• Passport issuance office in Jaffna, local council offices to double no. of passports issued 

The Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Priyantha Weerasooriya pointed out that organised crime activities primarily revolve around the drug trade and that efforts are being made at a diplomatic level to identify and apprehend those directing these activities from overseas and to repatriate them.

He stated this while addressing the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs of the tenth Parliament, Chaired by subject Minister Ananda Wijepala on 22 February at the Parliament.

Meanwhile, Wijepala stated that all remaining passports scheduled for issuance will be issued within a month. He highlighted that a 24-hour passport issuance service has been initiated. He stated that a passport issuance office would be established in Jaffna following the procurement of the necessary printing equipment, and that the number of passports issued at local council offices would be doubled.

He stated that investigations into the threats faced by Parliamentarians were still ongoing, with the final reports being prepared. He further stated that upon receiving these assessment reports, necessary action would be taken to provide security to MPs, if required.

Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, who was present at the meeting, raised concerns about a potential reduction in Police officers' salaries under the proposed Budget. In response, Wijepala assured that despite certain projected reductions in the Budget, no officer’s salary would be decreased, and that instead, salary increments would be ensured.

The need for the proper regulation of projects funded by non-governmental organisations was also highlighted during the committee discussions.