Comeuppance for some, lessons for others
The past few weeks have seen several high-profile arrests, much to the delight of critics of former rulers whose governments were widely associated with abuse of power, the suppression of democracy, political interference in key state institutions and corruption. The arrest and remand of former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa have triggered what may be described […]
In recent weeks, several high-profile arrests have been made, drawing criticism from those who oppose former rulers known for abusing power and suppressing democracy. The arrest of the former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa has sparked a social media backlash, with government supporters seemingly taking pleasure in the reversal of roles.
The Rajapaksa family, along with their allies, were previously accused of exploiting legal and judicial systems for political gain and targeting opposition members during their rule. Now, they seem to be protesting their own treatment.
The JVP-led government has been accused of resorting to show arrests and detentions to distract the public from pressing issues and advance its agenda. This approach mirrors the cognitive bias known as Maslow’s hammer, where someone with only one tool may see every problem as a nail. Critics argue that the JVP's heavy-handed approach to suppressing dissent is rooted in their political culture and raises concerns about the misuse of state power against opponents.
In response to these allegations, the government's Minister and Leader of the House, Bimal Rathnayake, attempted to refute the Opposition's claims that the current administration is waging a witch-hunt against its political rivals. He argued that most of the cases against opposition politicians and their family members have been filed by past governments, specifically during the Yahapalana and SLPP administrations.
However, this begs the question: if their predecessors are responsible for these cases, why should the JVP/NPP leaders claim credit for seeking justice for corruption?
The repeated misuse of legal processes and administration of justice by successive governments in the country has led to a general distrust in the system. It is crucial that justice is not delayed or rushed, but allowed to proceed without political interference. However, this has not been the case under any government in recent decades.
Suspects are sometimes arrested and remanded even before investigations are fully underway, which could turn law enforcement into a political spectacle and investigations into a mockery of justice in the eyes of the public.
Legal experts warn that premature arrests without reasonable grounds for suspicion can violate individual liberties, compromise the gathering of reliable evidence, and undermine public confidence in law enforcement. Perceptions of justice are as important as the reality, and leaders must remember that they too may one day face the consequences of their actions.
As the country grapples with ongoing controversies, including the release of shipping containers without inspections, coal procurement, the disappearance of funds, and alleged import rackets, the current leaders would be wise to learn from their predecessors' experiences.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
