(COLOMBO) – Sri Lanka’s Public Security Minister Tiran Alles received a threatening call on Thursday from a suspected overseas underworld figure shortly after he held a media briefing on the progress of an island-wide special operation, code named “Yukthiya” (Justice) to nab drug dealers and criminal operatives.
The caller began by questioning the Minister’s remarks where he hinted at using maximum force against underworld criminals and warned that “he would be taken care of shortly”.
Minister Alles responded to the caller, “I will finish this job. I am committed to doing whatever is necessary.”
“I am conducting this operation within the bounds of the law. Regardless of the pressure, I will persevere and take necessary actions Alles said.”
Minister Alles stressed on an unwavering commitment to continuing the operation to suppress drug trafficking and underworld activities in the country, regardless of external pressures.
Thousands of persons have been arrested and quantities of drugs, real estate, vehicles, weapons etc. have been seized in the operation that began on Sunday and will end on Christmas Eve.
Critics have described the operation as a mere ‘road show’ saying the real culprits behind the illegal drug trade and crime syndicates are known to police but allowed to remain scot free while the lesser operatives are arrested simply to add on the numbers.
