Pathetic Surrender Of Free Speech; BBS Dictates Who Can Hold Protests And Who Can’t

By  Vishwamithra1984  - August 20, 2014 

“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” ~Helen Keller

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued on Tuesday, August 12, 2104, restraining orders on the Thawheed Jamath, Bodu Bala Sena and Sinhala Ravayaorganizations preventing them from holding demonstrations and protests in Colombo and the Colombo Fort area. The demonstrations were scheduled for Wednesday, August 13. The Police making the announcement regarding the said court order stated: “The court order was issued by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court following information given by the Colombo Fort police that demonstrations were planned for today by the Thawheed Jamath, Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) and Sinhala Ravaya (SR) organizations.”

What seems to be a victory for peace is in fact a dangerous alternative to the surrender of two fundamental rights, freedom of movement and freedom of speech assured to all Sri Lankans by our Constitution. Once again the Bodu Bala Sena and its fellow travelers have scored a point. And the Rajapaksas stand to gain at least on two fronts. Firstly, they give an ostensible reason why we must have peace in the midst of our City centers and secondly, they hide their hypocrisy in their Middle-East policy of backing the regime of Israel that is considered the world over as practicing ‘apartheid’, while portraying themselves as supporters of the Palestinian Liberation Movement. Running with the hare and hunting with the hound continues, even on the international stage.

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We Received Mahanayakas Blessings: BBS

August 20, 2014

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) infamous for propagating anti-Muslim sentiments has claimed they have received the blessings of Mahanayake theras to field a candidate at the upcoming Presidential election.

Gnanasara

Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, the BBS General Secretary Galagoda Atte Gnanasara had stated that it is likely they would field a candidate who can promote their agenda if they are not able to find a suitable candidate among the existing candidates.

“We will try to direct the leaders already there, on the correct path and if we fail to do so, we will come up with a new candidate who will be a national leader and support him. We have also received the blessings of the Mahanayakas for this initiative,” he had stated.

Moreover, Gnanasara had said that the BBS will be making preparations to promote the candidate of their choice by the end of September.