There is a latent military machine operating under the
cover of the civil political power. This latent machine is not under
the control of the political power, nor is it answerable to any other
authority.
Though the president has appointed many committees to look into
abductions, disappearances and killings, and also attacks on media
people , none of these can look into the actions of the military
underworld which has become an authority for it itself.
In fact even ministers sitting in these committees are living in fear.
This is clear from what they say in relation to powers given to them to
investigate into HR violations. Their press conferences are confusing
to say the least. Most recent is the committee to look into violence
against the media. Some are of the view that one should be happy that
the basic features of civil government are still intact.
It may be that the latent machine is not yet ready to come out to claim
political power as well. On the other hand, it may be happy to keep the
civil political power to satisfy the needs of the people and to control
the public unrest. Whatever the reason the latent machine is happy to
keep its privileges, continue all corrupt practices, and intimidate all
those who dare to criticize its activities.
This is nothing strange. Such things have happened in
many countries which were involved in continues wars. War creates hero
concept and all those who are involved in the war directly, becomes
heroes. Slowly and steadily society will be brought to a point where
such heroes become demy gods beyond criticism. They will be given a
highly privileged position with priority in all aspects of daily life.
They will get priority in education, health transport, housing etc. All
these will add to their belief that they can get away with any thing
including murder.
Even the prominent bourgeoisie groups such as elite professionals, rich
businessmen will get marginalized in their struggle for privileges in
the society. Entire bourgeoisie society will come under a burden that
cannot be tolerated for long.
After some time when initial profit margins go down and inflation
become intolerable these rich men will become sincere liberals. Then
all concepts in the society get negated. Campaign for peace will come
to the top. War mongers will get discredited. Demand to bring the
latent military authority under control and the rule of law will become
the popular slogan.
In here, the voice against the hero has begun. There
was criticism in all papers about various aspects of the war. Some of
the information has directly come to media people from military
officials who are treated unjustly or not willing to participate in
incorrect and corrupt practices. Attacks, abductions and threats
silenced some of the media people who took initial steps to expose the
deficiencies in the war machine. Some were killed.
But the journalist thirst for the truth could not be suppressed by such
actions; not even by death threat. A new wave of young media people has
used their pen and the cell phone to expose the truth daringly. Latent
machine could not stand such obstinacy from civil journalists. Brutal
attacks, some times in broad day light, shook the civil society to its
roots.
Media organizations were able to create a broad protest movement in
which Ranil, the undisputed leader of the rich bourgeoisie, marched
hand in hand with orthodox Marxists! This will increase the urgency
within the latent machine and it will look for other methods of
attacks. On the other hand the government has no real answer. The civil
police are not capable of any action against the attackers. They show
their incapacity by pretending to not to know the reality. By trying to
create humor out of tragic incidents IGP has become himself a joke.
The real answer to this brutal problem is
the end of the war. Mahinda desperately gives into the latent machine
expecting a grand victory in the near future. Nothing satisfies this
creature. The JVP which is, equally or more so, responsible in creating
this monstrous situation, now has come out to demand relief to the
masses.
The struggle they started has become a general fight against
the latent machine. The slogan used against the media people and before
that against the left is now used against the JVP. Apparently today,
the JVP are the biggest supporters of the LTTE. The chicken has come
home to roost!