The grant of presidential pardon, on Thursday, to a Sri Lankan soldier on death row for murdering eight Tamil villagers has sparked justified outrage among those who have been demanding justice from the state for past crimes. Five soldiers were indicted, and a special provision for having a trial before a bench of three high court judges was invoked. It hardly needs emphasis that the exercise of the power of pardon is an act of compassion, and not a tool for political or electoral messaging. The process of granting pardon may have been going on in the run-up to the polls. The pardon, granted at a time when the country’s focus is on fighting COVID-19, is a serious setback to hopes that accountability could be brought about in Sri Lanka through domestic mechanisms.

Source: The Hindu March 29, 2020 18:22 UTC