Police raise concerns on need for comprehensive approach to tackle underworld

The Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on National Security has touched upon multiple underlying issues including criminal networks and its subversive practices during a Parliamentary committee meeting on November 22, chaired by MP Sarath Weerasekera, the Parliament Communications Department said.

The committee members highlighted oppressive situations caused by private security guards, stating that police cannot legally intervene in a person's personal security.

The committee has decided to inform the Ministry of Defense to prepare criteria for regulating private security services, as their personnel use weapons.

The SOC discussed the rise of underworld activities, revealing an increase in crime among armed forces personnel, and the former Inspector General of Police C.D. Wickramaratne highlighting weaknesses in criminal identification.

The former IGP emphasizes the importance of competent OICs in identifying criminals in their areas to prevent crimes before they occur.

The committee discussed drug control, revealing that Police officials are collaborating with drug traffickers to instill drug addiction in school children through pill distribution.

The SOC also emphasized the importance of preventing drug imports and enforcing laws, including confiscating property of drug traffickers, as the first step in drug control.

Moreover, the SOC Chief ordered the purchase of necessary equipment to identify drug-affected drivers and provide them to police stations, as road accidents have resulted in numerous deaths.

The Police emphasize the importance of people paying more attention to their properties, as an increase in robberies is largely due to negligence.

Attended the discussion were, Members of Parliament, involving Rauf Hakeem, Chandima Weerakkodi, Prof. Channa Jayasumana, Charles Nirmalanathan, Dr. Major Pradeep Undugoda, Major Sudarshan Denipitiya, and officials including the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and the former IGP.