SLPP Statement on IGP Triggers Investigation

COLOMBO (News 1st); Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa says a mandatory investigation must be conducted into remarks made by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Attorney-at-Law Sagara Kariyawasam during a media briefing yesterday, which the government believes suggested the possibility of the Inspector General of Police being assassinated in public.

Speaking at the Cabinet decisions media briefing, Dr. Jayatissa described the statement as an extremely serious matter and said it could not be dismissed as a casual comment.

The Minister noted that the current Inspector General of Police is actively leading operations against organized crime, underworld networks, drug trafficking, illicit financial activities and other criminal enterprises, resulting in a significant number of arrests and remand orders.

Dr. Jayatissa said that in such a context, a statement made by the General Secretary of a political party and a former Member of Parliament suggesting that the country's top police officer could be killed in public raises serious concerns and warrants a thorough investigation.

He further stated that Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala had already indicated that an inquiry would be conducted into the matter, stressing that the statement appeared to have been made deliberately during a formal media briefing rather than being an off-the-cuff remark.

According to the Minister, law enforcement authorities must examine not only the statement itself but also the circumstances and implications surrounding it.

Meanwhile, the Colombo Central Crimes Investigation Bureau has launched a special investigation into the matter.