Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Grease Yakka or the Grease Devil is affecting the day-to-day lives of Sri Lankans creating a mass hysteria. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The fear and suspicion provoked by the Grease Yaka had caused the deaths of several innocent people so far. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ How the phenomenon of Grease Yaka became infectious and damaged the Nation?

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Grease Yakka is not a newly introduced term and people knew the actions of Grease Yakka long before it became a nationwide problem. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In every village there were a few people who used to have voyeuristic tendencies (or so called Peeping Toms) and sometimes these characters used to disrupt the village harmony. They rarely attacked or raped women but furtively observed naked or sexually active people for his own gratification.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ There were several factors that helped this social malady to grow extensively and out of control. One of the major factors could be identified as over reporting and mass publicity given by the media. Unfortunately many newspapers reported the Grease Yakka saga irresponsibly sometimes exaggerating the facts. With massive influx of information regarding the Grease Yakka it made a panic among the people creating a profound suspicion and it reinforced the deviant characters to act violently. After the wide media coverage in every district Grease Yakkas emerged. This wide media coverage and massive fear gave some individuals a reckless motivation to act like grease devils in their native villages. It gave them sense of authority and control over horrified people. Sometimes these individuals acted as groups terrorizing people, savagely attacking women and sometimes committing thefts. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ As a result of these activities livelihoods disrupted and people especially women lived in constant distress. The plantation areas were badly hit and in some places female employees did not report to work for many days. The Police and the Armed Forces had to deploy a massive numbers of servicemen to maintain ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ law and order. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ All these factors had a negative impact on the national economy. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The secret deaths of seven old women in Kahawaththa made this situation worst and things aggravated beyond control. Fear, suspicion and mass hysteria emerged as a result of this tense situation. Villagers became suspicious of any strangers and several innocent people were misapprehended as grease devils. Several people were beaten to death. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ One Police Officer was hacked to death in Puttalam and the racial tensions escalated. If not for the appropriate action taken, the social malady of Grease Yakka ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ could end up in massive communal violence. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ There were many cases of grease devil attacks. Certain cases had no basis at all. Some women who were attention seekers reported that the grease devils came to attack them worsening the situation further. Some women misinterpreted certain situations and reported that they became under attack. Nonetheless there were genuine attacks and in some events culprits have been identified or captured. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka is still experiencing the ramifications of the post war period. Although there are no hostile enemy attacks or suicide bombings still the psyche of people have not fully apprehended the current peace situation. The elements of fear, tension and anxiety still remain in the collective unconscious of the people who experienced an elongated war. Therefore it is easy to create mass fear psychosis among the public by igniting a social unrest by inflating a social myth. Some criminal groups and the Political Extremists willfully make use of this turmoil situation for their favor. It is very easy to create a panic among the people and the media has utmost responsibility when reporting events. We must not forget that the Rwandan genocide was partially created and escalated by the media.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In a situation like this the public has to fulfill their duties as responsible citizens. To enhance the public safety and strengthening of the community support systems areƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ required. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The public should be vigilant and not be gullible by the erroneous information that they receive. Taking law in to their hands has worst repercussions. In Thotulagala Estate and in Puttalam tragedies occurred when people took law in to their hands.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Community leaders and religious leaders can do a lot to prevent social disorders such as grease yakka menace. Already the grease Yakka plague has attacked the nation causing deep wounds. It is high time that this pandemic ought to be stopped. It can be stopped with the help of the general public. The public must work collectively as well as collaboratively to end the curse of Grease Yakka.