LACK OF RESPECT FOR THE LAW!!!

Lack of respect for the law

Reference ex-Senior D.I.G. Mr. Edward Gunawardana’s letter in ‘The Island’ of 26/11, I recall to this day a comment my late father made after attending the opening of Parliament in 1956 following Mr. S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike’s victory.

He and my mother had been guests at the opening ceremonies in his official capacity and also as a close friend of the PM. At the end, a huge crowd who were outside the building, rushed the building. When the police quite rightly tried to stop them, the new Prime Minister ordered that they be let in, stating it was the house of their representatives and thus their house too.

Looking at the mob inside the chamber with some sitting on the Speaker’s chair, my father had commented; "today marks the day when respect for the rule of the law is no more. All it will lead to is further deterioration and loss of respect for the established and hitherto respected institutions. Banda will have to pay a big price for this someday."

Little did he realise what a big price it would be. He only realised that a Pandora’s box had been opened that day. To this day we pay the price for it.

Dr. S. Abeyesundere,
U.S.A.

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