SLPP Rejects IGP Threat Claims, Maintains Remarks Were About Fair Policing

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has rejected allegations that comments made by its General Secretary, Attorney-at-Law Sagara Kariyawasam, regarding Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya amounted to a death threat, insisting that the remarks have been misinterpreted.

Speaking on behalf of the party, SLPP spokesman Sanjeewa Edirimanne stated that Kariyawasam's comments should be considered in their entirety and viewed in the context of concerns relating to transparency, impartiality and fairness within the Police Department and its investigative processes.

Edirimanne argued that it was unreasonable to suggest that Kariyawasam, a senior Attorney-at-Law with decades of legal experience, would publicly issue a death threat against the country's top police officer at a media briefing attended by national media organizations.

He further contended that critics were isolating a single section of the statement while ignoring its broader context and intent. According to Edirimanne, the remarks were focused solely on the importance of maintaining public confidence in the independence and impartiality of police investigations.

However, during a media briefing at the SLPP headquarters on August 3, General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam made comments that subsequently triggered widespread controversy.

Kariyawasam stated that three former Inspectors General of Police had faced unfortunate outcomes under the current administration and urged IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya to serve the State and the people rather than the government.

He further said that the party did not wish to see the current Police Chief become known in history as a future Inspector General who was "beaten to death by people on the streets", a remark that has since sparked intense political debate and prompted calls for investigation.

Meanwhile, SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa also expressed support for Kariyawasam's position while speaking in Parliament on August 4.

Rajapaksa argued that previous Inspectors General of Police who acted in the interests of political parties had faced serious consequences and cautioned against allowing a similar situation to arise for the current Police Chief.

He maintained that his remarks were intended as a warning against political interference in policing and accused government MPs of misrepresenting the SLPP's position.