Sri Lanka, Sept. 14 -- The arrest of SLPP National Organiser and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa over alleged corruption linked to SriLankan Airlines' Airbus procurement has revived one of the most troubling chapters in the national carrier's history. Predictably, some welcome the arrest as proof the Government takes corruption seriously, while others see a politically motivated probe. Both reactions miss the main point.

The Airbus affair is ultimately about establishing who was responsible for exposing billions of dollars of public money, whether illegal payments occurred, and why the system failed to stop it. If found guilty, individuals involved, including Namal Rajapaksa, must face the maximum punishment under the law. Sri Lanka des...