“A Crime Empire Beneath the Surface” – President Drops Shocking Truth

COLOMBO (News 1st): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has raised serious concerns over the state of public security in Sri Lanka, revealing alarming findings about the circulation of military-grade weapons and the infiltration of criminal elements into law enforcement agencies.

Speaking at the Satana political discussion program, the President stated, “National security is one thing, but public security is another—and it is facing an issue.”

The President disclosed that 73 T-56 assault rifles originally issued to the military had ended up in the hands of unauthorized individuals. 

While 38 of these weapons have been recovered, 35 remain unaccounted for. “These weapons were taken from a single military camp. We are now conducting a full audit of weapons issued to both the military and police,” he said.

The audit, he warned, is already revealing a “very dangerous picture.” 

In many cases, weapons were issued without proper documentation. “Some individuals have come forward to return firearms, but there are no records of how they were issued. In one case, a former President’s son held seven firearm licenses. Were they going hunting at night?” he questioned.

Despite a surface-level calm, the President painted a grim picture of a sprawling underground crime network. “There is a crime empire operating beneath the surface—one that involves drugs, politics, and international coordination. This network must be dismantled,” he asserted.

He noted that while the current violence appears to be gang-related, the government has launched investigations and made arrests, including the extradition of suspects from overseas. “We are committed to eradicating this network, but it will take time. The web of crime is widespread and deeply rooted,” he said.

Perhaps most troubling were revelations of law enforcement officers being complicit in violent crimes. “A police officer from Tangalle was arrested in connection with the Middeniya murders. Another from Negombo was involved in a courthouse killing. Some shootings were carried out using former soldiers,” the President revealed.

He acknowledged that the institutions tasked with protecting the public are, in some cases, entangled in the very crimes they are meant to prevent. “This is a dangerous and unacceptable situation. But we have a plan, and it is already in motion,” he concluded.