People&#39;s power? Need to take dispassionate look at the turn of events in Sri Lanka

People's power? Need to take dispassionate look at the turn of events in Sri Lanka

By NS Venkataraman*
Sri Lanka is now getting huge media coverage all over the world on a scale, which is much higher than what Sri Lanka has received at any time in the past.
The media and journalists all over the world appear to be excited about the recent turn of events in Sri Lanka, where some agitators have invaded the Presidential residence without being resisted and the President leaving the residence fearing the invaders.
The journalists and political observers are interpreting the scenario in different manner, with some attributing it to the economic collapse of the nation and others terming it as an indication and trend that could happen in several other democratic countries in the world in future. Some journalists even compare the event in Sri Lanka to what happened in Capitol Hill in the USA, when some supporters of President Trump entered the building and tried to prevent the development that would pave the way for taking over by the next president. All such events are termed as sort of mob rule.
Those who call themselves as one with revolutionary ideas seem to be of the view that this invasion of the Presidential residence by people to force out the President that they do not approve of is an indication of people’s power and is the ultimate development in the evolving process of democratic system of governance.
Fortunately, the President left the residence before the invasion as otherwise, he could have been physically harmed.
It is totally wrong and absolutely counter productive to interpret the invasion of the President’s residence by a section of people as people’s power. The ground reality is that comparatively small section of country’s population took the law into their own hands and wanted to force the events in the way they want. Obviously, there should have been some motivating group behind the invaders, who organised the invasion and who believe in violence to achieve their ends and have their own agenda .
It is true that Gotabayya and his family members who were in charge of governance have been largely responsible for the economic hardships faced by Sri Lanka today. Even then, mob rule cannot be justified to force out the President in a democratic society , where there are set and civilised procedures for opposing the government and where voting out the rulers in parliament is deemed to be an appropriate procedure. The mob rule to force out the President cannot be justified and those who hail the agitators as heroes are doing a grave mistake.
It is extremely doubtful as to whether the above agitators are really angry Sri Lankans, purely for the cause of Sri Lanka. The way they entered the building , enjoyed swimming, played games, cooked food and laughed merrily and looked cheerful really indicated that they could not be the real sufferers. After the initial invasion, many others entered the building more out of curiosity and treating it as a picnic spot, particularly when they realised that police and army would not intervene.
At this juncture, it is necessary to take a dispassionate look at the turn of events in Sri Lanka and how it would affect the future governance in Sri Lanka. This turn of event has created an impression amongst general people that even a fraction of country’s population is good enough to throw out a government, if they would be adequately aggressive. If this impression would spread and prevail, the concept of democracy would go for a toss.
It is unfortunate that no media in Sri Lanka or rest of the world have condemned the agitators and their methods but have largely confined themselves to view the scenario as if it is a matter of sensation and public spectacle and as really due to economic collapse only and perhaps justifying the action of the agitators (invaders).
The concerned people in Sri Lanka who know better should come forward and condemn this behaviour of the agitators who thought it fit to indulge in such methods to achieve their own agenda. They should tell the Sri Lankans clearly that this is not the way of establishing people’s power and this has the effect of adversely impacting the civilised politics in Sri Lanka.
If the public opinion in Sri Lanka and other parts of the world would not squarely condemn the behaviour of the mob to uproot the seat of power by violent and forceful methods instead of the civilised process of voting out inefficient and corrupt rulers, it would be a tragedy for orderly governance in a democratic country
The mob rule in Sri Lanka is a very significant event from the point of view of negativism and the way that it should not be there.
This unfortunate invasion of President’s residence has placed the Sri Lankan democracy at cross roads. While the economic issues in Sri Lanka would be hopefully sorted out soon, it appears that the political issues that it has caused could be a much more grave issue. To overcome this political issue, politicians in Sri Lanka should build themselves to better standards for the sake of the future of this glorious country Sri Lanka.
---
*Trustee, Nandini Voice For The Deprived, Chennai

Comments

From plagiarism to proxy exams: Galgotias and systemic failure in education

By Sandeep Pandey* Shock is being expressed at Galgotias University being found presenting a Chinese-made robotic dog and a South Korean-made soccer-playing drone as its own creations at the recently held India AI Impact Summit 2026, a global event in New Delhi. Earlier, a UGC-listed journal had published a paper from the university titled “Corona Virus Killed by Sound Vibrations Produced by Thali or Ghanti: A Potential Hypothesis,” which became the subject of widespread ridicule. Following the robotic dog controversy coming to light, the university has withdrawn the paper. These incidents are symptoms of deeper problems afflicting the Indian education system in general. Galgotias merely bit off more than it could chew.

