Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Jagath Vithana has vehemently accused Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya of making “completely malicious and politically motivated” statements by linking him to organized crime gangs.
Vithana’s comments were a direct rebuttal to the IGP’s assertion on Sunday (26th) that recent threats against the MP’s life were not a result of his public political activities, but rather stemmed from his alleged “connections with organized crime gangs and various traffickers.”
The parliamentarian challenged the IGP’s claims, posing a critical question: If such allegations were true, why were they entirely absent from the official police correspondence regarding the death threats?
“If these charges against me exist, why did the official letter—signed by the IGP himself and directed to senior police officers about the death threats I face—not contain a single word about it?” Vithana questioned, adding that this omission casts serious doubt on the veracity of the IGP’s new statement.
The MP also decried the nature of his security detail. Responding to the IGP’s statement that he was only granted “temporary protection,” Vithana said this was tantamount to “giving me a temporary reprieve, allowing me to be shot and killed, after which an inquest will be held.”
During his statement, Vithana publicly identified the individual he believes is threatening his life: Shan Arosh Jayasinghe, a resident of Mathugama who is allegedly orchestrating criminal operations in Sri Lanka from Dubai.
The MP alleged the motive for the assassination plot is malice, claiming it stems from his opposition to Jayasinghe receiving a nomination in the last election. Vithana clarified, however, that he is “not powerful enough to make such decisions,” stating that nominations are handled by the party leadership, including the General Secretary.
The MP stated that he has “overcome many hurdles and conquered life” and no longer has a “strong need to live further,” asserting that he is now simply “fulfilling a social duty.” He stressed that while he possesses the ability to rally the public against this injustice, he will not resort to such measures.
