The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I will need more than seven minutes.

¶ 02 During the presidential election, the current President highlighted many issues—shootings on roads, entering homes and buses to shoot; he promised rule of law and said, “Let us strive and see.” Yet, this morning in Kalutara District, another murder occurred. In the past seven months, 43 shootings have been reported and 30 people killed; 23 have been injured. The rule of law is eroding; people are being shot on roads and in homes, and businesspersons are being slain. Underworld gangs kill each other, take contracts, and narcotics trafficking is rampant. I ask the President and this Government: when will you “strive and see”? Seven months have passed, but nothing has been done; the gangs are the ones “striving,” while the Government watches.

¶ 03 Most incidents occur in two provinces—the Western and Southern. If police there cannot institute effective procedures, “strive and see” is meaningless; public lives are unsafe. We do not know when someone will be shot—even speaking here may invite danger. This must be addressed before the country descends further.

¶ 04 Historically, the underworld’s politicization is known. I am not here to apportion blame but to urge us all to devise a joint solution. However, often some in the police are involved—protecting gangs, drug traffickers, and taking money. I refer to some, not all; many officers are good, as are many prison officials. But now those who act are threatened. I saw a message sent to the mother of an officer in Gampaha Prison: “Your son is meddling too much; take care of him,” because he seized all mobile phones inside. Those trying to enforce the law are left vulnerable.

¶ 05 During “Operation Justice,” some suspects lay low, some fled abroad. Now, even when brought to court and bailed, they re-abscond and orchestrate murders from overseas. Is someone protecting drug traffickers? This is becoming a severe crisis.

¶ 06 Children are being caught up. In Matara, two innocent children died when their father was targeted. How will this end? Meanwhile, drugs—heroin, cannabis, “ice”—are fueling many crimes, and the police seem powerless. We expect the Government to resolve this.

¶ 07 Another matter: on 8 April a Motion was presented in Parliament regarding IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. Nine fundamental rights petitions are being heard at the Supreme Court. Is it proper to appoint the very judges hearing those cases to chair a committee on the IGP? We respect Justice Priyasath Dep? No—Justice Priyantha Jayawardena? Correction aside, the point stands: appointing a sitting Supreme Court Justice hearing related matters to head an executive committee offends natural justice. Similarly, Justice Yasanta Kodagoda (as an example of a capable judge) is chairing the committee drafting laws to establish the Office of the Special Prosecutor. In our separation of powers—Legislature, Executive and Judiciary—judges interpret law; they should not be the ones drafting it. If judges draft the law, whom do we approach for interpretation?

¶ 08 These system issues must be corrected. Now to my questions:

¶ 09 1. Since September 2024, how many shootings linked to underworld and other crimes have occurred? 2. What are the numbers of deaths and injuries? 3. How many suspects have been arrested for these shootings? Please provide figures per incident. 4. How many remain at large? Provide names and related incidents. 5. Do you accept that continued shootings and murders threaten public security? What measures has the Government taken and is taking to suppress killings among underworld groups?

¶ 10 Thank you for the time.