• 183 murders, 948 robberies, 2,224 break-ins reported so far in 2022
• Most shootings related to illegal narcotics: Police Spokesperson
• Economic woes have direct impact on increasing crime: Nanayakkara
• Important to keep inflation rate at manageable levels: Fernando

By Skandha Gunasekara With close to 200 murders and 1,000 robberies in the first four months of 2022, experts have opined that crime rates will increase due to the economic crisis.  According to data from the Police Department, while there were 522 murders, 2,263 robberies and 6,813 house break-ins reported in 2021, there have been 183 murders, 948 robberies and 2,224 house break-ins in the first few months of 2022 alone.  There has also been an increase in the number of cases of plantation equipment theft of over Rs. 25,000 and cattle theft and property theft of over Rs. 25,000 during the first four months of 2022, compared to the corresponding period of 2021. Bloody weekend: Gang wars? No sooner June began, Sri Lanka saw a string of shootings occur.  On Friday, 3 June, two shooting-related deaths were reported, with a 42-year-old victim shot dead in Moragolla, Aluthgama, while a 31-year-old victim was killed in a shooting in Panadura. The next day, Saturday, 4 June, a 27-year-old man from Dickwella was shot dead in Ahangama. On the night of Sunday, 5 June, a 37-year-old man was shot dead in Tangalle. Last Monday night (6), a 25-year-old youth was gunned down in Mutwal, Colombo.  It is learnt that the 42-year-old deceased in the Aluthgama shooting was a State witness in a court case against a number of Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) officers who are on trial for links with drug traffickers.  Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that the shootings over the last weekend were connected to the illegal drug trade and that some may have even been orchestrated by drug lords residing overseas against their rivals.  “From what we have learnt, these shootings are related to the illegal narcotics trade between different gangs. Investigations are underway to arrest suspects in this regard, but we can’t really say that there has been an increase in the drug trade. It looks like some of these shootings may have been organised by those residing abroad and are personal disputes among persons involved in the trade.”  While acknowledging that the Moragolla, Aluthgama shooting death was of a State witness, the Police Spokesman noted that the deceased had not requested witness protection from the relevant authorities.  “The Moragolla incident involved a State witness and we are investigating to determine what happened. There are several other witnesses in that case. Witness protection is provided upon the request of the witness, but this witness had not made such a request,” SSP Thalduwa said.  He further noted that while an economic downturn would have a social impact, Sri Lanka’s crime rates had not increased when compared with 2021 and that the present incidents were not related to the economic crisis. “When there are economic constraints and a shortage of essential products, segments of society act out and crime can increase. However, the current situation in Sri Lanka doesn’t show that there is an increase in crime because of the economic crisis,” he stated.   Socioeconomic factors affecting crime However, Criminal Lawyer Harshana Nanayakkara asserted that one of the main reasons for a rise in crime rates was the direct impact of economic woes on the nation and its people, adding that the frequency of such incidents would only increase.  “The increase in crimes can be put into two broad categories. The first is socioeconomic, and these numbers will only increase. You cannot resolve this by putting people behind bars because there are 22 million people, and they need their socioeconomic situation uplifted. This will take time, but efforts must be made now. I heard the Police Spokesman saying that these are drug-related deaths which have also happened in the past, but I believe crimes have increased mainly due to the current economic issues in society. Because the cost of living is very high and frustration is increasing, in time to come you will see more crimes being reported. Of course we can’t generalise, but many will be poverty-related. I won’t be too surprised if the crimes we hear of hereafter are of incidents where people try to steal a bag of rice and then get shot by another.”  According to Nanayakkara, the second reason was the lack of law and order, mainly due to the interference by  interested parties of political and social elites.   “I believe criminality – apart from organised crime, unorganised crime, or opportunistic crimes, which constitute about 80% of crimes – will be on the increase. The general lawlessness and financial frustrations will contribute to this. In this country, law has been problematic. Rule of law must apply to everyone equally regardless of their caste, race, social status, or wealth, but to a large extent there is a disparity in the application of the law, and there is no equality. Impunity for those in power or for the wealthy is commonplace. Increasingly, over the last two years, the Government has lost control of the country in general. My personal opinion is that whenever a crime cannot be solved, there’s a 90% chance that someone in politics or the Government is involved.”  When asked whether the Police had the knowhow to handle such a situation, Nanayakkara affirmed that they were ‘trained and capable’. “The Police are trained and capable, so one should not underestimate our Police, although they may be corrupt and have their issues. From recent reports I have heard that even their petrol quota has been reduced, so I think we have to provide more resources to the Police.”  Nanayakkara urged the Police to conduct surveys via its research unit to ascertain crime patterns and be prepared for any possible escalations.  “Firstly, I know the Police have a research unit. This unit must conduct research into why some of these crimes are taking place. That is the criminological approach. Simply punishing and putting a person behind bars doesn’t stop criminality – people are not born criminals. People become criminals due to socioeconomic reasons – dropping out of school, lack of parental supervision, poverty; there are many social reasons why someone would turn to crime. So unless we address those issues, criminal activity will continue,” he opined.   Nanayakkara said that the next step would be to address socioeconomic factors to eliminate origins of crime as well as to ensure that the Police had the necessary resources.  “In the long run we have to look at school dropouts, poverty, and other social issues. In the short-term the rule of law must be applied strictly and culpable individuals must be arrested. Resources must also be made available to the Police – do they have the manpower and the material resources? This must also be looked at.”  Meanwhile, Economist and Advocata Institute Chief Operating Officer Dhananath Fernando also opined that social unrest was an outcome of negative economic and financial impacts.  “Due to tensions on the economic front, there will of course be a similar impact on the social front. This is generally normal. Mainly women and children will be affected on a personal level and at a household level. There is a high chance that when the economic pressures increase it will have a direct effect on society and its behaviour, because when prices of goods go up while income remains the same or even reduces due to unemployment, it makes day-to-day life much harder,” Fernando observed.   Noting that high inflation was the main factor in this, he stressed that keeping inflation at a ‘manageable level’ was essential. “That is why it is crucial that inflation levels are kept at a manageable level. It can also cause an increase in crimes such as robberies and thefts. An increase in these numbers is possible in a situation such as the economic crisis we are experiencing at present. The problem is that inflation cannot be reduced overnight, since it will take its own time. That is why you don’t let inflation increase to this level, because you can’t lower it swiftly,” Fernando concluded.  Increase in domestic violence The economic crisis has also seen an increase in domestic violence.  Women In Need (WIN) Executive Director Savithri Wijesekera said the number of women and children seeking shelter had increased.  “There has been an increase in domestic violence in recent months due to the economic crisis. At the moment, our Colombo shelter is filled with women and children who are victims of domestic violence. It has not been this full in the last three to four years.”  She said that the situation was the same outside Colombo as well, and that some victims took refuge for months.  “The situation is similar in other parts of the country as well. We have shelters in Colombo, Matara, Batticaloa, and Anuradhapura, all of which are gradually filling up. Some of these victims stay from between a few weeks up to three months at these shelters to escape the violence at home,” she shared.