Sri Lanka: the waning of Liberalism?
It seems to be the case that over the past few years the State and the public have become much less tolerant of liberal values. In 2006, a bill set out a total ban on alcohol and tobacco advertisements in the media or on billboards as well as free distribution of tobacco or alcohol related products by the manufacturer or the distributor as means of promotion. In September this year, a Magistrate ordered the Police Children and Women’s Bureau to publish the photographs of several local porn stars, which appear in pornographic CDs and are presently being circulated in the market, in order to identify them and take further action.
Do the above instances not show a lack of respect and intolerance of individuals and the choices they choose to make? Has the ban on advertising reduced tobacco or alcohol consumption? I do not think so. However, advertising companies have lost a part of their revenue. The Magisterial order to publish the photographs of women who act in pornographic films in newspapers is contrary to all norms of decency and civilized behavior. The publication of such pictures in the newspapers also took place about two years ago if I remember right. Are these isolated incidents or are they a part of a bigger picture?
Could it perhaps be that this ultra-conservatism and moral regeneration that is evident in this administration and sections of society is a manifestation of monolithic nationalism which in other words tolerate little variance from the national norms. Is this ultra-conservatism a part of official State ideology of the ruling SLFP alliance and directed mainly at the urban middle class and the rural population to win votes? Â Is there a link between nationalism, ultra-conservatism and State ideology?
This country was not ultra conservative under the Chandrika Kumaratunga or Ranil Wickremasinghe administrations. Conservative it may have been, but never ultra-conservative. Perhaps the fundamental difference between this ruling UPFA alliance and the regimes before it, is that this regime’s aggressive national appeal to the Sinhalese middle class and masses is through the use of ultra conservative rhetoric and irrational action. The strategy seem to have worked splendidly for the regime in winning the sympathy of the middle class and the rural masses and securing their votes in a society which has always been traditional with roots in historical and religious conservatism.
Britain where I had my university education some 15 years ago was liberal, multicultural, diverse and far less intolerant than Sri Lanka is right now. I believe the liberal education system, the emphasis on political correctness (taken to new heights by Tony Blair) and the legislation in place against many forms of discrimination in Britain have contributed to make Britain a more liberal and tolerant country to live in.
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of individual freedom and choices.
Liberal values are essential for democratic governance. Sri Lanka is in need of liberal values that are fast disappearing due to the ultra conservatism of this regime and sections of the public.
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It’s a ptity that ur British education is making an indirect attempt to thrust upon us some wrong values like smoking and pornography at a time when the Govt is makng a sincere effort to release the younger population from the clutches of such immoral activities.Besides ,this island nation has suffered enough from western influence .Please let our nation find its own moral identity among rest of the nations rather than borrowing wrong values which u seems to be encouraging and propergating among us in the name of liberlism .Please Choose another way to to serve our country Sri Lanka with ur British Education instead of ciriticising genuine efforts of the govt. to make this land a better place specially for our younger generation free from vices.We shoul not be British or Amnericans though we have been educated among them.What we should adhere to is our own national identity.We should be a nation tha tshould uphold great moral priciples according to Noble Religious Leaders in the world.Please think of the end cosequences of smoking ,alcholism,prostitution.
I can not understand what this writer has in mind. It seems that he has conceived the dogmatic idea ‘ liberalism is best whatever wrongs it has and we should adopt is unconditionally. Most of the time the people who had their education in west authoritatively preach this idea without any rationality or shame.For these what they know is the best.Frogs do not know anything outside the well or what they were tought.
The writer says liberalism is the belief in individual freedom and choices. It is good, but is it unconditional? No limitations to it? Can any act of individuals be justified in the name of liberalism?
According to him ban on tobacco& alcohol advertisement in media is against liberalism. Making porn movies and distributing them in broad society is a part of the individual freedom and one should not disturb them. Who the fool wasted public money to send these fools abroad to learn these bullish ideas. God save these fools and the country from them.
Niranjan, I feel the rise of ‘conservatism’ in SL goes hand in hand with the rise of the LTTE. We have seen this rally around the buddhist nationalistic flag before, in Kandy during the occupation of the British. As you may know, the British National party, which is fairly right wing, got a big % of the vote, party I would imagine do to the economic troubles in UK. So, the bottom line is during times of volatility, liberalism takes a back seat.
I personally feel curbing of tobacco and alcohol related advertising is a good thing, you and I may not be ‘that’ affected, but the younger generation is easily persuaded and if advertising did not have an affect, why advertise?
