Government Using IGP to Suppress Opposition — Samagi Jana Balawegaya

03-Nov-2025

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“The absence of an opposition endangers democracy,” said Ranjith Madduma Bandara, General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB). He accused the government of using the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to suppress the opposition and promote one-party rule, after transferring powers from the Independent Police Commission to the IGP.

He made this statement while questioning the IGP’s recent appearance before Parliament regarding MP security concerns.

For over three decades, MPs of all parties were provided security by police stations when visiting constituencies, he noted. However, opposition MPs are now being denied security, despite previous assassinations of politicians.

He referred to police reports confirming death threats against SJB MP Jagath Vidanage, and questioned on what basis MP protection had been withdrawn. The IGP reportedly claimed it was a political decision, which Madduma Bandara said was unconstitutional and undemocratic.

He warned that national security is deteriorating, drawing parallels to the violence of 1988–1989, and urged the government to ensure protection for all MPs, regardless of party. He added that village-level security committees have become politicized, and that stripping opposition MPs of security undermines democracy.