Politico-criminal nexus and the growth of lawlessness

In the period prior to the last presidential and general elections, lawlessness in the country had de-escalated from the point at its zenith during the regimes of presidents J.R. Jayawardene and Mahinda Rajapaksa.. 

In the run-up to the presidential and general election of 2024, present President Dissanayake pledged to bring to an end the rule of lawlessness of underworld figures. However, even after his election victory and the election of his National Peoples Power at the general election,  there was no noticeable drop in the crime rate. 

Making matters worse, in February of this year, we witnessed the stunning murder of an infamous drug lord –Ganemulla Sanjeewa- in the well of the Magistrate Court No. 5 at the Hulftrdorp complex. 

Since then,  hardly a day has gone by without news of gangland gun violence, which is widely reported widely in the media. 

Most reports highlight the increase in gun violence since January this year. The Police department itself admitted so on  July 14th this year. Police Spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) F.U. Wootler stated 68 instances of shooting had occurred between January first and  the thirteenth of July, 2025. Fifty of the incidents were linked to organised crime. Eighteen were a result of personal disputes.

According to the spokesperson, of the 68 shootings, 37 victims died.Thirty-four of the victims were identified as criminals belonging to organised criminal networks. A further 39 individuals were injured. Of this number, 30 were associated with underworld activities.The spectacular shooting and the inability of police to track down the accomplice who smuggled the gun into court are among the incidents which attracted countrywide attention.

Political parties in the Opposition have taken the government to task for its apparent inability to tackle crime. Our immediate past president  has  described the new president and his cabinet of ministers as ‘L board karayas’.

Just days ago, the newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) promised to crackdown on underworld gang leaders. He also identified a nexus between criminals and politicians, whom he identified as being a key factor that had facilitated the rise in the power of  underworld characters.

However, the nexus between criminals and lawmakers (including the highest in the land) is not a new phenomenon. One of the most blatant of these tie-ups between criminal gang leaders and top politicians began with the election of late president J.R. Jayawardene in 1977. Early in his tenure, the late President first released convicted rapist Gonawala Sunil. Sunil was also involved in the theft of petroleum from the corporation’s pipeline. No action was ever taken against him. 

Court documents reveal that this criminal enjoyed political patronage from a powerful minister of the then government. His importance to the then government, was his capacity to organise attacks and breakup opposition meetings and demonstrations.Documents also reveal the involvement of underworld characters closely linked to President Jayawardene’s Cabinet of ministers in the July 1983 pogrom against the Tamil people of our country.

Sadly even President Chandrika Bandaraniaka Kumaratunge who was elected with the biggest percentage of votes, had among her inner coterie a few members of the underworld. However it was during the presidency of Mahinda Rajapaksa that underworld characters reached the zenith of their power.

While it is true that lawlessness is prevalent today,  what many have tended to miss, is that the wheels of justice under this administration are grinding slowly but surely. 

Two ministers from President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s cabinet have been convicted of corruption and jailed. Two of his sons are under investigation for money laundering and other charges. Another minister, infamous for his links to drug traffickers and whose son is accused of purveying narcotics, was taken into remand custody. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) was removed from his post for corruption. 

The ‘Sunday Times’reported earlier this month the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) interdicted five judges, one of whom reportedly contested elections without   disclosing the fact before he was appointed. The JSC is also considering disciplinary action against 30 Magistrates and District Judges.

Crooked politicians are being brought to book as are their underworld compatriots. We Lankans will be hoping the president will be able to live up to words of making all citizens in this country equal in the eyes of the law.