Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala has accused the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) of an organised attempt to obstruct investigations into bribery, corruption and fraud, broadening the government’s case a day after a court authorised police to widen their inquiry into remarks about the Inspector General of Police.

Speaking in an interview with News 1st on Thursday night, Wijepala said remarks by SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam about IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya amounted to a threat against the rule of law itself, and that the government regarded the statement as deliberate rather than an offhand comment.

A pattern, the minister argues

Asked whether the statement was made casually, the minister said comparable remarks had previously been directed at senior officials running major investigations. He named Criminal Investigation Department Director Shani Abeysekara, Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne and Bribery Commission Director General Ranga Dissanayake.

He further alleged that some Opposition MPs had recently used parliamentary privilege to make remarks targeting the Chief Justice, and accused senior SLPP figures including Namal Rajapaksa of reinforcing Kariyawasam’s statement through comments made under privilege.

Taken together, Wijepala said, these amounted to a coordinated effort to weaken investigative institutions, and constituted a threat not only to the police chief but to law enforcement, the justice system and public order.

Complaint lodged by the IGP

The minister said the Inspector General had personally lodged a complaint with the Colombo Central Crimes Investigation Bureau, which began inquiries immediately and is currently recording statements.

He said there were concerns that supporters could be provoked into unlawful acts, describing the remarks as inappropriate for a senior representative of a recognised political party, and warned that action would be taken against anyone attempting to incite the public or obstruct state officers.

Wijepala also said many investigations in earlier years had been halted, delayed or abandoned, claiming politicians of the time had an interest in weakening investigative processes.

Background

Kariyawasam made the comments at a media briefing at SLPP headquarters on August 3, referring to the fate of former inspectors general. The government ordered an investigation on August 4, and Wijepala told Parliament on August 5 that the IGP would be given protection. On Thursday the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court cleared the CCIB to continue its inquiry and ordered broadcasters to hand over unedited footage, with a progress report due on September 24.

The SLPP has rejected the government’s characterisation of the remarks, saying they were taken out of context. Neither Kariyawasam nor Namal Rajapaksa had responded to the minister’s latest allegations at the time of publication.

Sources: NewsFirst.