SL battles rising crime rate as killings continue

By CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA

22 June 2023 12:49 pm - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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- 23 deaths in 37 shooting incidents so far in 2023

- Shootings claim three lives within past 24 hours

- Gang rivalry and personal revenge soar

- Secret police operations underway

With a dramatic surge in shooting and criminal incidents in recent months, the Police have increased secret operations to thwart criminal activities triggered by rivalries among underworld gangs.

During the last 24 hours, three individuals were killed in three separate shooting incidents in Homagama, Kosgama and Kottawa.

Of the incidents, two had happened in the Nugegoda Police Division where two persons aged 30 and 46 were shot dead in Kottawa and Homagama while another shooting incident occured in Kosgoda where a 42-year-old person was killed by two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle.

The victim of the Kosgoda shooting has been identified as Vijith alias “Ran Mahaththaya” while a 30-year-old person was shot dead at a medical centre located in Kottawa.

The reasons for the recent shooting incidents are yet to be ascertained.

Commenting on the string of shootings, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa told Daily Mirror that almost all the incidents are linked to underworld and illegal drug trade.

“Some incidents are orchestrated by drug lords residing overseas against their rivals,” he said.

“The operations are underway to apprehend the culprits of the recent shooting incidents and to bring them to book,” he added.

Meanwhile, SSP Thalduwa said 23 individuals had died in 37 shooting incidents since January, 2023.

Commenting on the current spree of shootings, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said he would take steps to increase police operations to contain the wave.

The Minister told Daily Mirror that police operations are already in progress, but they have to be increased to arrest the trend. He also said the killing spree had been triggered by rivalry among criminal gangs.

“This is not where ordinary people are getting killed. It is criminals taking on other criminals,” the Minister said.

Earlier, Minister Alles had said that firearms used during the war had reached the criminal hands and are in circulation

During the past three years, the STF alone had recovered more than 1000 illegal weapons.

Meanwhile, responding to questions about the rising crime rate in Sri Lanka, former Army Commander and MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka denied claims that weapons used during the war have surfaced from various parts of society. "There is nothing to surface, as they were all seized and destroyed. Nothing was left for anyone to get their hands on," he said.

“The country appears to have descended to chaos under a government which has failed to maintain law and order. There has only been talk and no action. The underworld is carrying out shootings while the drug menace has only gotten worse," he said.

"However, it's not that difficult to find weapons in this country. There was a report in today's newspaper that a senior Police officer was caught with a drug peddling woman. Some of these things happen with their involvement as well. It only goes to show the government's inability to maintain law and order," Fonseka said. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

Comments - 13

Ama Thursday, 22 June 2023 01:04 PM

How many DEFENCE PERSONNEL AND HIGH RANKING DEFENCE OFFICIALS are in SRI LANKA? Cannot they look into this ever increasing crime?

RW Thursday, 22 June 2023 02:05 PM

We are gradually becoming a lawless country . More and more people will take the law into their hands because they can not expect justice from the authorities . Government has to take immediate action.

Hadam Thursday, 22 June 2023 04:55 PM

Have not following the news..? Our prisons are over fowing and there is no money to build new prisons. Government must look in to the core of the problem that why people are resort to violence and crime.

anura hettiarachchi Thursday, 22 June 2023 02:09 PM

Your owner is close relative of the H.E, whose gov. claims to be the guardians of national Security in all its aspects. No food, no money, no jobs, no medicines and no.. no... no... . On top people are maintaining a set of idiots as President, PM, defence Minister, Deputy and state 3 commanders of secuity services. Please send these news to them and not the public.

Volker Metzger Thursday, 22 June 2023 02:41 PM

This article on the rising crime rate in Sri Lanka also underlines the relevance of a strong president and a well-functioning government apparatus that keeps an eye on the internal security situation, including the targeted fight against corruption, as well as the overall economic and political situation and is realistic able to estimate !!! There is no doubt that Fonseka is also a man who can be trusted to act consistently and uncompromisingly in the interest of all, as well as long-term strategic thinking to eliminate the severe damage, emergencies and political ills caused by the previous governments !!!

Love LK Thursday, 22 June 2023 03:07 PM

one of the most beautiful islands in Asia is descending day by day into a killing field and yet, no one is bothering about it. Why is it? There is no secondary school without some drug-related issues. There is no college in Sri Lanka without a drug addict. There is no university in Sri Lanka without a drug-related issue. most of these killings are related to drug addiction. I think that bad politics has taken this country to this level of moral decay. I feel sorry for all parents with young children. There is not what is expected from our politicians. now drug dealers are ruling this island not politicians and the police can not do anything about it.

Crafty Politician Thursday, 22 June 2023 08:40 PM

We don't know whether the Government likes what is happening in SL as the Government can say the new draconian laws that are being introduced are necessary to counter the rising crime !

Shantha Friday, 23 June 2023 02:42 AM

Are we on the path to becoming a mini America? If the government does not clamp down on gun violence, it sure will become an Asian killing field.

Observationist Friday, 23 June 2023 04:09 AM

Under lying issue is 'Kuddu' and other narcotics. SL has become a great hub for not only oversea transhipment BUT also a local distribution factory. How many politicians and, law enforcing officers are behind this multimillion $ human destruction economy is anyones guess.

dara Friday, 23 June 2023 06:58 AM

Defense secretary is a toothless political appointee,nothing is under his control, several years after he resuming his political appointment people getting murdered all over the country

Rod Friday, 23 June 2023 09:55 AM

Prisons are packed with various types of crimes the country have to deal with massive crime criminals etc.our judicial system need to chane and have tough law

Kappan Friday, 23 June 2023 11:55 AM

Keep on giving promotions to all Personnel in the Police and Armed Forces umpteen times a year to safeguard the President and Politicians. This way the people will be secure and crime rate will be vastly reduced ?

Fastforward Friday, 23 June 2023 06:27 PM

Why on earth this problem cannot be solved ,that is utter BS. Just like AKD mentioned many times either by sea OR via airport.

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SL battles rising crime rate as killings continue

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