To Rama and Yapa,
You are both perfectly entitled to your views. But tell me has Tobacco and Alcohol advertising alone lessened the use of these products amongst the public? If you do know of any studies that have been done on this please let me know.
Making pornographic movies and distributing them in public is wrong-I agree. But what I disagree with is the publishing of the pictures of such actresses in the newspapers for identification purposes. That is not a humane thing to do. Such women are also human. Most of them act in such films to make money and not because they like to. There are other ways of identifying them.
To Yapa-The money for my education came from my family and not from the public purse. So please do not go on presumption. A person has the right to be educated in the west east or wherever. There are limitations to individual freedoms even in the west. However, in many ways the west is more liberal than us. Ultra-Conservatism is beyond conservatism. That is a problem and is not good for any society in my view. Iran under the Mullahs and the Taliban in Afghanistan are two examples of ultra conservative societies.
To Rama-Can you name any society that is free from vices ? Are these genuine efforts of the Govt. to free us from vices ? or is it another vote buying exercise ?
Shakya Pathmalal,
Thank You for your comments. You may be correct in saying that in troubled times liberalism takes a back seat. Perhaps it did in Europe during the world wars as well. But then Europe grew out of that and is very liberal now. Many countries in Europe are more liberal than Britain is. I think I can add Germany to that list as well. Yes, the BNP is on the rise. Due to recession as you said. But they will not get anywhere near the Conservatives or Labour for that matter when it comes to election time. The conservatives are tipped to have a big win. But is David Griffin and his BNP talking about Tobacco and Alcohol Advertising or about publishing pictures of actresses who act in porn films in the newspapers? That will not win them any votes. Britain is too liberal for that type of thing and the public will not buy it. Britain has a history of liberalism and some of the most well known liberals have been British-John Locke, Adam Smith, David Riccardo, as well as John Mill.
There is a point when you say that younger children are easily persuaded. However, I can tell you that in my time in school it was peer pressure that made most of my friends take to alcohol and smoking and not advertising. People know that there are cigarettes and alcohol around. It was passed around by word of mouth. Amongst the older generation it was fashionable to smoke and drink. Now of course the message is do not do these things as it can harm your health. It can most certainly harm your health. But let the individual/adult decide. If you have come across any studies in this country showing that the ban on advertising has actually decreased smoking and drinking amongst the public please let me know. Perhaps the only way to decrease smoking and alcohol amongst the public is through education and the ill effects it has on the individual.
In Canada you can’t openly advertise cigarettes but liquor is allowed. Nevertheless people, kids smoke drink to absurd levels. Drunk driving is a growing problem. Rather than bans etc.. i think energy should be put into EDUCATION ON THE PITFALLS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE!!! Nobody seems to remember prohibition. You ban practices and they go underground! I rather have a govt-regulated distribution of narcotics than underworld bosses.
On the other hand, liberalism is a double edged sword when people don’t have common sense.
The western liberal democratic world is moving towards becoming more and more CONSERVATIVE VALUED……
What doe this say about our values….
Sexual literature and instructional and educative multimedia material is important for sexual education….BUT if you increase pornography without any limits……
THIS WILL HARM THE NATION….WHY sexual experimentation before you are ready to take responsibility will INCREASE CASES of STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) and HIV AID will become rampant as a result……
A divided nation like Sri Lanka will not be able handle such a catastrophe…..
We have more than enough liberal values in us…..
WHAT WE HAVE TO RECOGNISE IS THAT: We have to give credit where credit or merit is shown acknowledge that and reward excellcence…. THIS WAY WE WILL PROGRESS OTHERWISE WE WILL GO TO THE GUTTER……
Niranjan,
I have no problem with pornography and ads pertaining to tobacco and alcohol being banned from the public domain. In a liberal society, I believe, such bans are encouraged by the public who are well attuned to the various harms they pose. Tobacco and alcohol are known for their health hazards, and pornography is known to warp the sexuality of growing children. Besides these obvious perils, a liberal society will not place a moral judgment on anyone who partakes in any banned substance or “vice”. The difference is that an ultra-conservative society equates morality with law, and in such a society anyone who breaks these bans will not simply be punished for breaking the law, but will also face some sort of public humiliation, even estrangement, for “transgressing” moral taboos. If I had my way, I will also place organized religion among the banned drugs. I guess, one can only hope.
Liberal or ultra-conservative, it all depends on how the individual perceives the ban. That said, the majority of Sri-Lankans don’t strike me as people who believe pornography and substance abuse will send you to hell. However, religious fanatics, in any given society, will make moral judgments willy-nilly, and that is not the fault of the liberal.
