Looking At Collective Responsibility Through The Eyes Of ‘Manuwarna’

Youth who have gone astray must be taken in and rehabilitated; not ‘finished off’. Youth must be protected, and only the drug trade must be busted and finished off

The message given by the filmmaker is that the government failed to take any responsibility regarding the deaths of people, largely youth. Even as of now, the present regime gives enough indication that there might be no detailed or acceptable account of what happens to some of those who are arrested in these operations. On a positive note, Manuwarna’s film is shown in film halls islandwide. That means the message that past regimes didn’t take the responsibility of killing youth who were arrested is reaching a larger audience 

Cinema lovers are presented with the opportunity these days to witness the film ‘Rahas Kiyana Kandu’ (‘Mountains That Whisper Truths’). This production by promising actor turned filmmaker Jagath Manuwarna focuses on the insurgency during 1988-89 where scores of youth were tortured or killed 

The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) is hell-bent on eradicating the drug menace and the underworld in a hurry. It’s pertinent to see why the regime has suddenly woken up and is racing towards achieving a goal which previous regimes pursued, but left unfinished. The Sirisena government gave a good start to eradicating drugs, but in the end it was more of a big show and amounted to being a media stunt. That programme lost steam early at the start itself.
This writer hopes to be clear from the start of this column that all efforts aimed at eradicating drugs from a society must be appreciated. However, like all programmes - even the much publicized ‘Yukthiya’ operation - must be carried out in consultation with scholars who would warn of consequences when things are rushed. On a concerning note, some of the operations carried out in the Colombo area have inconvenienced women, and there are eyewitness accounts of ladies’ bags being checked by male Police officers during these search operations. Now this is unacceptable.

There are a lot of ifs and buts and questions raised by discerning individuals of this country about this operation which is carried out at the whims and fancies of the State Minister for Public Security, Tiran Alles. So far, many people involved in the drugs trade have been apprehended or arrested and that’s laudable. But what is of concern is that the Minister was quoted on television stating that people involved in the drugs trade must be “finished off”. Now we ask the question whether it’s Alles’ law that’s practiced in the country? No one can go about ‘finishing off’ anyone when they breach the law in the snap of a finger. There needs to be a fair trial and the court must declare such persons guilty and then punishments can be meted out. This nation was witness to many insurgencies where several youth were subject to torture and death. As if by coincidence, cinema lovers are presented with the opportunity these days to witness the film ‘Rahas Kiyana Kandu’ (‘Mountains That Whisper Truths’). This production by promising actor turned filmmaker Jagath Manuwarna focuses on the insurgency during 1988-89 where scores of youth were tortured or killed. The message given by the filmmaker is that the government failed to take any responsibility regarding the deaths of people, largely youth. Even as of now, the present regime gives enough indication that there might be no detailed or acceptable account of what happens to some of those who are arrested in these operations. Releasing this film at this juncture is so timely in the backdrop of a regime carrying out an operation to clean the society. If a society is cleansed like this collective responsibility must be taken.

The government cannot hide from or negotiate a challenge that is going to come in the form of international scrutiny regarding these arrests in the war against drugs and the underworld. The other factor is that unlike in 1988/89, today social media outlets are so strong and boast of a larger reach compared to mainstream and government maintained media outlets. What’s also of concern is that many in the regime harbour anger about being unceremoniously ousted from power; not forgetting the losses to homes that were burnt down by angry protesters who were demanding a change in the face of Sri Lankan politics. People’s arrests on speculation that they were involved in the drug business must be validated. Those voicing concerns during these times pray that political revenge is not taken from those in the opposite camp in the guise of clearing the society of drugs and the underworld.
On a positive note, Manuwarna’s film is shown in film halls islandwide. That means the message that past regimes didn’t take the responsibility of killing youth who were arrested is reaching a larger audience. The fact that there is an absence of taking collective responsibility is a universal problem. In most revolutions in the world, scores of youth died, and no acceptable account was given to their loved ones. When a collective effort is made at achieving anything the results are acceptable and comprehensive. The Aragalaya at Gota-Go-Gama was successful at its peak because there was a collective effort by the public until the movement fell apart. From the news reaching the public, this Yukthiya operation, despite promising a cleaner Sri Lanka, hasn’t managed to garner islandwide support and acceptance. People have other more important things to worry about.
Many among those in this present government and opposition have been labeled inside Parliament itself for having had links with either the underworld or for being involved directly or indirectly in the drugs trade. Can we be assured that any lawmaker or his close associates would be rounded up during these operations?
Youth who have gone astray must be taken in and rehabilitated; not ‘finished off’. Youth must be protected, and ONLY the drug trade must be busted and FINISHED OFF; like the present system of politics and its unaccomplished set of lawmakers who together have destroyed this country.