⚖️ Sri Lanka's Accountability Crisis vs. French Justice

• Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy began serving a five-year prison term for illegal campaign funding, becoming the first former French head of state in modern times to receive a custodial sentence. This highlights the principle that no one, not even a President, is above the rule of law. • In stark contrast, the article notes Sri Lanka has an "abysmal" record on accountability: not a single former Sri Lankan President has ever faced justice for alleged corruption, abuse of power, or human rights violations. • This culture of impunity, which has existed across multiple administrations, continues to corrode public trust. • Specific failures in accountability mentioned include: • Abrupt halting of the Chemmani mass grave investigation (under Chandrika Kumaratunga). • Allegations against Mahinda Rajapaksa concerning war crimes and corruption. • Allegations against Gotabaya Rajapaksa regarding extrajudicial killings and wartime atrocities. • Maithripala Sirisena facing accusations of negligence over the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. • Ranil Wickremesinghe facing accusations of protecting those involved in the Central Bank bond scam. • The conclusion is that Sri Lanka's justice system remains paralyzed by political interference and fear, punishing the powerless while protecting the powerful.