Atheist,
Thank you for your thoughtful insights.
“That said, the majority of Sri-Lankans don’t strike me as people who believe pornography and substance abuse will send you to hell.”-thanks, I have almost lost faith in the people of the country I live in.
The country itself is beautiful, I wish the people can also be so.
A quote from Bishop Heber during his time in India in the 19 century comes to my mind “Though every great prospect pleases, And only man is vile.
Missionary Hymn, st. 2 (1819)
I do not blame you, this how many who lived and educated in aboard specialy in western countries think. They have no value of our own culture once they get used to other. Please note I said not all but many.
I see nothing wrong with government decisions under the subject.If british government took these decessions you can blame them.This is Sri Lanka and we still love our own culture. Finally I would say you are good to judge decession of british government and not decession taken by SL goverment as you are already spoiled by western culture.
Sugath,
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of individual freedom and choices.
Governments should play a minimal role in society. This should apply to both Britain and Sri Lanka. We live in a globalising world.
What is the limit you propose. If one channel start to brodcast porn films should government allow to do that to maintain freedon of that channel and people who wish to watch them.There should be some limit for freedon and choises.That is why we need legal and court system. That is why the legal system of coutry to coutry difers, that goes par with cuture and idetity of particular nation. Ther can not be one standard globaly if that happen one day we all will be westners.
“Liberalism is the belief in the importance of individual freedom and choices.”
I guess according to above statement and your vivid appraisal of Britain, there are no prisons in UK. Am I correct? I have never been there!
What is the roll played by Court System in UK?
Regarding Alcohol & Tobacco, I don’t know whether the amount of consumption got reduced. But for sure I know that the number of people who consumed Cigarettes and Alcohol in public have reduced immensely. And I like that, because being a non-smoker I don’t like to smoke Cigarettes from my nose while being with the public. Why get my lungs damaged because of somebody else’s habit!
The question you should ask is that the strategy taken by the government to control Alcohol and tobacco consumption is correct. Why the government can’t close down DCSL and stop importing Cigars.
I forgot, according to you it is a right of the public…
Regarding the court decision on Photography thing……
I think public of Sri Lanka would appreciate the fact that the photos of those persons published in media. Because it will not only give the chance to catch them, but they will be sealed as criminals.
Pls look around you. If they are with you pls inform Sri Lankan government about them.
What most commentators trying to tell you here is, being 15 years there, you need to change your thinking patern as an Asian. Otherwise there will always be clashes of ideas.
As an Asian I can understand how you changed over the last 15 years to write such a crap. That’s the difference between you and me….
Sugath,
The point I am trying to make is that I am against the display of the pictures of local porn actresses in the newspapers for identification purposes. This is where the authorities are overstepping the boundary. There are ways of doing it without having to shame them publicly. No civilised country should do things like this. The women are also human and have feelings like you and me. You are dealing with women who for the most part act in such films to make money.
Pornographic movie channels is going a bit too far I agree. That is going to the extreme of liberalism. Likewise we must guard against ultra-conservatism.
In the case of Sri Lanka we have alaways had a conservative identity. But we have never had an ultra-conservative regime and an identity like we do now. That is the difference. Cases of ultra conservatism include the Mullahs in Iran and the Taliban in Afghanisatn.
There are global standards in most things nowadays. Even laws are global e.g international covenant on civil and political rights, child rights etc. Some countries have adopted such laws into their own legal system.
I advise you to take a look at the article titled “In defense of Buddhism” on Groundviews. It has also touched on some of the issues that I have written on.
Gab:
pornography is produced because there is demand for it, and it is generally consumed by men. Punishing/criminalising women is not going to help this get rid of this ‘social ill’.
In many cases it is the men are responsible for the taping and distribution of pornography, and are most likely than not, they are willing participants in pornography. For the female, it is more complicated. They could have been tricked/coerced/forced into doing it, they might be desperate for the money, they might be too young to make proper decisions.
recently there was a case of an underage girl being abducted, taken to a studio, and was videoed while being sexually assaulted.
Under this directive, if her attackers distributed the tape, it is her face that would be published, further victimising her. How is that fair? This directive does not apply to men who appear on pornographic film, why the double standard?
Iash……
Well you have bring on the big “IF” criteria……. that leaves lot of open ends….
I’ll say what “IF” the women in that video are the masterminds of this incident. Then it is ok to publish their photos. Isn’t it.
