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🇸🇬 Singapore /Crime & Justice

Sri Lanka arrests Rajapaksa party chief over alleged death threat

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • Sri Lankan police arrested Sagara Kariyawasam, the General-Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP), on August 10 for allegedly threatening to kill the police chief.
  • Kariyawasam's arrest is the latest in a series of legal actions against associates and relatives of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, whose party is now in power.
  • The current government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, came to power in September 2024 with a mandate to combat bribery and corruption.

Colombo, Sri Lanka – Police arrested Sagara Kariyawasam, the General-Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP), on August 10. Officers stated Kariyawasam allegedly issued a death threat against the Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasooriya.

The arrest marks the latest legal action against figures associated with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Kariyawasam's detention follows a pattern of arrests targeting relatives and allies of the once-powerful Rajapaksa political dynasty. The SLPP is the party of the former president.

he could be killed if he continued to be partisan.

— Sagara KariyawasamKariyawasam's alleged statement at a press conference, as reported by police.

Kariyawasam reportedly made the alleged threat at a press conference last week. He warned Inspector General Weerasooriya that he could be killed if he continued to act in a partisan manner. A police official confirmed that Weerasooriya considers the statement a death threat. Kariyawasam was arrested after giving a statement and is being brought before a magistrate.

The leftist government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed power in September 2024. It campaigned on a promise to eradicate bribery and corruption. The former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, is also facing allegations of receiving kickbacks. His family members are entangled in charges of money laundering and theft of state funds.

The SLPP General-Secretary was arrested after recording a statement, and he is being taken before a magistrate.

— Police officialDescribing the immediate aftermath of Kariyawasam's arrest.
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Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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