United Republican Front leader Patali Champika Ranawaka has claimed that even organized criminal groups have realized that the current government has no control, leading to a surge in shootings and violent incidents across the country.
Speaking at a media conference in Kandy alongside his party’s candidates contesting the local government elections under the ‘pencil’ symbol, Ranawaka expressed serious concerns about the state of law and order in Sri Lanka.
Ranawaka further stated:
“Organized criminals have understood that this government lacks control. That’s why they are opening fire from all sides. Even former heads of the Prisons Department are being shot—executed in broad daylight, even inside court premises.”
He pointed out that the complete politicization of the Police Department has led to a major internal conflict between the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Deputy Inspector General (DIG), which has now escalated to the Police Commission. This instability, he argued, has trickled down through the ranks, further eroding law enforcement.
“The underworld has realized that the country is lawless. The police have been politicized, with appointments of officers-in-charge (OICs) being influenced by political favoritism. Not just the police, but the intelligence services of the security forces are also being subjected to political interference. As a result, the rule of law is collapsing further.”
Ranawaka described the situation as a “global joke,” pointing out that the police force itself is now tasked with arresting the IGP.
“A journalist close to the government initially claimed that the IGP would not surrender, would not be arrested, and would eventually secure bail through a higher court. The government has acted exactly in line with that prediction. This is a deeply serious legal issue. For a President to engage in such deal-making politics is alarming. However, we hope that the court will ultimately deliver justice in this matter.”
