One of Us

12 Jan, 2009 Colombo, Human Rights, Human Security, Lasantha Wickremetunge, Media and Communications, Peace and Conflict, Poetry, Politics and Governance
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During civilized periods
in the history of kingdoms
courtiers, or the king’s
person himself,
in audience
with the gadfly,
would offer the fellow
death or exile.

These days
assassins
butcher their fly
in daylight
near security
checkpoints
in front of
bewildered subjects.

My Lord,
Dutugemunu,
slayer of wild beasts
in northern
jungles, why must
we kill brother
Lasantha, shed
our own blood?

Indran Amirthanayagam, January 11, 2009

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2 Comments

  1. Dr.Francesca Bremner
    01/12/2009 • 4:22 am

    Dear Sanjana,
    I was moved to write this from the USA. Your site will not let me register.

    Ashes at the Stake- For Lasantha

    I remember the day I heard
    Richard was killed
    Almost twenty years ago.
    Far away in the diaspora
    I sat all night
    My back bent
    and still.

    Regimes shifted,
    People still disappeared
    into the night
    Witches, burnt at the stake
    A sacrifice,
    An offering..
    In the name of the nation,

    Today I heard
    Lasatha was killed.
    “One of us” who spoke
    for the “them”,
    Burnt at the stake..
    Another offering..
    In the name of the nation.

    Far away in the diapora
    I have sat still
    With a bent back.
    For much too long.
    Slowly
    The Ashes
    Gather momentum…

    Francesca
    USA

    Reply

  2. Indran_Amirthan
    01/12/2009 • 8:17 am

    A powerful image "sat still with a bent back." Richard, now Lasantha….we must get up and we must get the world to stand up and say no…in all avaiable forums.

    Reply

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