A blot on democracy

Another editor was attacked in broad daylight on Friday morning. Rivira Editor Upali Tennakoon was clubbed and stabbed by unidentified men on motorcycles, in a chilling repeat of the attack on Sunday Leader Lasantha Wickramatunga, minus the guns. Fortunately, Tennakoon lived to tell the story.

This is the third attack on the media in as many weeks, the first one being the destruction of the Sirasa Main Control Room in Pannipitiya. The Government has vehemently condemned the latest attack and President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the IGP to expedite investigations into all three incidents. Several suspects have been arrested in the Sirasa case.

As the President has instructed, the police and relevant authorities must expedite their probes and bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible. Attacks on media are not a healthy trend and all steps must be taken to stop this cycle of violence. A journalist is armed only with a pen, not with a gun. Any armed man attacking an unarmed journalist is an act of sheer cowardice, whichever way one looks at it.

The authorities must pursue all possible angles and leads in investigating these crimes. It has been pointed out that elements who wanted to divert attention away from the Forces' military victories and sully their reputation could be behind these attacks. Such a treacherous conspiracy, if it exists, must be exposed and those behind it punished severely.

It goes without saying that the media must behave responsibly with a national consciousness at this crucial hour when the total eradication of LTTE terrorism is just weeks away. The publication or airing of certain sensitive information may indeed help the enemy, demoralise the Security Forces and affect the ongoing military offensives. The media must refrain from committing such unpatriotic acts.

The public has the right to information. It is a delicate balancing act the media are called upon to perform in these trying times, but no one can deny the public their right to information. The freedom of expression and the right to information are two sides of the same coin. One cannot exist without the other.

What appears in the media may not be palatable to all, but that is the essence of democracy. If such information is incorrect or damaging to certain individuals or organisations, there are legal mechanisms in place to seek redress. Attacking the press and shooting the messenger is not the answer.

Attacks on the media reflect a dangerous trend where the rule of law is being disregarded. It is up to the authorities to take swift action on these attacks in order to uphold the rule of law.

Any attack on the media is a blot on our democratic traditions. A free media is a hallmark of a vibrant democracy. The tolerance of various views is an essential part of this exercise. Action must be taken against any elements trying to stifle this freedom. The Police must leave no stone unturned to catch the culprits responsible for these dastardly acts.

Musings on canine luxury

World's first five-star hotel for dogs opened recently near Munich, Germany. A "suite" there costs a minimum of 80 euros per night, an amount equivalent approximately to Rs. 11,000. The canine resort is equipped with a 350 sq. km play area, 24 hour reception, massage services and other facilities.

Those of us who may have to save several months income to enjoy a single night of five-star luxury should not envy the comforts of our Western canine friends or look down upon this canine extravagance when more than half the world's population live on a meager income of less than 2 dollars a day.

Nor should our own "pariah" dogs, more native than those of Occidental origin should feel insulted by the treatment they get at the hands of their masters and even master's neighbours. Unfortunately they also have to bear up with the not so honourable habit of we Sri Lankans to worship anything foreign, be it toys, dresses, industrial goods, perfumes, candies or even dogs and asses for that matter.

Together with our dogs let us not envy our canine friends in the West.

After all, comfort and suffering, wealth and the lack of it that we beget are in direct proportion to the merits accrued by each of us in our previous births.