- National Security Concerns Addressed: The president refutes claims that national security is under severe threat, emphasizing that while underworld conflicts have caused fear, daily life remains largely unaffected.
- Economic Stability Achieved: Despite earlier predictions of an economic crisis, the government is submitting a positive review report to the IMF, indicating progress toward economic stability and resilience.
- Government Resilience: The president asserts that the current government cannot be overthrown by economic crises, internal political conflicts, or public protests, as none of these factors currently pose a significant threat.
- Historical Context of Government Collapse: The president highlights that past governments collapsed due to economic crises, internal conflicts, or public unrest, but the current administration is insulated from such vulnerabilities.
- Repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA): The government is committed to replacing the PTA with a new legal framework to address organized crime and extremism, fulfilling a long-standing public demand.
- Organized Crime and Political Protection: Organized crime syndicates have thrived under political protection, with some political leaders historically shielding criminal networks. The current government vows to dismantle these ties.
- Complicity of Law Enforcement: The president reveals instances of police officers and state-issued weapons being involved in criminal activities, highlighting the deep-rooted corruption within law enforcement and political networks.
- Shadow Criminal State: The country is described as having a “shadow criminal state” where an armed underworld operates alongside formal institutions like the police, military, and judiciary. The government aims to dismantle this parallel structure.
- Commitment to Eradicate Organized Crime: Unlike previous administrations that coexisted with organized crime, the current government is determined to eliminate criminal networks entirely, with no tolerance for protection or support of such groups.
- Downsizing Military Forces: The government is taking steps to reduce the size of the military, aligning it with the country’s current security needs and economic realities. This move is part of broader efforts to streamline public expenditure and improve efficiency.
These takeaways highlight the government’s focus on economic recovery, national security, the eradication of organized crime, and structural reforms, including downsizing the military to ensure fiscal responsibility.
Full Speech
I am very pleased to have the opportunity to present a few points during this debate regarding the expenditure headings of both the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Defence.
I observed that in recent parliamentary discussions, concerns were raised regarding a significant threat to national security and the widespread fear among the public. Some have raised questions regarding the government’s resignation and the transfer of responsibility to another party. If we look at how this issue was raised, it takes us back to the post-presidential election period when, after securing a victory in the presidential election, there was a project initiated by certain individuals claiming that it would not be possible to form a strong government following the presidential election. Despite the fact that these individuals claimed a strong government could be formed, I believe the Prime Minister’s position and ministerial portfolios were allocated at that time. However, although it was anticipated that the victory in the presidential election could be overturned, the National People’s Power secured an even more decisive victory in the subsequent general election.
By March, there were widespread speculations that the economy would face a severe crisis, potentially leading to a change in government. However, today, the government is submitting its third review report to the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), from which highly positive outcomes are expected. This demonstrates that the country’s economy is progressing towards a more stable and robust position.
There were concerns that opening vehicle imports would place significant pressure on the dollar, leading to an uncontrollable increase in its value. However, the value of the dollar has, in fact, been declining. If anyone believed that an economic crisis could be used to seize power, that prospect has now dissipated.
Historically, governments have collapsed due to economic crises, but this will not be the case now. Any hopes of toppling the government through an economic downturn are merely wishful thinking. Similarly, attempts to create internal conflicts within political parties to destabilize the government have occurred in the past, but this administration does not face any such internal opposition. Consequently, the government cannot be overthrown by internal crises either. Some anticipate that the government will fall due to severe threats to national security, but that, too, will not happen.
In the past, public protests have led to the removal of ruling parties. However, apart from media discussions and parliamentary debates, there is currently no indication that the public is rallying for change. Any attempts to overthrow the government through mass protests will be unsuccessful.
There are on-going efforts to create a perception that national security is under threat, that the public is in danger, and that the government is incapable of ensuring their safety, thereby justifying a change in leadership. However, no ordinary citizen has been affected by underworld conflicts. While these conflicts have generated some fear within society, daily life remains unaffected.
Two primary factors that have historically threatened national security are ethnic nationalism and extremism. Long-term conflicts, including the civil war and the Easter Sunday attacks, stemmed from these elements. We will not allow nationalism and extremism to take root in the country again.
Regarding the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), while we remain committed to its removal, there is a need for a legal framework to address organized crime and extremist tendencies. Without such measures, criminal gangs would continue to grow unchecked. Therefore, we are preparing a new legal framework to replace the PTA and have already appointed a committee to oversee this process. The realization of this long-standing public demand is being undertaken solely by this government.
Organized crime syndicates are not merely groups of criminals but have thrived under political protection. Certain political leaders have nurtured and safeguarded these gangs. Today, those who once shielded these criminals are shedding crocodile tears over their activities. The political authority behind these criminal networks allowed them to operate fearlessly, even compromising law enforcement institutions.
For example, among those arrested in connection with the murder in Weeraketiya involving two children, a police constable was identified. Similarly, two police officers were among those arrested for the shooting incident at the Colombo courts. In Mount Levinia, T-56 rifles were seized from the police and handed over to criminal syndicates. This highlights the complicity of certain police factions and political networks in fostering organized crime. Furthermore, state-issued weapons have found their way into the hands of underworld gangs. A former president’s child was reportedly provided with seven government-issued firearms. Our country has experienced administrations that lacked accountability in governance.
Consequently, the country has been transformed into a shadow criminal state. While we see a functioning police force, military, political authority and judiciary on the surface, beneath this structure exists an armed underworld with ties to law enforcement, security forces and legal professionals. This shadow state must be dismantled.
There are two approaches to dealing with this issue: either aligning with the criminal underworld or decisively eliminating it. Unlike previous administrations, which coexisted with organized crime, the NPP-led government is determined to eradicate it entirely. Therefore, I assure you that no one in this administration will provide protection, security, or support to any criminal organization or its members.