The live video posted by model Piyumi Hansamali on 2 June while being sent to a quarantine centre in Passara went viral on social media platforms, mostly due to the scornful remarks and allegations it contained and also the controversial nature of the incident for which she and around 14 more were sent to quarantine.
Her statement expressed grave displeasure over the fact that the group was sent to quarantine in a remote area, and she alleged that there were double standards when enforcing the law against those who had infringed quarantine regulations. Ironically, while criticising the alleged double standards, she claimed that the group being sent to quarantine despite having violated the Covid-19 safety guidelines was not just, especially in a context where she (and others) had voted for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Some found her remarks funny, and there is a good possibility that some may even have found them obnoxious. But the bigger question is the double standards she said exists in the country.
In the videos posted on social media platforms, the name of the daughter of a prominent celebrity who is said to have attended the said birthday party, as well as a popular television channel which allegedly conducted programmes disregarding Covid-19 safety guidelines, were mentioned, and according to Hansamali, they have not faced any charges officially, nor have any actions been taken against them.
The double standards in connection with the birthday party in question were raised early this week when Hansamali and event organiser Chandimal Jayasinghe were arrested and granted bail within hours. In fact, many expressed concerns as to why the duo were sent to quarantine suddenly, in a context where they were not sent to quarantine earlier, despite a request put forward in that regard.
Police Media Spokesman Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ajith Rohana, during a television programme telecast on the aforementioned television channel, said the B Report presented to the court with regard to the incident contained a request that the duo be remanded and quarantined.
Also in her video, Hansamali criticised a famous journalist and the said television channel for allegedly inconveniencing DIG Rohana during a television programme, which she said had caused further actions being taken in connection with the said birthday party.
It begs the question as to what changed the Police’s stance. If the reason is in fact the manner DIG Rohana was questioned during the said television programme, as alleged by Hansamali, does that mean the Police need a certain driving force behind it to enforce the law properly, or does that mean something had hindered the proper enforcement of the law earlier?
Either way, as The Morning has repeatedly emphasised, Sri Lanka has seen not one but many occasions that suggest that the law is not being enforced against offenders equally and that those with the right connections have been granted a rather long rope. The Kurunegala Mayor’s birthday party incident and a number of other incidents where politicians violated and allowed others to violate the Covid-19 safety guidelines bear witness to that inference.
In fact, during the said television programme, DIG Rohana acknowledged that a minuscule portion of the police force may not adhere to the accepted standards when enforcing the law.
In Sri Lanka, persons of rank having a sense of entitlement or expecting and demanding immunity from prosecution because they have supported or are friends with powerful people is not at all a new development. Hansamali’s “we voted for the President and therefore he should look into the injustice we are facing” view also reflects that mentality, which is neither people-friendly nor democracy-friendly.
The law being enforced against offenders irrespective of their social status should be the norm. But how things evolved in the Jayasinghe-Hansamali birthday party incident and also the incidents involving the Kurunegala and Moratuwa Mayors gives a certain impression as to whether there are double standards even when the law is being enforced properly.
Powerful people expecting and seemingly enjoying a much more relaxed version of legal action shows how weak a country is and how damaged its democracy, or the power of the public, is.
Someone has to change this culture and shorten this long rope, and that can start from either the Government or the public. It will lay the foundation for a country that actually treats everyone alike. Even though it is undoubtedly the most difficult change a country can hope for, especially in a context where it is the rulers who hold the power that commit the most blatant and egregious wrongs, while on the other hand the people having not fully realised the gravity of the situation that calls for such change, we have to start somewhere.The long rope of the connected
04 Jun 2021
The long rope of the connected
04 Jun 2021
The live video posted by model Piyumi Hansamali on 2 June while being sent to a quarantine centre in Passara went viral on social media platforms, mostly due to the scornful remarks and allegations it contained and also the controversial nature of the incident for which she and around 14 more were sent to quarantine.
Her statement expressed grave displeasure over the fact that the group was sent to quarantine in a remote area, and she alleged that there were double standards when enforcing the law against those who had infringed quarantine regulations. Ironically, while criticising the alleged double standards, she claimed that the group being sent to quarantine despite having violated the Covid-19 safety guidelines was not just, especially in a context where she (and others) had voted for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Some found her remarks funny, and there is a good possibility that some may even have found them obnoxious. But the bigger question is the double standards she said exists in the country.
In the videos posted on social media platforms, the name of the daughter of a prominent celebrity who is said to have attended the said birthday party, as well as a popular television channel which allegedly conducted programmes disregarding Covid-19 safety guidelines, were mentioned, and according to Hansamali, they have not faced any charges officially, nor have any actions been taken against them.
The double standards in connection with the birthday party in question were raised early this week when Hansamali and event organiser Chandimal Jayasinghe were arrested and granted bail within hours. In fact, many expressed concerns as to why the duo were sent to quarantine suddenly, in a context where they were not sent to quarantine earlier, despite a request put forward in that regard.
Police Media Spokesman Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ajith Rohana, during a television programme telecast on the aforementioned television channel, said the B Report presented to the court with regard to the incident contained a request that the duo be remanded and quarantined.
Also in her video, Hansamali criticised a famous journalist and the said television channel for allegedly inconveniencing DIG Rohana during a television programme, which she said had caused further actions being taken in connection with the said birthday party.
It begs the question as to what changed the Police’s stance. If the reason is in fact the manner DIG Rohana was questioned during the said television programme, as alleged by Hansamali, does that mean the Police need a certain driving force behind it to enforce the law properly, or does that mean something had hindered the proper enforcement of the law earlier?
Either way, as The Morning has repeatedly emphasised, Sri Lanka has seen not one but many occasions that suggest that the law is not being enforced against offenders equally and that those with the right connections have been granted a rather long rope. The Kurunegala Mayor’s birthday party incident and a number of other incidents where politicians violated and allowed others to violate the Covid-19 safety guidelines bear witness to that inference.
In fact, during the said television programme, DIG Rohana acknowledged that a minuscule portion of the police force may not adhere to the accepted standards when enforcing the law.
In Sri Lanka, persons of rank having a sense of entitlement or expecting and demanding immunity from prosecution because they have supported or are friends with powerful people is not at all a new development. Hansamali’s “we voted for the President and therefore he should look into the injustice we are facing” view also reflects that mentality, which is neither people-friendly nor democracy-friendly.
The law being enforced against offenders irrespective of their social status should be the norm. But how things evolved in the Jayasinghe-Hansamali birthday party incident and also the incidents involving the Kurunegala and Moratuwa Mayors gives a certain impression as to whether there are double standards even when the law is being enforced properly.
Powerful people expecting and seemingly enjoying a much more relaxed version of legal action shows how weak a country is and how damaged its democracy, or the power of the public, is.
Someone has to change this culture and shorten this long rope, and that can start from either the Government or the public. It will lay the foundation for a country that actually treats everyone alike. Even though it is undoubtedly the most difficult change a country can hope for, especially in a context where it is the rulers who hold the power that commit the most blatant and egregious wrongs, while on the other hand the people having not fully realised the gravity of the situation that calls for such change, we have to start somewhere.Kapruka
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!
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!