The Police stated that the measures taken to suppress crimes such as murders and drug trafficking are being implemented continuously, but that certain crimes being led by individuals residing in foreign countries raises practical problems in terms of the implementation of the law.

With the country seeing a considerable increase in crimes including shootings linked to drug trafficking in the recent past, many parties have urged the Police and the other relevant agencies to curb such and enforce the law against the perpetrators. Against that backdrop, the Ministry of Public Security has stated that it would take all possible measures to suppress such crimes, and bring the perpetrators before the law.

Since several shootings were reported in the past few days, The Daily Morning queried the Police Media Spokesperson, the Senior Superintendent of Police and attorney Nihal Thalduwa regarding the matter, to which he said that all measures that had been taken to curb crimes would continue to be implemented. “The Police has taken several measures such as increasing patrols, and conducting raids and special operations. These measures will continue to be in place. The Police always works at its best to prevent crimes.”

However, noting that many crimes such as murders and drug trafficking are being led by individuals who are residing in foreign countries, he said that it causes certain practical problems in the implementation of the law. “For instance, most of the drug traffickers are based in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Only their associates are in Sri Lanka. Even then, the Police works to apprehend the suspects, but, they (Police) have to deal with certain practical issues in prosecuting the main culprits,” he explained.

According to reports, more than 30 people have been shot to death, while several other individuals had sustained injuries due to shootings in various parts of the country, particularly the Southern and Western Provinces, in recent times. In addition to shootings, hundreds of homicides have also been reported. Parliamentary Opposition groups have even issued an ultimatum to Public Security Minister Tiran Alles to take steps to curb crime and ensure the security of the people, and warned of a no-confidence motion against him if he fails to do so.