Some opposition politicians linked to underworld gangs: Minister

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

Colombo, May 9 (Daily Mirror) - Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today that investigations have revealed links between several underworld gangs and opposition politicians.

According to Minister Wijepala, the investigations uncovered connections between underworld elements and multiple candidates who contested the recent local government elections. These include nine candidates from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), eight from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), four from the People’s Alliance, three from the United National Party (UNP), and one from the Sarwajana Balaya.

The minister made these remarks in response to a question raised by opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, who accused the government of failing to curb the recent surge in killings.

“Present NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake claimed that the government would confront underworld gangs, but that does not seem to be happening,” Jayasekara said.