Sri Lanka's Deep Wounds: Why Ending Elite Impunity Is Just the Beginning

The recent arrest of Basil Rajapaksa, a figure synonymous with the Rajapaksa family's controversial political dynasty, has undeniably sent ripples of hope through a nation yearning for justice. For many, it's a symbolic victory, a tangible sign that the era of elite impunity might finally be drawing to a close in Sri Lanka.

The 'aragalaya' – the powerful people's uprising – had specific targets, and seeing one of them brought to book feels like a vindication. Yet, as this nation stands at a critical juncture, it's imperative to look beyond this individual act and confront the more profound, systemic challenges that have long plagued its governance.

While holding powerful individuals accountable for corruption and abuse of power is a crucial first step, it is by no means the ultimate solution.

The 'aragalaya' rightfully spotlighted the Rajapaksas, but the truth is, they were symptoms of a much larger, more insidious disease within the body politic. The ecosystem that enabled their rise, their alleged misdeeds, and their prolonged hold on power – characterized by a weakening of democratic institutions, rampant majoritarianism, pervasive militarisation, and a crippled public sector – remains largely intact.

True accountability must extend beyond the faces of power to those who actively facilitated or passively allowed such abuses to flourish.

It's about dismantling the structural pillars of corruption and authoritarianism. If we merely replace one set of corrupt figures with another, or if the underlying systems of governance remain unchanged, then the cycle of impunity is destined to repeat itself, albeit with different actors.

Alarmingly, under the current administration of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the rhetoric of accountability and economic recovery seems to be a convenient veil for a less democratic agenda.

While promising stability, his government has been criticised for enacting legislation like the draconian Online Safety Bill and introducing a new anti-terrorism law that echoes past oppressive measures. Proposals for a new constitution, if not carefully crafted, risk further centralizing power rather than strengthening democratic checks and balances.

These actions suggest a continuation, rather than a reversal, of the very authoritarian tendencies the 'aragalaya' sought to overturn.

The international community, too, bears a responsibility to look beyond immediate economic stabilization. Their unwavering focus on economic recovery, often divorced from genuine governance and human rights concerns, inadvertently risks legitimizing regimes that fail to uphold democratic principles.

Sustainable development and lasting peace are inextricably linked to robust human rights protections, a strong rule of law, and truly representative institutions. Overlooking these fundamental aspects for short-term economic gains is a short-sighted and potentially dangerous approach.

For Sri Lanka to truly heal and move forward, the message from the 'aragalaya' must be understood in its fullest context: it’s not just about ending elite impunity, but about dismantling the entire architecture that permits it.

This means confronting majoritarianism head-on, demilitarising civilian life, revitalizing independent institutions, and fostering genuine participatory democracy. It demands a fundamental shift towards a rights-based approach to economic recovery, ensuring that the burden of reform does not fall disproportionately on the most vulnerable, and that justice is truly equitable.

The road ahead for Sri Lanka is arduous and fraught with challenges.

The arrest of Basil Rajapaksa, while a significant moment, is merely a single chapter in a much larger, unfolding narrative. The real triumph will come when the nation transcends the symbolic gestures of individual accountability and commits to a profound, systemic overhaul – one that guarantees justice, equity, and dignity for all its citizens, ensuring that the structures of impunity are shattered once and for all.