-By Muslim Affairs Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -10.Feb.2025, 11.20 PM) Politics and drama go hand in hand, especially when a Member of Parliament finds themselves caught between the shadows of their past and the bright lights of the legislative stage. Enter Nizam Kariapper, a Nationalist MP who didn’t exactly waltz into Parliament on the strength of a popular vote but rather slipped through what many would call the “back door.” And now, in a twist straight out of a political thriller, he’s taken to shouting and screaming about the Attorney General’s Office—the very institution where he once held a position.
But here’s the real question: is his newfound vocal opposition a genuine crusade for justice or just an elaborate act to paint himself as a hero from the Eastern Province? Let’s dig into what Kariapper isn’t telling the public and uncover the inconsistencies in his loud proclamations.
Nizam Kariapper’s main bone of contention seems to be the Attorney General’s decision not to pursue charges against three individuals in the high-profile Lasantha Wickrematunge murder trial. Now, this is undoubtedly a case that captured the nation’s attention, and calls for justice are valid. But Kariapper’s grandstanding raises an eyebrow or two.
For someone who claims to know the ins and outs of criminal law, his credentials are surprisingly underwhelming. He doesn’t hold a PhD in law, hasn’t authored any significant works on criminal justice, and certainly isn’t a globally recognized criminologist. Yet, here he is, playing the role of a self-proclaimed legal expert in Parliament. Is this the voice of an informed legal mind, or just a performance to distract from other, less comfortable truths?
Before Nizam Kariapper takes another stand in Parliament, perhaps he should first answer for some unresolved cases from his own community—cases that occurred right under his nose during his tenure at the Attorney General’s Office.
Let’s revisit the August 2009 incident in Beruwala, where a crowd of over 1,000 people from the Buhari Takkiya congregation attacked the Masjidul Rahman in Zain Mawatha during its 135th-anniversary celebrations. The violent clash resulted in the deaths of two Muslims and injuries to 40 others. And yet, more than a decade later, the Sheikh of the Buhari Takkiya, widely believed to have orchestrated the attack, has not been charged.
So, Mr. Kariapper, where was your outcry then? You worked in the Attorney General’s Office at the time—why wasn’t justice served for these victims? It’s easy to shout about high-profile cases in Parliament, but what about the everyday people in your own community who still wait for justice?
And it doesn’t stop there. Kariapper’s political affiliations also raise serious questions about his selective sense of justice. Let’s talk about the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) member Naufer, who was murdered in China Fort. This wasn’t a random act of violence—it involved the bodyguard of Imtiaz Bakir Marker, the current chairman of Kariapper’s own party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).
This wasn’t just a tragic loss; it was a political scandal that reeked of a cover-up. The bodyguard in question was carrying unauthorized weapons, and the legal proceedings were, to put it mildly, a shambles. Yet, we’ve heard little from Kariapper about this glaring injustice. Why the silence? If you’re going to demand justice, Mr. Kariapper, shouldn’t that include justice for your own party members as well?
It’s one thing to demand justice for high-profile cases that win public sympathy and media coverage. It’s another to address the painful, unresolved issues within one’s own community and political circles. Nizam Kariapper seems to suffer from a very convenient form of amnesia when it comes to the latter.
His fiery speeches in Parliament might win applause from some quarters, but they do little to mask the glaring inconsistencies in his record. If Kariapper is truly committed to justice, why hasn’t he spoken out about the unresolved Beruwala and China Fort incidents? Why hasn’t he used his legal background to push for accountability in these cases?
Kariapper’s selective outrage isn’t just a political strategy—it’s a betrayal of the very principles he claims to uphold. As a lawyer and a Member of Parliament, he has a duty to seek justice not just when it’s politically convenient but especially when it’s uncomfortable and close to home.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “People, beware of injustice, for injustice shall be darkness on the Day of Judgment.” If Kariapper truly believes in this teaching, he should start by addressing the injustices that have occurred within his own community and under his own watch.
Politics is often about optics, but justice is about action. Nizam Kariapper’s theatrical performances in Parliament might make for good headlines, but they won’t bring justice to those who need it most. Instead of trying to be a showman, perhaps it’s time for Kariapper to roll up his sleeves and do the hard, often thankless work of addressing the injustices that have been swept under the rug for far too long.
The people of Sri Lanka deserve more than just grandstanding. They deserve real leadership—leadership that confronts injustice wherever it exists, not just where it’s convenient to highlight. So, Mr. Kariapper, the next time you take to the Parliament floor, remember: actions speak louder than words. And right now, your actions—or lack thereof—are speaking volumes.
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by (2025-02-10 19:33:52)
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