Crime emergency in Sri Lanka as armed gangs and shootings reach ‘alarming levels’
The problem is most pronounced in the Western and Southern Provinces. At least 32 shooting incidents were reported in the first three months of the year, with at least 21 people killed and 14 wounded. In many cases, police action was hindered by political pressures that favour gang activities and their bosses’ impunity.
Colombo (AsiaNews) – Firearms and violent crimes are reaching alarming levels in Sri Lanka, especially in the Western and Southern Provinces; this is endangering public safety with more and more people and passers-by caught up in the violence.
Criminal gangs are behind this trend, according to police, who describe the situation as one of great emergency.
Police report 32 shooting incidents in the first three months of this year, with at least 21 people killed and 14 wounded.
Last week, two separate shootings took place in Pitigala, Elpitiya, and Ambalangoda, southern province.
Police found several T-56 assault rifles used by at least two people riding a motorcycle, but no connection has been established between the two incidents. Police have not confirmed if the shootings were carried out by the same group.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), organised gang activity is defined as a “continuing criminal enterprise that rationally works to profit from illicit activities that are often in great public demand.”
Crime groups make money with their criminal activity, prospering “through corruption of public officials and the use of intimidation, threats or force to protect its operations.”
The shooting in Pitigala left two dead and three wounded. The victims were identified as Sasith Madhushanka (32), from Karandeniya, and Kavishka Anjana (28), from Thalgaswewa.
According to eyewitnesses, the two attackers on a motorcycle approached a shop in Pitigala to kill the owner. As he tried to flee the attack, some passers-by were wounded. According to investigators, the gunman used the T-56 semi-automatic in burst mode.
Two people were killed and two more wounded in a shooting in Galagoda, Ambalangoda. The dead were identified as Udesh Maduranaga and Sithum Sanjana.
“Innocent bystanders were injured in these incidents and people in many parts of the country live in fear. Currently, criminal networks are a major issue in Sri Lanka, with the growth of organized crime following the economic recession and resultant inflation,” said former senior police superintendent Anil Samarasinghe speaking to AsiaNews.
“Criminal activity takes place daily,” he explained. “The majority of these networks are involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, smuggling, counterfeit notes, and are linked to motorbike gangs.”
“In certain instances, criminal gangs provide security and financial support to some politicians,” Anil added. “Thus, officials who fight against organised criminal gangs face various issues, including death threats. Some senior officers who investigated activities have left the country due to death threats.”
For lawyer Mayantha Tilakaratna, “most criminal gangs get organised to earn more money (easy cash). Organised crime is a continuing criminal network that operates to profit from illicit activities using force, threats, corruption, and malpractices of public officials and politicians. In most instances, the leaders of these gangs are released by the police due to political pressure as most of the criminals are linked to key politicians.”
UK-based criminologist Nandana Balasuriya notes that “according to the Organized Crime Index tool created by the ENACT (Enhancing Africa’s Response to Transnational Organised Crime), South Asian region ranked third among the five regions of Asia with a score of 5.31, whereas, Sri Lanka’s criminality score is 4.64 and [the country] is ranked sixth out of the eight countries in South Asia.”
The latest shootings are a serious threat to public safety, ordinary Sri Lankans, and Sri Lanka's own national security. In December last year, more than 2,000 suspects were arrested in a country-wide operation against organised crime, but most were released due to political influence and pressure.
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22/06/2023 20:10
30/06/2016 08:21
