The President made these remarks in Parliament today (25) during the adjournment debate on combating narcotics and organized crime.
He emphasized that holding corrupt individuals and fraudsters accountable has long been a public expectation and said the current government is committed to fulfilling that demand. According to the President, the mandate received by the government is fundamentally about transforming Sri Lanka into a civilized and accountable state.
President Dissanayake noted that the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime requires addressing the wider networks that enable such activities, including corruption within state institutions, political patronage, and criminal elements operating within the system. He said the government has already taken strong measures to dismantle these networks and strengthen law enforcement efforts.
The President praised the work of investigative and anti-corruption authorities, including the police, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, and the Attorney General’s Department, while criticizing attempts to undermine officials involved in exposing wrongdoing.
He reiterated that investigations into high-profile crimes, including attacks on journalists and other unresolved incidents, would continue without interference. The government, he said, has no intention of engaging in political revenge but remains committed to ensuring justice through lawful procedures.
Addressing concerns over democracy and civil liberties, President Dissanayake said the government is dedicated to protecting fundamental rights while combating organized crime. He announced that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will be repealed within this year and replaced with legislation specifically targeting organized crime while safeguarding democratic freedoms and human rights.
The President also stated that the government does not intend to suppress media freedom, public protests, or democratic dissent, emphasizing that citizens must have the freedom to question those in power. He added that Sri Lanka has entered a period of long-term stability and that the government remains focused on building a transparent, democratic, and civilized society.
Concluding his address, President Dissanayake called for the support of all sectors of society in the effort to eradicate drug trafficking, curb organized crime, strengthen democratic institutions, and uphold the rule of law.
