DARSHANA SANJEEWA BALASURIYA 
Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Government faces mounting pressure over public security lapses
*BASL calls for swift justice and enhanced protection for legal professionals
*Police say investigations into the shooting are led by 12 special police teams
By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya
Colombo, Feb 17 (Daily Mirror) - The recent cold-blooded murder of Attorney-at-Law Buddhika Mallawaarachchi and his wife in Akuregoda, Thalangama, has sparked widespread outrage and pushed public security to the centre of political debate once again.
Following the senseless daytime shooting, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) staged a protest march and launched an island-wide boycott of court proceedings on Monday, calling for swift justice and enhanced protection for legal professionals.
Yesterday’s island-wide court boycott marks the strongest collective protest and withdrawal from professional duties by the BASL since its historic 2013 strike. That earlier action was held in protest against the controversial impeachment and removal of former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.
Meanwhile, the police said that investigations into the February 13, 2026, Akuregoda shooting, which claimed the lives of Attorney-at-Law Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his wife Nisansala, are being led by 12 special police teams.
Four suspects have been arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting the shooters by providing accommodation, transporting firearms, and supplying narcotics.
Amid growing public concern over rising underworld violence, former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka said that one or two isolated shooting incidents do not necessarily constitute a threat to national security.
However, the incident has intensified political tensions, with representatives from various parties clashing over the government’s handling of the crisis.
SLPP Spokesman Sanjeeva Edirimanna strongly criticised the government’s approach to national security, pointing to a recent shooting that occurred in close proximity to the Armed Forces Headquarters and the State Ministry of Defence. He highlighted what he described as a contradiction in the government’s earlier claims that sporadic shootings are unrelated to national security, arguing that such dismissive remarks reveal a “primitive” understanding of the issue.
Responding to mounting concerns, NPP MP Chandana Sooriyaarachchi said the government is implementing a comprehensive programme to eliminate crime, organised criminal networks, and drug trafficking. He noted that while these initiatives are progressing, sudden incidents such as the recent shootings create additional challenges and increase pressure on law enforcement authorities.
Former Minister Mahinda Amaraweera also condemned the deteriorating security situation, recalling past remarks by the current Deputy Minister of Defence, who had mockingly suggested that people “bring benches to take lessons on national security.” Amaraweera questioned the Deputy Minister’s current stance, stating that daily killings on the streets demonstrate the government’s failure to maintain control.
Minister Samantha Vidyarathna dismissed the criticism, stating that merely raising complaints will not solve the problem, as elements of old, corrupt systems still exist within the country and need to be systematically removed. He said the government has already begun a comprehensive effort to eliminate the underworld, adding that organised crime, financial fraud, corruption, and drug trafficking were historically fostered within corrupt political systems.
MP Namal Rajapaksa said that blaming previous governments is no longer a valid excuse, pointing out that the current administration and the President have been in power for over a year and a half. With the Police and the Justice Ministry under their direct control, he called on the government to stop “joking” and using history to cover up its present failures.
He challenged the Minister of Public Security to take responsibility and perform his duties effectively, or resign if he is incapable of properly managing the country’s security.
Several attempts by the Daily Mirror to contact Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala were unsuccessful.
Comments - 18
Recommended
You May Also Like
Trending
