By The Pulseline News Desk
Sri Lanka Police are stepping up efforts to bring back 73 alleged underworld figures and drug traffickers hiding overseas, as the authorities intensify their crackdown on organised crime and narcotics.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya said investigations were also underway into nearly 100 other individuals believed to be connected to organised criminal and drug-trafficking networks.
Speaking to the media in Kandy recently, the IGP has said authorities had identified a substantial number of suspects operating from outside the country and were working with international partners to secure their return.
“We have around 73 more Red Notice suspects to bring back. We believe there are nearly another 100 individuals as well,” Weerasooriya has said.
International cooperation
The IGP has said Sri Lanka was receiving strong international cooperation in its efforts to dismantle organised criminal and narcotics networks.
According to Weerasooriya, foreign countries and diplomatic missions had positively recognised the transparency and progress of the operations being conducted by Sri Lankan authorities.
He has also rejected suggestions that Sri Lanka had come under external pressure to scale back the crackdown.
Instead, he has said, there had been no threats or pressure from abroad demanding that the operations be stopped, with authorities receiving requests to strengthen and expand the campaign against organised crime and drug trafficking.
Pressure on criminal networks
The IGP has claimed that the continuing operations had caused growing concern among people who had allegedly financed, invested in or otherwise supported criminal and drug-trafficking networks.
His remarks suggest that the police campaign is increasingly focusing beyond street-level suspects and alleged traffickers to individuals believed to provide financial or other forms of support to criminal organisations.
The effort to secure the return of suspects wanted under international Red Notices could become a key component of the crackdown, particularly as organised criminal networks increasingly operate across national borders.
IGP rejects political criticism
Weerasooriya has also responded to criticism directed at him by certain politicians, saying he was not intimidated and was prepared to face any challenge.
He has said he could travel anywhere in Sri Lanka without special security because he had not committed any social injustice or caused harm to society.
Turning the criticism back on politicians, the IGP has claimed that those who had misled the public and caused harm to society were now finding it difficult to face the people.
His comments come as the police continue to present the fight against organised crime and drug trafficking as a major national law-enforcement priority.
With 73 Red Notice suspects still being pursued overseas and investigations involving nearly 100 additional individuals, the next phase of the operation is likely to depend heavily on international cooperation and the ability of Sri Lankan authorities to trace, apprehend and bring suspects back to the country.
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