Let’s not talk about IFs and let’s try to relate our comments/examples to the main article.
The double standards (which is true) that can be seen in your example is another debate.
gab,
So you think it is right to publish the photographs of women who act in porn films in the newspapers so as to catch them. I disagree with you. You only end up by humiliating such people in public. There are other ways of investigating.
Two examples of ultra conservatism would be the Taliban and the Mullahs.
“I think the public of Sri Lanka would appreciate the fact that the photos of those persons published in media.”- So everyone in Sri Lanka agrees with you on that one ? I do not think so.
Human values and human rights are universal. It does not matter whether you are Sri Lankan or British. You are human. That is what matters. The world is becoming a small place……….
If any Sri Lankan acted voluntarily in a porn film it is against law. If any one murtdered other, that is too against law. So whichever the case culprits can be surrendered to police/court.
If not there is no option for police/courts other than asking public help to get them and punish them under the existing law. Whatelse police/courts could do. if not do you need impunity to lead in this society?
What’s the wrong in publishing their photos if they are proven 100% guilty.
I mean it’s much more effetive than any other method.
If it is not inhuman to do those crimes why it is not good to show their faces. They should think about that before doing the crime.
By this I don’t mean that those phots should be from that movie. I meant some sort of drawing or a photo showing only their face. ok.
On the otherhand what are the other options police have? Ask from public to present their self to law?
My point is, this is ok if the party who did the crime is identified correctly and proven beyond resonable doubt that they did the crime.
I have a few questions for Niranjan and his allies.
1. According to you ban on alcohol and tobacco ads in media and billboards is “a lack of respect and intolerance of individuals and the choices they choose to make”.
I think you know that in Canada and many western countries drinking alcohol in public places is prohibited. Do you consider this also as a lack of respect and intolerance of individuals and the choices they choose to make? If yes/no why?
2. Do you think publishing the photographs of the porn stars is more damaging to them than publishing their private places and private acts. They themselves have already published and circulated more than their photographs. If publishing photographs is not a human thing to do, do you consider publishing their private plces and private acts as a human thing to do?
(If so Ifeel like slapping somebody is an offence while injuring him/herself by tring to kill him or her is not an offence.)
Please break these arguments, In the eventI consider your arguments are more profound.
Yapa
FYI
It is common knowledge that those who moralize about pornography, with the intention of demonizing women, are also the clandestine consumers of this market. Going back a couple of decades, the televangelist, Jimmy Swaggart, was caught in the sex scandal that involved him with a prostitute. No one would have paid the slightest attention had he not been a preacher that condemned to hell all prostitutes, homosexuals and others who did not fit into his parallel fundamentalist universe.
In a liberal society people criticize pornography based on the basic principle that vulnerable women and children should not be exploited as commodities. Furthermore, studies have proven that young boys who view pornography, especially violent pornography, have trouble forming healthy sexual relationships in adulthood.
Neo-cons/religious fanatics, however, go about it the wrong way. For them, decency and equality are not a priority; it seems they resort to moral preaching as a way of covering up their own pent up repressions.
The louder they preach, the more I know it is Jimmy Swaggart….
gab,
What’s the wrong in publishing their photos if they are proven 100% guilty.- what I find wrong is publishing photos of women who act in porn films for identification purposes in the newspapers or the media. At the stage of publishing how can you tell whether they are guilty ? Their guilt has not been proved yet. It is upto a court of law to find them guilty.
If the investigators want to find out who the women are they can do so by investigating in other ways. The police can use its contacts. Sleuthing is an integral part of an investigation and is used in many western countries to track down criminals. But it takes intelligence and a lot of time and energy.
Sugath,
If the investigators want to find out who the women are they can do so by investigating in other ways. The police can use its contacts. Sleuthing is an integral part of an investigation and is used in many western countries to track down criminals. But it takes intelligence and a lot of time and energy.
The easy way of course is to publish the pictures in the newspapers.
Niranjan,
Why don’t you answer my questions?
The women in “liberal” societies where pornography is allowed seem to be more attractive than the one’s in conservative societies where sex is taboo. I do think there is a connection… when you ban pornography, you are also trying to stifle a discussion about sex, that includes a particular image of beauty that might induce women to eat right, exercise, and stay fit.
The talking Frog is inclined to hop to the defense of “Liberalism”.
