Ratwatte remains the State Minister of Gem and Jewellery-Related Industries, even though he decided to give up his former portfolio, i.e. Even if Ratwatte gave up all his positions, it would be against the rule of law to consider such resignation a punishment. What’s more, the allegations against Ratwatte did not tarnish just his own image as an elected public representative. We may not see it as such, but that is what several foreign news outlets that had reported the incident had highlighted. After all, if a resignation or an admission of guilt can exonerate a person from a deliberate violation of the law, what is the point of having laws?

Source: The Nation September 15, 2021 18:56 UTC