In a shocking revelation that has rocked the political landscape, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala disclosed in Parliament that 34 individuals with ties to the underworld and drug trafficking networks were fielded as candidates in the most recent local government elections.
The minister’s statement, backed by ongoing investigations, has raised alarm over the deep infiltration of criminal syndicates into Sri Lanka’s democratic institutions. According to intelligence reports, these candidates were not just random entrants but strategically aligned with several mainstream political parties, suggesting a troubling alliance between crime and politics.
Breaking down the numbers, Minister Wijepala said the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) had 9 candidates with underworld links, while the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) fielded 8 such individuals. The People’s Alliance was linked to 4, the United National Party (UNP) had 3, and the Sarvajana Balawegaya included 1 candidate with alleged connections to criminal groups.
The minister warned that these findings highlight a disturbing trend where criminal influence is seeping into local governance, potentially using political legitimacy as a shield for illegal operations.
“This isn’t just a threat to our democracy it’s a threat to national security,” he emphasized, urging urgent reforms in candidate screening and political accountability.
The revelation has sparked immediate backlash from civil society organizations and watchdog groups, demanding a full public disclosure of names and stricter enforcement of laws preventing individuals with criminal affiliations from contesting elections.
With public trust already on shaky ground, this explosive report may redefine the conversation on how Sri Lanka safeguards its democracy from not just foreign threats, but those lurking within.