NOT by agreeing with this article. What Niranjan is discussing here is NOT “liberalism” but “libertarianism” The words sound similar but there is a BIG difference. Definitional links below:
Liberatianism: http://www.answers.com/topic/libertarian
Liberalism: http://www.answers.com/topic/liberalism
Liberalism is an important political philosophy loosely holding together diverse values of democracy, equality and freedom.
Libertarianism is a much narrower idea, that weakly and questionably claims to draw its inspiration from certain values of liberalism: such as freedom — but then ignoring the considerations of both positive and negative freedom as expounded by liberal philosophers such as Isaiah Berlin, and eschewing the demands of equality in the traditions great liberal philosophers right up to John Rawls.
Many who hold liberals values (such as this frog) eschew Libertarianism for its narrow and dogmatic interpretations and applications of liberal values.
This frog has seen in Sri Lanka a tendency to BASH “liberal values”. But when the conversation goes deeper, the frog finds that the detractors of liberalism are in fact against “Libertarianism”; not “Liberalism”.
Sir, this frog respectfully croaks against the furthering of such a miserable confusion.
Yapa,
According to you ban on alcohol and tobacco ads in media and billboards is “a lack of respect and intolerance of individuals and the choices they choose to make”.-In my view it is so. People have to be given the choice. That does not mean that everyone will decide to start smoking and drinking by seeing an advertisement. People can think for themselves.
“Do you think publishing the photographs of the porn stars is more damaging to them than publishing their private places and private acts.”-Yes, I do believe that publishing pictures in the newspapers of such actresses is not the right thing to do. The authorities have other means of investigating. The easiest and laziest thing to do is to publish their pictures in the newspapers. Most of the porn actresses act in such films because of the money involved and not because they like it. So you harm them more by publishing their pictures in the press. I mean psychologically . They have been harmed once by those who make such films. It is those who make such films who should be charged in courts.
(If so Ifeel like slapping somebody is an offence while injuring him/herself by tring to kill him or her is not an offence.)- Is this a correct analogy ?
Sri Lankan criminal laws or some of them belong to the victorian era when Britain ruled us. However, Britain itself has changed its legislation to suit the times.
I agree with you on waning of liberalism. Yes compared to the present culture, the culture prevailed during the Kumaratunga and Wickremasinghe administration was more liberal.
I feel your examples (ban on tobacco advertisements and pornography) are not strong enough / efficient to support your claims of waning liberalism.
I would site these instances, if I was you,
* Censoring, scenes of smoking and drinking in movies and Tele-dramas aired on television.
* baning films cotaining immoral material.
* Ban on wrestling programmes on local television.
* Ban on Davinci Code (2006)
So when you speak on something controversial, always try to support your claims with solid examples!
I think most might be losing the big picture… there seems to be more excitement about the writer’s origin of education than the issue in discussion. From what I understand, Niranjan is not trying to downplay the effects of alcoholism or pornography. I think, what is highlighted is the loss of freedom and perhaps even compassion.
How much better do we become by publishing pictures of women who acted in pornographic movies or condoning this action. Do we have the foggiest idea what drove them to such works, and in any case, if we wish to accomplish any kind of social responsibility, it is to reform them and not to humiliate them. Did the magistrate consider the consequences of publishing pictures of these women on a newspaper? They have lives, families and children. Actions such as these amidst a morally-charged society, could lead to extremes such as suicide by these people publicly humiliated. Or is that an acceptable end to these women, according to those that condone it? If the law can take the humaneness out of a situation, then let it not wash its hands off considering the consequences thereafter. If any photographs are going to be published why not consider publishing photographs or even drawings of murderers of the underworld?
It is a sad state of affairs when people of Sri Lanka start to appreciate the dignity of a person being stripped away. Why can’t we consider reforming people instead of publicly humiliating them?
Let’s face it, most of us, publish OUR own views and comments under a pseudonym (I am no exception). That’s how fond we are to be known publicly even for OUR own views. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think it is wrong, in fact, I think it is everyone’s right. All I wish to say is, how can we condone a person’s picture being published on a national newspaper for what is blatantly socially unaccepted when we write our own views (very worthy views even) not even using our own names.
Dear Niranjan,
“I disagree with is the publishing of the pictures of such actresses in the newspapers for identification purposes. That is not a humane thing to do. “
Niranjan, I agree with that individual point myself. I personally believe strongly in individual liberty also. However, the rest of the examples you’ve cited in your article are not necessarily a sign of waning liberalism, which in my understanding is where the disagreements seem to originate from, and not because people are against liberalism per se.
