The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity.

¶ 02 While the Hon. Prime Minister is in the House, I wish to raise this matter and seek a response. From the 18th to the 21st, eight homicides have occurred within four days. This is a serious national security issue. The President has stated it is not a national security problem. The culture of killings among underworld gangs is in fact a grave national security concern.

¶ 03 On the day of that heinous murder inside a courtroom, numerous media outlets carried a colour photograph of the woman involved accompanied by what was a profile from the intelligence services. That intelligence report had reached the security agencies and law and order agencies. It was stated in this House that the attack was to occur in the Gampaha area. This is a serious matter. When national security information is available, including a coloured photo and a profile, the country and this House require a clear explanation of this security failure.

¶ 04 In particular, the operations of these robber-gang mafias and hired killers is indeed a national security issue. We need a clear analysis and explanation. When intelligence is received, there must be a more structured, disciplined response mechanism.