The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has accused the government of deliberately undermining the country’s public administration and national security institutions by humiliating and imprisoning senior public officials. SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, made these remarks at a press briefing held today (11 June) at the party headquarters.

Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, Kariyawasam said:

“Three heads of key national security institutions have either been interdicted or remanded. The Inspector General of Police has been interdicted following a period of remand custody. The Commissioner General of Prisons has also been interdicted and remanded. Similarly, the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration is currently in remand. This is not a situation befitting any country. The government must take full responsibility for creating such a condition, which undermines investor confidence—both local and foreign—regarding the country’s security.”

Kariyawasam further charged that the government was attempting to break down the public service structure by humiliating and imprisoning senior officials:

“From the moment the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led government came to power, their MPs have repeatedly stated they won’t relinquish power. By crippling the national security system and paralysing the public service, they are trying to recreate a North Korea-style regime, governing through their loyal cadres. We have a legitimate suspicion that this is a calculated dismantling of the state.”

Referring to the release of 323 red-labelled containers at the Colombo Port without proper inspection, Kariyawasam accused the government of attempting to cover up the incident using senior Customs officials:

“We are now seeing desperate attempts by the government to cover up the release of 323 red-labelled containers, which bypassed all inspections. They are using senior public officials in this cover-up. This is a dangerous precedent. Even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when there was a shortage of Customs officers, not a single red-labelled container was released without inspection. But now, such serious lapses are being allowed. This is deeply damaging to the public service.”

Kariyawasam called on all public servants not to remain silent:

“We urge state employees—Customs, police, military—not to turn a blind eye. If any state official is unfairly targeted due to misdeeds of this JVP-led government, we as the SLPP are ready to launch a special initiative to stand in their defence.”