Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala, delivering a special statement in Parliament today (May 9), revealed that 79 shooting incidents have been reported over the past seven months.
According to the Minister, 52 individuals have lost their lives in these shootings, which occurred between September 21 of last year and May 8.
Of the total incidents, 62 have been attributed to organized criminal gangs, while the remaining 17 were carried out by other individuals.
Minister Wijepala further noted that 260 individuals have been arrested in connection with these cases. Out of these, 229 arrests are linked specifically to organized crime.
He emphasized that the government has implemented necessary measures to crack down on underworld activities. Reviewing crime trends over the years 2022, 2023, and 2024, he stated that there has been no significant increase in overall crime rates. However, he acknowledged the tragic loss of human lives in all situations.
Highlighting the government’s commitment, the Minister added that high-level decisions have already been taken to address the situation. He also remarked that the sharp increase in shootings following the change in government is deeply concerning and unacceptable.
