Politicians nurture, protect underworld: Anura Kumara alleges

Colombo, July 14 (Daily Mirror)- Claiming that the underworld was nurtured, protected and supplied with arms by the politicians over the years, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today that if Sri Lanka is to be free of crimes and drugs, this situation must be changed and assured that a NPP government will create an environment for everyone to live peacefully without any fear.

Speaking at the NPP's Gampaha District youth convention, he said the underworld and licenced rowdies were reigning in the country now and said the country cannot move forward in this manner.

He said crimes and the killing spree cannot be stopped until all persons are considered equal before the law.

"The underworld was nurtured in the hands of politicians. Gonawala Sunil was given a presidential pardon by the then President J.R. Jayewardene and awarded with the honorary position of Justice of Peace. Soththi Upali was appointed to the UNP's Working Committee during the time of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa. Beddagane Sanjeewa was appointed the head of the security detail of former President Chandrika Kumaratunge. Mahinda Rajapaksa gave protection to Hambantota Wambotta. Julampitiye Amare was once seen giving protection to Namal Rajapaksa on stage. The underworld was nurtured in this manner," he said.

Dissanayake said a future NPP government will make the concept of all persons being equal before the law a reality and assured that an NPP government will create an environment for everyone to live peacefully without any fear.

He said a team of senior and prominent ex-CID officials were working with the NPP and that their knowledge and experience will be utilised to eradicate drugs and crimes.