For example, I too personally find all this public smoking to be a menace, not that I give a hoot about individuals who choose to die of cancer, but because second hand smoke affects others around them. Therefore, I welcome attempts to curtail it. The same goes for drinking. We have enough trouble in Sri Lanka because of drunks who starve their poor families to feed their habit and and drivers who mow down pedestrians etc.
Mind you, the “drunk father” thing is a very serious issue especially in poorer segments of society. We don’t have such well established social services as in Britain to clean up the mess afterwards. The same goes for driving. Many people bribe their way out of such offences and the people who actually pay for such recklessness are the victims of accidents. So it’s probably not a good idea to transfer liberties from Britain to Sri Lanka without first considering our economic and cultural context.
Mind you, what has occurred is not a ban on smoking or drinking. Individuals who choose to do so may continue unhindered. It is merely an effort to reduce its allure. For all I care, people can smoke pot or indulge in whatever kind of fascinating peccadillo they choose to in their private lives, sexual or otherwise, as long as they do not impinge upon the freedom of others.
So your article may have been misunderstood because the examples you cited are
a) not necessarily real affronts to liberalism.
b) they do not take local context into account, and are removed from the day to day realities in a poorer country like Sri Lanka.
I would be more worried about things such as perhaps a curtailment to freedom of speech, a ban on eating meat or some such thing.
cheers!
I should add, I don’t disagree with the latter part of your thesis such as “Could it perhaps be that this ultra-conservatism and moral regeneration that is evident in this administration and sections of society is a manifestation of monolithic nationalism which in other words tolerate little variance from the national norms.”
This regime is certainly more conservative than previous ones. But you need to cite better examples to make your case. This is I feel where you otherwise valid criticism has fallen short.
@ Heshan
“I do think there is a connection… when you ban pornography, you are also trying to stifle a discussion about sex, that includes a particular image of beauty that might induce women to eat right, exercise, and stay fit.”
I disagree.. with prohibition comes a decline in quality. Think of drugs and alcohol (at times of prohibition). They are filled with junk that is more dangerous than the banned substances themselves. As supply is restricted, consumers are willing to use inferior quality products. The lower quality in porn would reflect that there are higher risks (so there won’t be as many people willing to supply) and that the issue of demand hasn’t been addressed.
& I think there are enough societal pressures on women to proscribe to certain body ideals; I highly doubt that most get their cues from porn.
There definitely is a waning of liberalism in Sri Lanka.
Liberalism should give rise to/tolerance to multiculturalism is simply not there in Sri Lanka.
A ban on alcohol and tobacco advertisements are example I however would not highlight on as the health effects of alcohol and the cost of that to the Health Department or individual human life are such that alcohol and tobacco advertising should be banned. It is good for one’s health to avoid alcohol and tobacco if possible.
What scares me is the lack of transparency and the unwillingness to bring perpetrates of crime to justice. People are killed (by government agencies e.g. Police, Armed Forces – see BBC) and nobody willing to bring those who committed the crime to justice. Why?
Why cannot individuals who kill or rape women not be brought to justice? Why are for example Tamil or Muslim people alienated and not give justice of their loved ones after the end of the war in the north? Why?
Who and what is one serving – perpetuating crimes … or bring people to justice – bring people to realise that to the law of the land does not permit such (e.g. killing, imprison or torture).
Why does one not have a right to express one’s point of view? Or write or publish one’s point of view? Will death, killing of a person resolve the problem? Sadly, it does not … killing resolves nothing.
There is nothing gentleman about it that is not the way to resolve one’s problems. Problems are resolved through discussion and positive actions thereby brougthout.
Sad, Sri Lanka in slowing slowing refusing to tolerate or accept basic human rights for all her people. All her people are Sinhala, Tamil, Muslims, Christians, Buddhist … the greatest gift from liberalism is the acknowledgement of an equal playing field for every citizen. However that liberalism should be acknowledged at the highest and at government levels.
That every citizen is made aware of basic human rights and made to pay for actions they take that are against the law of the land (e.g. killing of people).
Emergency laws must be now lifted / the war is over and people must be educated on human rights and what happens if they break those rights.
Well, done Niranjan for highlighting the importance of an ideology that will give rise to multiculturalism, fairness to all, fear of the law of the land and most of all freedom to life, liberty and property.
Liberalism has given me my right to my life, my right to my freedom of worship for example and my right to own property. I have understood and value liberalism for I have grown on this when I living in Sri Lanka and elsewhere…
Thank you for this article.
