Two Justices: Two Laws in One Country

For nine long months, Suhail, a young man, was detained under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) without any proven charges. Recently, the courts declared him innocent and released him, as no evidence of terrorism could be established. Yet, throughout this period, he bore the stigma of being labeled a “terrorist” under a law that is notorious for being used as a political and ethnic weapon.

On the other hand, former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was accused of importing fake medicines into the country—medicines that shockingly contained bacteria and plain water instead of life-saving compounds. These medicines directly endangered public lives, and yet, Rambukwella was released on bail under ordinary criminal law.

This exposes a burning question:

● How many lives were lost because of these fake medicines? Nobody knows.

● Is playing with people’s lives on such a scale not an act of terrorism?

● Why was Rambukwella not charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act?

Had it been a Tamil or Muslim minister caught in a scandal of this magnitude, there is no doubt they would have been instantly branded as “terrorists” and jailed under the PTA.

✦. The Double Standards of Justice

This is not a new phenomenon. In Sri Lanka, Sinhala chauvinist politicians enjoy the protection of one set of laws, while Tamils and Muslims are subjected to an entirely different, harsher set.

● Former Minister Pillayan was imprisoned under the PTA.

● Yet Rambukwella, whose actions endangered thousands of lives, walks free on bail.

This is the living proof of two justices, two laws operating within the same country.

✦. Political Interpretation

The Prevention of Terrorism Act, introduced as a tool to counter terrorism, has in reality functioned as:

● A weapon to silence Tamils and Muslims

● A means to crush political opposition

● A legal mechanism of ethnic discrimination

Those caught under this law are overwhelmingly from minority communities, while Sinhala politicians are shielded by softer applications of the legal system. This reflects the deep-rooted bias of Sri Lanka’s judiciary.

✦. Conclusion:

Today, the contrast is clear:

● Suhail, an innocent man, was unjustly branded a terrorist and detained for months without proof.

● Rambukwella, responsible for importing deadly fake medicines, walks free on bail.

This proves beyond doubt that two laws operate in one nation:

● One law for Sinhala chauvinists

● Another law for Tamils and Muslims

This is the true face of “justice” in Sri Lanka.

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