Dissanayake vows continued crackdown on corruption and organised crime

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on Sunday, said the Government will continue pursuing corrupt politicians, organised criminals and drug traffickers, including suspects who have fled overseas.

Addressing National People’s Power rallies in Nochchiyagama and Kahatagasdigiliya, Dissanayake said investigations into corruption and crime would continue throughout the Government’s term and would not end with current cases.

He said some investigations depended on information from foreign countries, while suspects who had fled abroad would have to be brought back through diplomatic channels and international agreements.

Dissanayake said political authorities should allow law enforcement and investigative institutions to act independently and provide them with the protection needed to pursue cases.

He argued that politicians or their relatives should not receive special treatment and said the Government had empowered relevant institutions to take action without political interference.

The President also accused sections of the Opposition of rallying around politicians facing corruption allegations and criminal investigations.

Dissanayake said Sri Lanka had ended what he described as an old political culture in which corruption, patronage and the misuse of nationalism and religion were used to retain power.

He also highlighted several development projects in the North Central Province, including the proposed resumption of the Malwathu Oya reservoir project and other irrigation and water supply schemes.

According to the President, the Government plans to fund some of these projects from state revenue rather than through new borrowing.

He said the next three years would see increased development spending in rural areas, including housing, irrigation, water supply and measures to reduce human-elephant conflict.