“Are Criminal Gangs Being Sheltered Politically?” – Namal Rajapaksa

28-Oct-2025

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SLPP National Organizer and MP Namal Rajapaksa has questioned whether organized criminal groups are being given political shelter under government protection.

Speaking to the media after meeting with youth in Colombo, he said that the increasing number of shootings suggests involvement of individuals close to the government.

He added:

Today, even shootings are taking place inside courts and local council offices. The government must take full responsibility for this national security breakdown. Before an official report on a murder is released, a minister is already announcing its cause.

When Dan Priyasad was killed, the Minister of Public Security behaved similarly. Observing this pattern, it appears the government knows the true reasons behind these incidents.

This raises suspicion that certain criminal groups operating under political protection are being shielded by the government itself.

So far, out of about 100 recorded shootings, not one has been properly investigated. The shootings stopped only when it no longer suited the government’s interests. It is now evident that a group involved in organized crimes is enjoying political asylum under government patronage.

Those sitting in key government positions are the same individuals who ignored intelligence warnings about the Easter Sunday attacks, and later dismissed drug-related intelligence too. It seems they are behind these recent events as well. “The government cannot easily make me bow to pressure like others,” Namal Rajapaksa said.