» 02/04/2010 10:34 SRI LANKA Rajapaksa celebrates independence, the opposition boycotts the event by Melani Manel Perera Political confrontation and accusations of rigging in the recent presidential elections tarnish the occasion. At 62 years after the end of British colonialism freedom of expression and equal rights for citizens, including the Tamil minority are lacking. AsiaNews has gathered the views of Catholic leaders, human rights activists and ordinary citizens.
Colombo (AsiaNews) - The shadow of the recent presidential elections on 26 January, which sanctioned the confirmation of Mahinda Rajapaksa, still weighs on the 62nd National Day of Independence, which is celebrated today in Sri Lanka. The largest opposition party decided to boycott the celebrations, human rights activists and critics are asking what "independence", if the country still lacks “freedom of expression" and "equality for all citizens". For the government, meanwhile, the event becomes a new opportunity to pay tribute to the president, though allegations of vote rigging and violence shadow Rajapaksa’s victory.
The main event related to the Independence Day of Sri Lanka takes place in Kandy, an ancient town in the centre of the country, the royal capital and seat of the temple where the sacred relic the tooth of Buddha, (Sri Dalada Maligawa). All religious denominations have organized events; Christians have gathered in the various cathedrals around the island.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has raised the national flag and led two minutes of silence to honour the memory of soldiers who died for the "freedom and unity of the country." Addressing the nation, the head of state said he was "happy and proud 'to represent his people and" will use his mandate to give back to people what they lost in 30 years of war". He also added his intention to transform Sri Lanka into an "industrialized nation" and "the crossroads for economic development" of the region.
However, members of the main opposition United National Party (UNP), boycotted the festivities. They are protesting against the government army attack on the hotel where Gen. Sarath Fonseka and his collaborators were housed, in the hours following the publication of the results of the polls.
AsiaNews has collected a series of views of Christian leaders, activists and ordinary citizens about the festival and the true meaning which is contained in the word "independence", won 62 years ago after the departure of British colonists. The Venerable Madampagama Assagi Thero, executive secretary of the Foundation for Interreligious Dialogue, calls it a "habit" while there is a need to "rethink the true meaning of the word 'independence' ... [which should ensure] political, economic, and cultural freedom as well as freedom of expression."
Fr. Reid Shelton Fernando, a Catholic priest and human rights activist, wonders whether there is "real independence", which must ensure "equality of treatment for all." In fact, there are violent attacks on those who oppose and this does not indicate "true democracy" and "true freedom in everyday life." Fernando Brito, human rights activist from the Platform for Freedom (PFF), adds that "we all have witnessed during the campaign how the government uses power in the wrong way, in a dirty, unfair ... shameful way." And he observes: "These elections were not democratic, but utterly corrupt."
A professor at the University of Jaffna, a former Tamil Tiger stronghold in the north, described the festival as a "ritual" and recalls the plight of persons displaced by war, tsunami, the landless and those living in extreme poverty. To these a million people living abroad, some 10 thousand refugees in camps in India, hundreds of thousands of people living under death threats or victims of violence, as well as journalists killed and murders that have gone unpunished must be added.
W. Gobitha, a Tamil living in Colombo and engaged in social work, recalls how Sri Lanka was - once – renowned for its "natural beauty and sharing among different cultures." The woman adds that the “massive use of bombs ended the war", but the recent presidential elections have " etched deep scars in the hearts of the Tamil population". "As long as the leaders of the nation - she explains – fail to meet the rights of all citizens, there will never be real peace in the country."
Tissa Attanayake an opposition leader, confirms that "the UNP has decided to boycott the Independence Day as a form of protest against the government." S.G. Punchihewa, a lawyer, hears only "pretty words and slogans, but there is no deep analysis on the value of the anniversary and talks about the festive atmosphere being used for "political propaganda ", serving only to conceal the climate of discontent.
The only dissenting voices come from the street vendors of the capital, happy to celebrate "because President Rajapaksa has saved our beloved country from the Tamil Tigers" and now people can "move freely". Now, they add, businesses are flourishing, having spent years "under the threat of bombs and fighting" in every corner of the country. Traders are not concerned with "political or human rights ... if we have the freedom to eat and sleep in peace, we have everything we need."
