President Anura Kumara Dissanayake revealed this week that he possesses credible information indicating that drug traffickers have financially supported several local government councillors elected in this month’s polls. He has called on law enforcement authorities to launch an immediate investigation into the infiltration of organised criminal networks into the political process.
Speaking at a high-level meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat—with the participation of senior officials from institutions including the Police Department and the Attorney General’s Department—President Dissanayake expressed serious concern over intelligence he claims to have received. According to the President, this intelligence suggests that prominent drug traffickers funded multiple candidates in the recent local council elections, a significant number of whom have now been elected.
Describing the development as indicative of a troubling future, President Dissanayake warned that, with criminal gangs having lost traditional political backing, they appear to be attempting to secure influence by helping to elect politicians who will act on their behalf.
The meeting was convened to address the challenges faced by the Police in conducting high-profile investigations and initiating legal proceedings in such cases. Among the participants were Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, senior officials of the Attorney General’s Department, and top-ranking police officers.
Immediate Action Ordered
The Sunday Times has learned that President Dissanayake has instructed Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala and Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne to take urgent measures to probe the alleged connections between criminal gangs and elected local politicians. He also called for expedited legal action against leading drug traffickers.
Proposal for Specialised Courts
During the meeting, Senior Additional Solicitor General Rohantha Abeysuriya proposed the establishment of specialised courts to handle organised crime cases. He emphasised the need for the Police to notify the Attorney General immediately upon receiving intelligence on serious organised criminal activity, so that investigations can commence promptly and evidence can be presented in court without delay.
Strained Institutional Relationships
Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris highlighted a breakdown in cooperation between the Police and the Attorney General’s Department. The meeting included extensive discussions on the causes of this rift and strategies to rebuild and strengthen the inter-institutional relationship.
Shortage of Skilled Officers
Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne further noted that a key reason behind investigative shortcomings was the recent transfer of over 400 experienced officers to various locations. He assured that corrective measures are now being implemented to address this issue.
International Investigations Hampered
Another critical issue raised during the meeting was the delay in prosecuting fraud cases with international dimensions—such as the high-profile MiG deal. Participants pointed out that inadequate cooperation from foreign states under Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) agreements has contributed to these delays.
Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara suggested that, following consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Justice Ministry could devise a mechanism to better utilise Sri Lanka’s diplomatic missions abroad to obtain MLA more effectively.
