Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya said that the proposal of the Members of Parliaments requesting security will be forwarded to the National Security Council for consideration.
The Acting IGP further stated that steps have been taken to provide the necessary security to the Members of Parliament who have received the final assessment reports regarding security.
The Acting IGP expressed these views during a discussion held at the Parliament premises on 23.05.2025 under the patronage of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne with the participation of the Acting IGP and the Director of the Ministerial Security Division and relevant officers. Several opposition party leaders had requested a discussion with the Speaker on 2025.05.20 regarding the security of the MPs to present their security concerns. Accordingly, this discussion was organized following a discussion held by the Speaker on the same day with the Hon. Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala.
Accordingly, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, asked the Acting IGP to inform him of the progress of the assessment reports regarding the security of MPs.
The Acting IGP also briefed the audience on the current security situation in the country and stressed that many of the recent killings were the result of clashes between criminal gangs and drug traffickers, and that local politicians have been identified as being involved in these crimes.
Here, the opposition party leaders presented the need for security for their party members. Accordingly, Member of Parliament (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna, suggested that if there were no facilities to provide them with the necessary security, they should be provided with firearms for their own protection.
Speaking at this, Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, said that in a country with high democratic characteristics, firearms should not be provided for security and that the relevant authorities should take steps to ensure the security of each individual. Also, MP Ravi Karunanayake expressed his views and said that it is appropriate to provide security to new MPs as their lives may be threatened due to their work against drug trafficking. Furthermore, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and MP Ravi Karunanayake expressed their views and requested that if there are politicians in their parties involved in crimes, submit their information. MP Gajendra Kumar Ponnambalam and MP Dilith Jayaweera expressed their views and said that it is appropriate to provide security to MPs who say that they need security without removing full security until the security assessment reports are received and that action can be taken according to its recommendations after receiving the assessment report.
The meeting was attended by the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilaka, as well as the party leaders representing the opposition, the Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, the Director of the Ministerial Security Division and a group of officers from the security forces.
