The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa raised a Standing Order 27(2) question alleging that the Government’s measures to prevent shootings, killings, threats, and gang-related violence are inadequate, citing 79 shootings and 28 deaths over eight months. He asked the Government to present a specific plan to address the violence, clarify its implications for national security, tourism, and investment, and outline alternatives to current anti-crime efforts. He also sought updates on action taken over death threats and attacks involving MPs, public officials, provincial politicians, and attorneys, and called for measures by the Minister of Public Security and the Speaker to ensure the safety of citizens and elected representatives.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, under Standing Order 27(2), I raise the following:
¶ 02 Ensuring the right to life and the rule of law is a primary duty of any government. However, the present Government has failed to prevent shootings, killings, and threats taking place across the country. Despite questions raised by me and other MPs in this House, adequate solutions have not been provided. Therefore I ask:
¶ 03 1. Does the Government admit that its current programme to prevent shootings, killings, and threats nationwide is inadequate? In the past eight months there have been 79 shootings and 28 deaths. Will the Government present to this House its specific plan to halt these incidents?
¶ 04 2. Does the Government deny the link between rising violence and national security? Ministers keep saying killings have no connection to national security. Rising violence adversely affects tourist arrivals and foreign investor attraction. Has the Government focused on this?
¶ 05 3. Ordinary people, including those mistakenly labeled as suspects and their families, are becoming victims of gang conflicts among narcotics traffickers. As the current programme has failed, does the Government have an alternative programme? If so, what is it?
¶ 06 4. MPs are facing death threats—our Hon. Rohana Bandara cannot freely carry out political work due to such threats. Senior public officials too—for example, the CEO of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority, Saveen Semage—has resigned amid death threats and intimidation. There have also been attacks on provincial councillors and even attorneys like Thusitha Halloluwa. What is the Government’s position and the progress of actions taken?
¶ 07 Given the current environment, there is a grave threat to the civil public as well as to opposition representatives engaged in public service. Mr. Speaker, you and the President bear responsibility for the safety of MPs and citizens. What steps will the Minister of Public Security and you, Mr. Speaker, take? We seek a clear, structured response from the Government.
Provenance
- Source
- Hansard, Tuesday, 20 May 2025 ·No. 1749010823009957 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 20 May 2025. No. 1749010823009957. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/25807