Democratic dissent is not sedition

Despite claims by the joint Opposition that organised last Tuesday's one-day token strike to protest the steep rise in electricity prices, the event did not, shall we say, bring the country to a grinding halt.

The Government has now adopted a one-to-one confrontational approach; a demonstration for a demonstration; a prorally for a protest rally in a show of strength. It allowed last Tuesday's strike to take place, but unleashed its men and machines, both covert and overt to neutralise the strike.

In a country that is replete with public holidays, this week being one example, the ordinary people seem averse to such work stoppages that disrupt their daily lives. Daily paid wage earners just cannot afford to skip work for a day in these hard and pressing times. The Government should not run away with the thought that the non-participation of many in the strike translates to support for it.

The gloves seem to be off now; Opposition members made it clear that the token-strike was the beginning of their campaign to topple the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government. The swords are drawn as speculation is rife that a major election next year is on the cards.

One can only hope the 'demonstration-for-a-demonstration' approach will not degenerate into an 'eye-for-an-eye' policy. Democratic dissent and opposition must not be viewed as 'terrorism' or 'sedition'. Whatever façade of democracy exists in this country, it must not be allowed to completely disintegrate into a one-party state. No. 08, Hunupitiya Cross Road, Colombo 02. P.O. Box 1136, Colombo

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