Criminals maintain contacts with politicians who were in power

Newly appointed IGP, Priyantha Weerasooriya, yesterday said that links between some politicians who had been in power previously and drug traffickers and other criminal gangs had already been identified and the culprits would face legal consequences in due course.

The IGP said that there was an urgent need for new laws to effectively combat the country’s rising crime and drug-related activities. He said that the current legal framework was inadequate for supporting sustained raids and enforcement actions.

“We have informed the President, the Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Public Security that special operations targeting crime and drug networks cannot continue effectively under the existing laws,” he said. “New legislation is being drafted to address these requirements.”

Weerasooriya commenting on the increasing number of violent incidents, including recent shootings, said that the majority of them were orchestrated by individuals operating from overseas through local associates.

He said that some of those involved in these criminal networks included military deserters and some members of the police force.

“To address this, we will begin with a comprehensive cleansing of the Police service, and then extend our focus to broader issues,” he said.

The IGP also highlighted the circulation of illegal firearms in the country, noting that a significant number were in civilian hands; they, he said, included weapons from the tri-forces, former LTTE arms, and firearms stolen from both the armed forces and the Police. Ongoing investigations are looking into the origins of these weapons.The new IGP reiterated that strict disciplinary action would be taken against any police officers found to be involved in criminal or drug-related activities.

By Hemantha Randunu