the particular roads were crowded, and the Police and/or Defence Forces personnel could be seen shooting tear gas into these crowded areas, even when there were no protestors in sight. Whether they paid attention to the safety of the public or assessed the necessity of the use of tear gas are more serious concerns. The question that could be heard being asked by some seen in these videos was “who ordered these senseless acts?”, while some on social media platforms pointed out that “the Government has plenty of tear gas to attack unarmed civilians, but none to stop the armed thugs who attacked the ‘GotaGoGama’.”
In fact, during the past few months, the use of tear gas seemed to be on the rise. There were many times when the authorities used it in an unjustifiable and irrational manner, such as in the said incidents on Wednesday. Even though the authority to determine when, and in what quantities, tear gas should be used is vested in the Police and the Defence Forces personnel, according to internationally accepted standards, tear gas is supposed to be used to end a tense situation by dispersing the crowd, not to prevent a tense situation. At the same time, there should be clear signs that a crowd is becoming violent in an uncontrollable manner in order to use tear gas.
However, the authorities seem to be using it to deter or disrupt peaceful protestors, which, in turn, could even make peaceful protestors violent. More importantly, it raises a question as to whether tear gas is being used to punish protestors, instead of to manage a tense situation.
Tear gas is not only a product Sri Lanka should not be using on peaceful protestors, it is also a luxury Sri Lanka should not be spending such a large amount of money on. According to the available data, Sri Lanka imports tear gas, which automatically reminds us of the foreign reserves crisis. What is more, according to photos shared on social media, the year of manufacture printed on some tear gas canisters was 2020, which implies that those were most probably imported after the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, and perhaps after the economic crisis hit the country, when the tense situation began building up.
It seems like the Government does not mind spending its foreign reserves lavishly on tear gas to defend itself by oppressing peaceful protests, although it is not as generous when it comes to spending money to import essentials such as fuel, food, medicines, fertiliser, and liquid petroleum gas, the lack of which caused protests in the first place. And that is a dangerous situation.
Alarmingly, the situation surrounding the use of tear gas goes beyond a mere obsession. There are also signs of aggression.
According to a number of parties, especially protestors, who were vocal about the matter both on online and offline platforms, there is evidence to suggest that the authorities are using more advanced versions of tear gas that were not used before. Photos of these allegedly newer types of tear gas show that each canister includes several parts that get separated and spread when released, covering a larger area and thus causing more damage. At the same time, many who were exposed to this tear gas had stated that they felt considerably sick for days, while some who had been exposed to tear gas in earlier instances had stated that these newer versions of tear gas caused more health issues than what previous versions of tear gas caused. In addition, we can also assume that more destructive tear gas would naturally cost more.
This is the tragic reality that the protests have helped us see. The Government is spending foreign reserves it claims to not have when it comes to importing essentials, clearly highlighting where its priorities lie. The Government, and law enforcement and Defence Forces personnel, have come to a point where they think that protests should be prevented or stopped, even if it means that they have to use excessive or disproportionate power against unarmed and peaceful protestors, instead of paying heed to the people’s demands and issues. At the same time, they seem to have gone to extreme lengths to choose more destructive versions of tear gas.
Why tear gas has become something that has to be available despite being expensive and despite serving no purpose for crisis-affected citizens is a question. The Government and the authorities owe the people an explanation of the rationale behind risking the people’s lives to “save” the President’s residence and Parliament, even when there was no immediate or considerable threat or violence. At a time when all available resources should be used to ensure the people’s wellbeing, the unbearably massive defence budget being used to oppress peaceful protestors exercising their Constitutionally guaranteed rights is tragically disapppinting.
Essentials shortage, tear gas surplus
08 Jul 2022
Essentials shortage, tear gas surplus
08 Jul 2022
Videos of law enforcement throwing canisters of tear gas with absolutely no regard for pedestrians and those travelling in vehicles on main roads leading to the President’s official residence at Colombo Fort and to Parliament sparked public anger on Wednesday (6).
