The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Chief Government Whip

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the President, as Minister of Defence, has made several statements on this. This incident has not created a threat to national security. We ensure maximum public and national security. Regarding organized criminal gang clashes, the President also clarified matters at the Defence Ministry’s Advisory Committee. Hon. Ananda Wijepala, Minister, also briefed this House. You would have seen that investigations are ongoing. Therefore, we need not disclose all investigative particulars to Parliament in a way that would hamper them.

¶ 02 Officers connected to the incident within the Police and other security sectors have already been taken into custody and are being questioned. Members of the judiciary connected to matters are also to be questioned. We will present necessary information to Parliament in due course, without prejudicing investigations. If more information is needed, on the 28th there will be a debate at the Defence Ministry and Public Security committees; we will present what can be disclosed without hampering inquiries. Trust the investigations—those responsible are being arrested and inquiries are underway.