Sri Lankan Police Face Growing Challenges, Call for Tougher Laws

Sri Lanka's police force is facing mounting challenges in tackling rising crime, as concerns grow over the influence of organized gangs and even corruption within law enforcement. Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya recently revealed that 58 organized crime gangs and around 1,400 individuals linked to them have been identified across the country. Despite this intelligence, police efforts to control crime appear to be struggling.

Rising Crime and Police Struggles

This year alone, Sri Lanka has witnessed 17 shootings and five brutal murders involving dismemberment. While investigations into the shootings have concluded, public confidence in the police remains low due to accusations of mishandling suspects and alleged involvement of officers in criminal activities. Recently, 11 officers were arrested for suspected links to crimes, further damaging the reputation of law enforcement.

Concerns Over Suspect Killings

One major issue is the growing number of suspects being shot dead while in police custody. In a recent case in Kotahena, a suspect named Perera was arrested for alleged murder but was later killed by the police. Officers claimed he was shot while trying to brandish a weapon, but his brother has challenged this narrative, demanding a full investigation. Journalists have questioned why suspects frequently die when taken to locate hidden weapons, highlighting concerns about potential extrajudicial killings.

A Call for Tougher Laws

In response to rising crime, the police are calling for stricter laws to tackle organized gangs. They argue that existing legal frameworks make it difficult to bring criminals to justice and prevent repeat offenders from re-entering society. A new hotline, 1997, has been introduced for citizens to report crimes, but there are doubts about its credibility given reports of police corruption.

The Need for Reform

The situation has sparked debate on whether the police need stronger powers or whether reforms should focus on accountability and transparency. While authorities emphasize the need for tougher laws to control crime, human rights groups argue that strengthening oversight of the police is equally important.

As Sri Lanka struggles with a rising crime wave, the challenge remains: how to empower law enforcement without compromising justice and human rights?