Questions abound over how the authorities deemed the situation a security threat, as the protestors were not even near the President’s official residence or Parliament, while there also seemed to be several barriers between these places and the protestors. When these incidents happened, the particular roads were crowded, and the Police and/or Defence Forces personnel could be seen shooting tear gas into these crowded areas, even when there were no protestors in sight. Whether they paid attention to the safety of the public or assessed the necessity of the use of tear gas are more serious concerns. The question that could be heard being asked by some seen in these videos was “who ordered these senseless acts?”, while some on social media platforms pointed out that “the Government has plenty of tear gas to attack unarmed civilians, but none to stop the armed thugs who attacked the ‘GotaGoGama’.”
In fact, during the past few months, the use of tear gas seemed to be on the rise. There were many times when the authorities used it in an unjustifiable and irrational manner, such as in the said incidents on Wednesday. Even though the authority to determine when, and in what quantities, tear gas should be used is vested in the Police and the Defence Forces personnel, according to internationally accepted standards, tear gas is supposed to be used to end a tense situation by dispersing the crowd, not to prevent a tense situation. At the same time, there should be clear signs that a crowd is becoming violent in an uncontrollable manner in order to use tear gas.
However, the authorities seem to be using it to deter or disrupt peaceful protestors, which, in turn, could even make peaceful protestors violent. More importantly, it raises a question as to whether tear gas is being used to punish protestors, instead of to manage a tense situation.
Tear gas is not only a product Sri Lanka should not be using on peaceful protestors, it is also a luxury Sri Lanka should not be spending such a large amount of money on. According to the available data, Sri Lanka imports tear gas, which automatically reminds us of the foreign reserves crisis. What is more, according to photos shared on social media, the year of manufacture printed on some tear gas canisters was 2020, which implies that those were most probably imported after the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, and perhaps after the economic crisis hit the country, when the tense situation began building up.
It seems like the Government does not mind spending its foreign reserves lavishly on tear gas to defend itself by oppressing peaceful protests, although it is not as generous when it comes to spending money to import essentials such as fuel, food, medicines, fertiliser, and liquid petroleum gas, the lack of which caused protests in the first place. And that is a dangerous situation.
Alarmingly, the situation surrounding the use of tear gas goes beyond a mere obsession. There are also signs of aggression.
According to a number of parties, especially protestors, who were vocal about the matter both on online and offline platforms, there is evidence to suggest that the authorities are using more advanced versions of tear gas that were not used before. Photos of these allegedly newer types of tear gas show that each canister includes several parts that get separated and spread when released, covering a larger area and thus causing more damage. At the same time, many who were exposed to this tear gas had stated that they felt considerably sick for days, while some who had been exposed to tear gas in earlier instances had stated that these newer versions of tear gas caused more health issues than what previous versions of tear gas caused. In addition, we can also assume that more destructive tear gas would naturally cost more.
This is the tragic reality that the protests have helped us see. The Government is spending foreign reserves it claims to not have when it comes to importing essentials, clearly highlighting where its priorities lie. The Government, and law enforcement and Defence Forces personnel, have come to a point where they think that protests should be prevented or stopped, even if it means that they have to use excessive or disproportionate power against unarmed and peaceful protestors, instead of paying heed to the people’s demands and issues. At the same time, they seem to have gone to extreme lengths to choose more destructive versions of tear gas.
Why tear gas has become something that has to be available despite being expensive and despite serving no purpose for crisis-affected citizens is a question. The Government and the authorities owe the people an explanation of the rationale behind risking the people’s lives to “save” the President’s residence and Parliament, even when there was no immediate or considerable threat or violence. At a time when all available resources should be used to ensure the people’s wellbeing, the unbearably massive defence budget being used to oppress peaceful protestors exercising their Constitutionally guaranteed rights is tragically disapppinting.
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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!