Susan:
I think the main focus of this article is about the banning of liquor, cigarette ads and the publishing of photographs of women who appear in pornographic films. The author also facilitates a discussion about Sri-Lanka’s lack of “liberal” values. But, you seem to be veering away from the subject – just like a few others do on GV – to killings and rape; to multiculturalism and fairness to all, yada yada yada .
You ask, “Why cannot individuals who kill or rape women not be brought to justice?” Who really are those individuals? Regardless of where you live, has any government ever been successful at eradicating rape? Have Middle Eastern countries been successful? Aren’t liberal societies constantly finding new methods of fending off rapists, and advising girls/women to be proactive?
Perhaps you’ve never noticed that, in Western countries, women students and women faculty members on campus are provided security after certain hours to get to the bus stop/parking lot. If you are a woman (I assume you are one), and walking alone in the late hours, don’t you hasten your steps if you notice that the person walking behind you is a man? We can alleviate poverty, but I am not as hopeful about freeing society from sexual predators.
In order to do the latter, we all have a duty to bring up our sons with the same sensitivity as we raise our daughters. Teaching our sons to be kind instead of macho will take society in a vastly different direction.
One more thing, you want us to have “fear of the law of the land” – how scary can such a world be? Your above sentiment reveals an inherent contradiction about liberalism, as “fear of the law of the land” is exactly what people in liberal societies want to get away from!
By the way, Susan, it is certainly kind of you to think about the “alienated” Muslims and Tamils.
As the saying goes, and I particularly like the way one Rasta man put it in a song: “You can fool some people sometime, but you can’t fool all the people ALL the time”!
There definately is a wanning of liberalism in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is turning to be an autocractic society and a soceity for Sinhala Buddhist ONLY.
The true defination of liberalism is not accepted in Sri Lanka – liberalism it is a white man’s burden. It is a Western Christian concept for which unfortunately only the west feels.
These is so much discrimination against Tamil, Muslims and Christians in Sri Lanka … there was so much of it hence the violence we had for 30 years and it is high time crimes against humanity is addressed whether one likes it or not.
People (military and non-military people) who have committed crime (who killed innocent Tamil people during the war days) must be brought to justice. The truth must come out … innocent Tamil people were killed and that must be addressed by our government.
Sri Lanka is not a pluralistic society … it is became intolerant … day by day it is become more and more intolerant.
God Bless Sri Lanka!
It is nice to know that in the world there are civilised societies where foreigners, refugees, minorities are as welcome and protected by law just as much as the local people are.
Disadvantaged people (at the begining as above … ) go on to achieve great heights in those industralised societies much more than they achieved in the oppressived socities they come from because those socities are just and fair to the human spirit (the spirit of liberalism – life, liberty and property).
Minorities and their needs are acknowledged and protected by law in those law abiding societies – societies that are ruled by law not adhoc personal arrangements that change with ‘whatever’ ‘whenever’!
The above societies treat women and men are equal. Womanhood is celebrated and more importantly women are treated as “human” and “beings” and their needs and wants are acknowledged as been natural and acceptable human needs no matter what those feelings and wants are/may be.
People are treated with respect and the law of those lands gives minorities equal rights as their majorities.
The concept of majorities are their right to rule … no longer is there in industralised societies …. industralised societies are fair and just hence their success.
The human spirit / his or her work ethic is what they respect not the colour of the skin and the religion one believes in.
I am happy to read on the internet:
BBC – Police in appeal to trace wanted foreigners in UK (offences include rape) 14 December 2009
BBC – Sri Lanka accuses General Foneseka of betrayal 13 December 2009
Martin Luther King said (my quote may be not exactly correct) “may we be judged by the content of our character not by the colour of our skin”
If that was the truth in Sri Lanka we would had so much progress by now … instead of JVP and LTTE insurgency for 30 years.
We need to be humble and learn alot from the world we live in … because the world is so progressive and it is fair and just.
May God Bless my lovely home Sri Lanka.
As we enter the New Year 2010 may the Prince of Peace, May My Sweet Jesus give our politicians and law makers the strength to enforce law, make people abide law not their personal / primodial ties.
May sweet Jesus give Sri Lanka the strength to walk away from emmergency law and killing of people as a form of silencing people or as a form of / means to an end of answering questions arising within our wonderful and beautiful little polity.
Killing does not answer an questions … narrow points of view answer nothing in a world which judges people by “the content of their character”
May God Bless my beautiful precious Sri Lanka!
My final say on this topic:
* It is good to ban smoking and alcohol because,
(1) The cost that has on the Health Department for treatment and providing health care for cancer patients.
