POLITICS • ANALYSIS

Accountability or Political Revenge? The Test Sri Lanka Must Apply to Every Government

Power should never create immunity. Opposition status should never create guilt. Sri Lanka needs one evidential standard for everyone.

Recent investigations involving members of the Rajapaksa family have again placed accountability at the centre of Sri Lankan politics. Government supporters describe the investigations as evidence that powerful people are no longer beyond the law. Political opponents have alleged a witch-hunt. Neither description, by itself, proves what the cases are.

The correct democratic test is simpler: investigate credible allegations independently, disclose the case that must be answered, respect bail and trial rights, allow the defence to challenge the evidence and let courts determine criminal responsibility.

Arrest Is Not Conviction

An arrest or investigation should never be reported as proof of guilt. Equally, political prominence, popularity or past public service cannot be a shield against lawful investigation. Those principles must operate together.

This standard must apply to the Rajapaksas, the current government, former administrations and whoever governs Sri Lanka next. Selective accountability eventually becomes political power; consistent accountability becomes rule of law.

The Credibility Test

The strongest anti-corruption system is one citizens would trust even when it investigates the political side they support. That requires independent institutions, transparent procedure, timely trials and evidence capable of surviving scrutiny in court.

Sri Lanka does not need immunity for powerful families, nor guilt by political association. It needs institutions strong enough to establish individual responsibility on evidence.

This analysis does not determine the guilt or innocence of any person currently under investigation or before a court.