Threat to IGP Is a Threat to the Rule of Law

COLOMBO (News 1st); Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala has accused the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) of attempting to undermine the country's investigative and judicial processes, claiming that remarks made by SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam regarding Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya amount to a threat against the rule of law itself.

Speaking during a special interview with News 1st, the Minister said the government views the statement as a deliberate and calculated move rather than an isolated remark.

Responding to a question on whether the statement was made casually or intentionally, Wijepala said similar remarks had been directed in the past at senior officials involved in key investigations, including Criminal Investigation Department Director Shani Abeysekara, Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne and Bribery Commission Director General Ranga Dissanayake.

He also alleged that certain Opposition MPs have recently used parliamentary privileges to make remarks targeting the Chief Justice.

According to the Minister, these developments point to what he described as an organised effort to obstruct investigations being conducted into bribery, corruption, fraud and the alleged misuse of public property.

Wijepala said threatening the Inspector General of Police should be viewed as a threat against the entire judicial process and the country's legal framework.

He revealed that the Inspector General of Police has already lodged a complaint with the Colombo Central Crimes Investigation Bureau and that investigators immediately commenced inquiries after receiving the complaint. Statements are currently being recorded as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Minister further claimed there were concerns that supporters could be provoked into carrying out unlawful actions, describing the remarks as serious and inappropriate for a senior representative of a recognised political party.

He also accused senior SLPP figures, including Namal Rajapaksa, of reinforcing the statement through comments made under parliamentary privilege.

According to Wijepala, such actions constitute a threat not only to the Inspector General of Police but also to law enforcement, the justice system and public order.

The Public Security Minister said the government believes the remarks are intended to create public hostility towards the President and erode public confidence in the government.

He warned that authorities would not hesitate to take action against anyone attempting to incite the public, obstruct public officials or threaten state officers carrying out their duties.

During the interview, attention was also drawn to what was described as a long-standing pattern of pressure being exerted on investigators and investigative institutions.

Responding to that observation, Wijepala said it was true that many investigations in previous years had been halted, delayed or abandoned altogether.

He pointed to instances where legal proceedings and investigations were allegedly withdrawn or disrupted, claiming that politicians and governments of the time had a vested interest in weakening investigative processes.

Wijepala argued that the public was fully aware of the shortcomings of past investigative processes and that this was one of the reasons voters had elected the current administration.

He said the government's mandate was rooted in a public demand for accountability, the continuation of investigations and the establishment of the rule of law.

According to the Minister, restoring justice, dignity and fairness to society remains one of the central objectives of the current administration.

Wijepala maintained that the government has continued to pursue that objective since assuming office and pledged that investigations and accountability measures would continue in a strong, efficient and uninterrupted manner.