Civil society organizations assert that if the government genuinely intends to establish a new political culture, as pledged during the election campaign, all those responsible for today’s courtroom murder must accept accountability and step down.
While shootings have previously occurred on court premises, this marks the first instance of an individual being shot and killed inside the dock during an ongoing hearing.
In most countries, such a grave security lapse would typically prompt responsible officials to accept accountability and resign. Numerous global examples illustrate this standard practice.
However, in Sri Lanka, it is rare for ministers or officials to take responsibility and resign over such incidents. A notable exception in recent history was the Central Bank bond scandal, in which then-Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake stepped down after accepting responsibility.
Given that the current government came to power vowing to introduce a new political culture, civil society organizations emphasize that ministers and officials should uphold this commitment by accepting responsibility for this serious breach and resigning. Doing so, they argue, would set a vital precedent for the country.
They further highlight the case involving former Speaker Ashoka Ranwala’s doctorate as an example underscoring the need for greater accountability in public office.
