Senior Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) politician and former parliamentarian Sagara Kariyawasam has made a bold claim regarding the state of organized crime during the previous government's tenure. According to Kariyawasam, the powerful underworld gangs that had long held a stranglehold over Sri Lanka were effectively driven out of the country during the period when his party was in power. The statement has sparked significant political debate across the island nation, reigniting discussions about crime, governance, and the true state of law and order in Sri Lanka.
Kariyawasam's Bold Claim on Crime and Governance
Sagara Kariyawasam, a prominent figure within the SLPP and a close associate of the Rajapaksa political circle, made the remarks in what appears to be a direct defense of his party's governance record. He stated unequivocally that the underworld gangs that once ruled Sri Lanka — criminal networks that had for years operated with near impunity — were forced to flee the country during their time in government. The claim is a significant one, as organized crime has historically been a deeply embedded issue in Sri Lankan society, with certain criminal figures allegedly enjoying political patronage across different administrations.
Kariyawasam's statement is widely seen as a political maneuver aimed at drawing a contrast between his party's administration and the current government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the National People's Power (NPP) coalition. By highlighting what he describes as a successful crackdown on organized crime, Kariyawasam appears to be positioning the SLPP as a party that was tough on criminal elements, even as critics continue to question the relationship between certain political figures and known underworld personalities during various administrations.
The History of Organized Crime in Sri Lanka
To understand the weight of Kariyawasam's claim, it is important to consider the broader context of organized crime in Sri Lanka. For decades, underworld gangs have been a persistent problem, with criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, extortion, contract killings, and illegal gambling. Some of these criminal organizations grew powerful enough to operate across borders, with known gang leaders maintaining international networks that extended into countries such as Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and several European nations.
The issue of political connections to the underworld has long been a sensitive and controversial topic in Sri Lanka. Successive governments have been accused, to varying degrees, of turning a blind eye to criminal activity or even actively protecting certain underworld figures in exchange for electoral muscle and financial support. This murky relationship between politics and crime has made it difficult for law enforcement agencies to effectively dismantle these networks over the years.
During the Rajapaksa-era governments, there were indeed high-profile operations targeting certain criminal figures, and several notorious gang leaders reportedly left Sri Lanka during that period. Whether this was the direct result of government policy or a strategic retreat by criminals who sensed increased pressure remains a matter of debate among law enforcement analysts and political observers.
Political Reactions and Opposition Response
Kariyawasam's remarks have not gone unchallenged. Critics and opposition politicians have been quick to point out that the relationship between the previous government and certain underworld figures was itself a subject of considerable controversy. Several reports and investigations over the years have alleged that some individuals with known criminal backgrounds enjoyed a degree of protection or proximity to power during the very period that Kariyawasam is now celebrating as a success story against organized crime.
Supporters of the current NPP government have argued that the previous administration's approach to crime was selective at best, targeting rival criminal networks while allegedly shielding those deemed politically useful. They contend that genuine reform of law enforcement and the justice system requires a more comprehensive and politically neutral approach — one that the current government claims to be pursuing.
What This Means for Sri Lanka's Political Landscape
The statement by Sagara Kariyawasam is reflective of a broader trend in Sri Lankan politics, where law and order has increasingly become a central campaign and governance issue. With the NPP government having come to power on a strong anti-corruption and good governance platform, opposition parties like the SLPP are eager to reclaim credibility on issues of security and crime control.
Kariyawasam's claim serves a dual purpose: it defends the legacy of the previous government while simultaneously casting doubt on the current administration's ability to manage the crime situation. Whether voters and the public at large accept this narrative will depend largely on the ground realities they experience in their daily lives.
As Sri Lanka continues its journey toward political and economic recovery, the question of organized crime and its links to political power remains one of the most pressing and unresolved challenges facing the nation. Statements like those made by Sagara Kariyawasam ensure that this conversation remains firmly in the public domain, regardless of which side of the political aisle one sits on.