Counter-accounts of the absent state: accounting for violence, silence, and resistance

Purpose – This paper examines the gap between idealized accountability and governance realities during crises, focusing on Sri Lanka’s mandatory cremation policy amid COVID-19. It shows how states exploit crises to entrench informality, evade accountability, and marginalize vulnerable groups. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on Ananya Roy’s concept of state informality, the paper traces how the Sri Lankan state bypassed legal and scientific norms, framing an exclusionary directive as public health policy. A qualitative case study approach analyzes government statements, legal texts, media, and social media to examine how the cremation mandate was constructed, contested, and overturned. Findings – The policy enabled authoritarian consolidation through informality, disproportionately targeting Muslim and Christian minorities and deepening existing inequities. However, civil society mobilized counter-accounts—via protest, legal action, and transnational advocacy—reclaiming democratic space and prompting the policy’s reversal. Practical implications – Policymakers must recognize the dangers of informal rule during emergencies. Transparent, inclusive governance is vital to preventing discriminatory crisis responses. Social implications – The case highlights civil society’s role in resisting authoritarianism and reasserting accountability in times of crisis. Civic voice and solidarity are key to defending democratic values. Originality/value – The case highlights civil society’s role in resisting authoritarianism and reasserting accountability in times of crisis. Civic voice and solidarity are key to defending democratic values.