A PRIVATE AFFAIR?

LET THESE NOT BE ‘DOMESTIC’  ISSUES

By Vagisha Gunasekara

Few weeks ago, MP Upeksha Swarnamali’s (aka Paba) high profile domestic violence story adorned nearly every newspaper in  Sri Lanka. Though some saucy details of the violence she experienced were described, others got lost in translation.  For instance, Paba and her husband were the cynosure of all eyes.
Yet security personnel and their reluctance to intervene was addressed ever so casually.  It was also reported that well-wishers and the police had the best interests at heart and are now devising a solution that would safeguard their marriage (leaving aside the minor detail of violence in a family).  Ms. Upeksha’s expose begs a series of important questions about domestic violence and our perception of the issue in Sri Lanka.  Is it a ‘private’ matter?  Why do we excuse violence when it is committed by an intimate partner?  Why do we always give priority to saving not-so-holy unions at the cost of individual safety and health?  

Read more »