Over 1,400 suspects on 42,248 criminals list arrested within 24 hours

• Tiran Alles vows to expose detractors on ‘Yukthiya’

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

A total of 1,468 individuals, among the 42,248 suspects  involved in crimes across the entire island, were arrested within the  last 24 hours ended yesterday, the Public Security Ministry said.   

Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon handed over a detailed  list of 42,248 suspects involved in crimes to the Officers-in-Charge of  Crimes at all police stations on Saturday. This list includes 35,505  individuals with open warrants, 4,258 wanted suspects identified through  fingerprints and 2,485 individuals wanted for crimes committed in the  country over the last two years.   

Right now, those people are sending us letters  threatening our lives. It is the people of this country who should give  proper answers. If this situation does not stop, we will take steps to  reveal the information with names in a few days

In response to the directive from the IGP, division  officers, district officers in charge, Headquarters Inspectors (HQIs),  and Crimes OICs of all police stations actively participated in the  ongoing ‘Yukthiya’ operation starting from Sunday (14).   

Accordingly, 1,468 suspects from the list were arrested.   

The Ministry said that among the arrested individuals,  1,198 were from the group of 35,505 with open warrants, 123 among the  4,258 wanted suspects identified through fingerprints and 149 suspects  wanted for crimes committed in the country over the last two years.   

We will not stop the operation we started. We will  continue continuously. Those who are against the operation are writing to international organizations

Meanwhile, in the wake of concerns and objections from the  various institutes and organizations against the Police launched  island-wide operation ‘Yukthiya’, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles  said that the operation will continue despite the concerns and opinions.    “We will not stop the operation we started. We will  continue continuously. Those who are against the operation are writing to international organizations. Recently, a top officials of the United  Nations Human Rights Organization have also issued a statement against  this. Various media are asking us about our opinion on this matter, and  no matter who expresses any opinion, we will not stop the operation we  have started,” the minister said.   

He said such obstructions are carried out by a handful of  lawyers who take money from non-governmental organizations and those who appear in drug cases.   

“Right now, those people are sending us letters  threatening our lives. It is the people of this country who should give  proper answers. If this situation does not stop, we will take steps to  reveal the information with names in a few days,” he said.