Covishield controversy: How India ignored a warning voice during the pandemic

Dr Amitav Banerjee, MD * It is a matter of pride for us that a person of Indian origin, presently Director of National Institute of Health, USA, is poised to take over one of the most powerful roles in public health. Professor Jay Bhattacharya, an Indian origin physician and a health economist, from Stanford University, USA, will be assuming the appointment of acting head of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA. Bhattacharya would be leading two apex institutions in the field of public health which not only shape American health policies but act as bellwether globally.

The 'glass cliff' at Galgotias: How a university’s AI crisis became a gendered blame game

By Mohd. Ziyaullah Khan* “She was not aware of the technical origins of the product and in her enthusiasm of being on camera, gave factually incorrect information.” These were the words used in the official press release by Galgotias University following the controversy at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi. The statement came across as defensive, petty, and deeply insensitive.

Farewell to Saleem Samad: A life devoted to fearless journalism

By Nava Thakuria* Heartbreaking news arrived from Dhaka as the vibrant city lost one of its most active and committed citizens with the passing of journalist, author and progressive Bangladeshi national Saleem Samad. A gentleman who always had issues to discuss with anyone, anywhere and at any time, he passed away on 22 February 2026 while undergoing cancer treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He was 74.

Growth without justice: The politics of wealth and the economics of hunger

By Vikas Meshram* In modern history, few periods have displayed such a grotesque and contradictory picture of wealth as the present. On one side, a handful of individuals accumulate in a single year more wealth than the annual income of entire nations. On the other, nearly every fourth person in the world goes to bed hungry or half-fed.

From ancient wisdom to modern nationhood: The Indian story

By Syed Osman Sher South of the Himalayas lies a triangular stretch of land, spreading about 2,000 miles in each direction—a world of rare magic. It has fired the imagination of wanderers, settlers, raiders, traders, conquerors, and colonizers. They entered this country bringing with them new ethnicities, cultures, customs, religions, and languages.

Thali, COVID and academic credibility: All about the 2020 'pseudoscientific' Galgotias paper

By Jag Jivan* The first page image of the paper "Corona Virus Killed by Sound Vibrations Produced by Thali or Ghanti: A Potential Hypothesis" published in the Journal of Molecular Pharmaceuticals and Regulatory Affairs , Vol. 2, Issue 2 (2020), has gone viral on social media in the wake of the controversy surrounding a Chinese robot presented by the Galgotias University as its original product at the just-concluded AI summit in Delhi . The resurfacing of the 2020 publication, authored by Dharmendra Kumar , Galgotias University, has reignited debate over academic standards and scientific credibility.

'Serious violation of international law': US pressure on Mexico to stop oil shipments to Cuba

By Vijay Prashad In January 2026, US President Donald Trump declared Cuba to be an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US security—a designation that allows the United States government to use sweeping economic restrictions traditionally reserved for national security adversaries. The US blockade against Cuba began in the 1960s, right after the Cuban Revolution of 1959 but has tightened over the years. Without any mandate from the United Nations Security Council—which permits sanctions under strict conditions—the United States has operated an illegal, unilateral blockade that tries to force countries from around the world to stop doing basic commerce with Cuba. The new restrictions focus on oil. The United States government has threatened tariffs and sanctions on any country that sells or transports oil to Cuba.

Conversion laws and national identity: A Jesuit response response to the Hindutva narrative

By Rajiv Shah A recent book, " Luminous Footprints: The Christian Impact on India ", authored by two Jesuit scholars, Dr. Lancy Lobo and Dr. Denzil Fernandes , seeks to counter the current dominant narrative on Indian Christians , which equates evangelisation with conversion, and education, health and the social services provided by Christians as meant to lure -- even force -- vulnerable sections into Christianity.

Search This Blog