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THE OBSERVER

The Oldest English Newspaper in South Asia
Founded 4.2.1834
P. O. Box 1217,
35, D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha,
Colombo 10, Sri Lanka.
Telephone: Editor - 94-1-429226; Fax: 94-1-429230

Discipline

The clash in Kandy earlier this week between Army and Police personnel may easily seem a simple question of discipline in our security establishments. Increasingly, however, Sri Lankans are becoming aware that the crisis of discipline in our state institutions is not merely an institutional problem but has its ramifications in the larger society.

The degree to which corruption and the abuse of power has become endemic in our state institutions is a reflection of the degree to which our society, as a whole, has lost its sense of discipline, its aachaara dharma. The problem of indiscipline in our police and armed forces is not merely an internal malaise. Rather, it is also due to extreme pressures these institutions must endure in this era of fratricidal internal war, intense politicking and economic deprivation.

Due to urgent needs of the war, soldiers and police personnel are recruited in a hurry and given the minimum preparation for situations in which they must fight for their very lives (let alone their country). Given the divisive ethnic politics as well as well as the social class war that has sporadically broken out, the rank and file is not even clear as to whom it must target as the 'enemy': terrorist, insurgent, militant or subversive? Neither are our so youthful sebalu and raalahaamis clear as to what or whom they must defend: the state, nation, race, religion or, ruling party? Worse: given the complexities of our national situation, they are expected to win wars while simultaneously being ready to suspend hostilities and befriend their enemy whenever it is convenient for the political leaders.

How can this young flesh and blood bear the strain of battle as well this social conundrum? Something has to give and does so.

The larger society has to empathise with the men and women of our police and armed forces while, at the same time, taking action to ensure better discipline not only in these embattled institutions but also in our larger society.

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