May 04 2018.
views 101Sri Lanka is a country that is facing an unprecedented rise in crimes against females. From suffering rape and incest to murder and beating, the women of this land are a harried lot. One only has to switch on the TV or open the newspaper to see news reports of women being treated in the most despicable manner. On Vesak, the holiest day of the Buddhist calendar, a news clip of women being battered by a group of policemen and women went viral on social media.
In a little hamlet called Nallamudawa in Eppawala, the majority of women in the area had staged an impromptu protest against the return of a monk at the local temple. It is alleged that the monk’s transgressions included sexual delinquency – behavior at odds with the teachings of the religious philosophy he followed. Living in close proximity to a possible predator who could harm their children and even themselves, this was cause for concern for these women and they congregated by the temple to vociferously voice their displeasure.
According to the video footage, the police arrived armed with long poles and started beating the women. There was no warning for the women to leave the place, instead, the police just ran out amongst the women lashing out at them. The scenes that ensued were harrowing.
Policemen and policewomen armed with poles were seen beating these unarmed village women. This was a prime example of police brutality. Some were bundled and taken away to the police station. Sadly the wanton acts of violence have yet again cast a dirty stain on the already much maligned Sri Lankan police force.
It was only recently that the Police declared a proud boast that each police station in the land will have a special counter for women and children to be able to report crimes without fear. How can the police be trusted especially when we witnessed footage of policewomen too, lashing out at other women with poles? This is not civilized behaviour but more akin to meting out jungle justice!
Our ancient texts and even modern songs extol the virtues of women and speak about the respect that should be extended to females, however, in reality, the increase in crimes against women relate a different story. While the perpetrators of these acts of violence in Nallamudawa may get a transfer or a slap on their wrists at worst, the female victims will have to bear the scars of violence and the loss of trust and respect of the very people that were supposed to listen to their laments and protect them against a sexual predator.
By: Miss Seenical
1 Comments
Rahul Perera says:
May 09, 2018 at 01:31 pmMiss Seenical has hit the nail on the head with this article.