Net the 'big fish'

The people would have reason to be happy with the way Police investigations are proceeding in the scandal which has come to be known as the "Visa Scam".

Apparently, no stone is being left unturned in this probe and the Police net seems to be closing in on the prime suspects. Our only hope is that the "big fish" in this scandal and not only the "sprats" would be netted.

As is well known, the scam is believed to have been hatched within the precincts of the Sports Ministry and we call for the subjection of all suspects to the due process of the law, regardless of their social standing and official position. It is learnt that a Minister too is implicated in this offence and we urge that the law be applied in a non-discriminatory fashion to cover this person too. In short, no-one should be considered as being above the law.

We regard this explosive issue as a test case for the Government. If the law is applied equally and fearlessly, the State would win glowing public accolades for being instrumental in bringing justice and having exemplarily upheld the Rule of Law. So be it, is our wish.

There is hardly any need to freshly underscore that successive governments so far, have not proved to be beyond reproach on matters such as these which have profound implications for good governance and the sustaining of the Rule of Law. Somehow, the "big fish" have not been brought to justice while the "sprats" have been netted in the misleading belief that the law has been enforced.

The brazen use of such double standards has only accelerated the breakdown of law and order and earned for Sri Lanka in the past, the unenviable title, "facade democracy". Let us not tread this ignominious path once again. Let the law be applied equally and impartially and tremendous respectability be acquired for Sri Lanka.

Even from the viewpoint of the judiciary and law-enforcement agencies, firm and impartial law enforcement is the crying need. The scrupulous dispensing of justice would win for these institutions, high acclaim and commendation.

Finally, it is democracy which would emerge triumphant because a vibrant judiciary is an essential precondition for a country's democratic health.

A connected issue to which we have given expression before, is the continuation in high office of those suspected of grave crime. This is totally unacceptable, particularly from the point of view of maintaining the integrity of high public office and also from the viewpoint of carrying out the due process of law.

High public office should never be brought into disrepute but this would happen if suspects of grave crime are allowed to continue in office. They should be asked to step down from office until investigations are completed.

Besides, probes need to be conducted impartially. This would not be possible if high position-holding suspects use their position and power to influence the investigations. The State should guard against these possibilities.