Justice Denied: The Rot Beneath Sri Lanka’s Prestigious Awards

Justice Denied: The Rot Beneath Sri Lanka’s Prestigious Awards

The recent incident at the Sirimavo Balika Vidyalaya Colors awarding ceremony has gone viral, sparking widespread public outcry. While the optics are shocking to many, this is far from a new phenomenon in Sri Lanka. The underlying issues of favoritism and procedural failure have been documented for years, reflecting a "behind the scenes" reality that often contradicts the values these institutions claim to uphold.

A Culture of Favoritism

The blame for these systemic failures does not lie solely with the academia; parents are often equally responsible for fostering an environment where prestige is pursued at any cost.

In a recent court ruling regarding a similar incident at a prominent university. In that case, an award was granted to a student described as an "apple polisher," effectively denying the honor to the truly deserving candidate. Although the aggrieved student had the resources and connections to seek legal redress, and successfully proved that the university bypassed established procedures, the victory was bittersweet.

The Limits of Legal Redress

The most disheartening aspect of the judicial process was the court’s admission of its limitations. While the student won the case, the court stated it lacked the legal power to force the university to strip the award from the original recipient and grant it to the rightful winner.

Following this legal revelation, the University Grants Commission (UGC) failed to initiate an inquiry or hold those who manipulated the system accountable. This lack of oversight has reinforced a sense of "untouchability" among those who manage these systems.

The Path Forward: Inquiry or Performance?

In response to the Sirimavo incident, the Ministry of Education has reportedly announced an inquiry. However, several critical questions remain regarding the integrity of this process: 

• Who will sit on the inquiry board?
• Will the proceedings be transparent?
• Will the student body be represented on the panel?

The current expectation is that these inquiries will remain closed-door affairs with little student involvement. In the film Scent of a Woman, a college hearing is conducted in public, leading to a just exoneration. Whether Sri Lanka can move toward such a transparent model of accountability remains doubtful.

As has been famously noted in other political contexts, "dredging and cleaning the swamp" is a monumental task. While the public wants to see how these events unfold, the question remains: will true justice ever be served, or will the system continue to protect its favorites?