For example, the main cause for lung cancer is smoking and by the time most cases are diagnosed they are incurable. If one wishes to be healthy one thing that may help is no smoking.
(2) Alcohol is no different from the above.
Also the unpleasant people who drink have on their families. I know of so much misery alcohol can cause families – it destroys familes – the children and wives. If drinking alcohol can be avoided what a blessing that is. This is why historically we had the temperance movement. The temperance movement started by Christians was an important issue raised by the Buddhist revival movement.
* Ponography – good or bad?
I view this in a different light. I see this as something through which (an artistic medium through which) men and women excercise their freedom of expression.
I do not know the law of Sri Lanka well enough to write about this issue. In some countries ponography it is totally banned in other parts of the world it is totally acceptable.
In the industrialised world for example in the United Kindgom, posting ponographic material is illegal and access to such images at all places of work is prohibited but of course it is free available as a top shelf magazine, DVD’s etc from your local corner shop.
In the UK, one can buy it and sell it (porn and sex). It is simply a commodity. Many men who come to London from conservative cultures; freely access it and abuse that freely availability including the women involved in it (as their native cultures see porn and sex and the women who engage in it as cheap/discarded/unwanted/unwelcome women – do it, please do, but marry the woman of our family choice). Alot of men are taught/brought up to respect / marry one and have sex with another (different from a woman’s way of thinking). Not all but most (a natural tendency throughout the world).
One thing good about it freely availability is men (specially) don’t have to go underground/with their fellow friends to enjoy the fun, joy and pleasure it brings.
Some men are very decent but all are not. For the indecent ones or more experience ones or the ones who need to experience it/or simply want it – it is freely available without having to go underground. It is something accepted as normal human nature. And as part of that comes sex education and safe sex.
In the Sri Lankan national newspapers I used to read many stories of how Sri Lankan men would go to the West or outside world and come back with sexual diseases inflicting innocent virgin women with their diseases whose lives are destroyed thereafter.
I have yet to hear of one Court case brought against a man who inflicted a woman with for example AIDS. In the West of course there are such cases but stripping of cloths seems to be a worse crime than inflicting a clean woman with AIDS in Sri Lanka.
Also what is crime? My own thoughts are: killing another human being is a crime but stripping one’s cloths off in not. That is my view only – I am not learned or educated in this aspect. So no need to point a gun/any guns at me please!! I am just writing my naive point of view.
Ironically in Sri Lanka too there are alot of prostitutes. I was so amazed to see so many prostitutes down Galle down around 8 pm … and also the condoms dropped down on by-roads to Galle road!! so many of them as my driver used to show me as he drives me back home … and high class sex parties that was also very common of; I got to know about such things when I was living in Sri Lanka not when I was living in the West.
Even in government offices (for example where I used to worked) people used to look at such things …. but of course it is done in the “hush hush”!
And please believe me I am an ordinary citizen not part of any elite at all. It is ordinary people who made me aware of Sri Lankan peoples sex culture (of course Colombo life – including sex and porn).
I don’t know the law about the above issue meaning if the Courts of Law did was right or wrong but what is law? Who made the law? half of it was made by ordinary people who fought their corner for the consciousness they hold.
Good luck to the above women – they should try to go to an Western Embassy and get a visa to go abroad. Your art/talent may be very welcome in the West and you may famous and sucessful as Pamela Anderson is! Good luck to you all!
I will end with Black emancipation in the United States of America (how middle class people / ordinary people change history).
(1) What did Linda Brown’s dad do? Once apon a time, black and white children were not allowed to play or go to school together. One such girl’s dad took that case to court and ended school segregation. The little girl’s name is Linda Brown.
(2) James Meredith was the first black student allowed into an all white University of Mississippi. On his first day a crowd of white people tried to stop him getting in. The National Guard was called to protect him.
(3) The police put in “jail” a black lady who decided to sit at the front of the bus where only white people were allowed to sit. She simply said “No” when she was asked to get up and that end her in jail. That all important lady is Rosa Parks.
(4) Prejudice and segregation cause so much hatred in America. People are equal regardless of the colour of their skin as Lord Buddha says too “it is the content of the character that maketh a man/woman a man/woman”. That formidable man WITH A DREAM was Dr Martin Luther King.
(5) Forty years after Martin Luther King talked about his dream, Barack Hussein Obama became the first black (Afro-American) President of the United States of America. Americans trust and believe in him regardless of his race. He is the 44th President of the United States and don’t we all love him so. x
God Bless Us All!