Noting that law enforcement agencies must provide security to citizens facing threats, the main Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), stressed that it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that every citizen is safe regardless of their past.

SJB Parliamentarian S.M. Marikkar made this statement during a press briefing held yesterday (26), where he spoke about the threats received by former Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) Chairperson Lasantha Wickramasekara who was murdered last week. He urged the Government to conduct a thorough investigation into Wickramasekara’s death.

During the discussion, Marikkar expressed concerns about the deceased PS Chairperson not receiving Police security despite a request, emphasising that not providing safety is unacceptable. He questioned the Government’s ability to ensure public safety in a context where a public representative’s safety has been ignored. Referring to the deceased’s alleged links to criminals, he opined that the enforcement of the law should not be discriminatory.

Moreover, Marikkar criticised the Government’s statements that Wickramasekara was linked to organised crimes and died as a result of related clashes: “The Public Security Minister said that clashes occur between underworld groups. Without taking any action, the Government is watching the clashes between underworld groups. Those statements show that shooting and killing people is not an issue to the Government.”