Daily Mirror E-Paper

People duped by distraction

In the recent past, it has been a common trend for sensationalism to obscure and eclipse the more critical events that transpired and gripped the attention of the masses. What has been the outcome of the investigation into the Easter Sunday carnage that was supposed to have been undertaken by high-powered commissions, which impelled His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith to admonish the government for dragging its feet over this matter.

The story that is gaining currency and has captured the masses so rapturously is the alleged sexual abuse and suicide (??) of a domestic aide who worked in the household of a politician. Also, parallelly, we have a spate of strikes and demonstrations that keep hogging the limelight which is some bait to distract the masses. The subtlety of distraction is a good subterfuge to divert the attention of unsuspecting masses, so that they are inclined to forget the more critical issues which have slipped onto the backburner.

The more trending developments such as the controversy over the organic fertilizer is yet another crucial issue that needs judicious attention. The strikes and work stoppages by the academic community and healthcare workers over salary anomalies, and the dispute over the Kotalawela Defence University Act also beg for farsighted and plausible solutions. These developments that have surfaced recently have stealthily sought refuge under the prevailing coronavirus pandemic situation. Nevertheless, the encounter with the pandemic situation is, no doubt, a priority as the health and wellbeing of the nation is more crucial and should be given the attention that is needed.

Sporadic situations seem to be a blessing in disguise to deflect the attention of the masses. Coincidently, we seem to be receiving such events in large measure so that the general tendency is for the citizenry to focus more on their health and wellbeing rather than the topical events that keep emerging day after day. Sanity, no doubt, must prevail as the health and wellbeing of the nation in these trying times play a crucial role, while the distractions hold sway. - DON PETER, DEHIWELA

EDITORIAL

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2021-08-05T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-08-05T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://dailymirrorepaper.pressreader.com/article/281659668090798

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