Crush 'under world' and criminals - Sri Lanka Defence Secretary

21st July 2009

Law enforcement authorities seek the support of the public i to crush the activities of the underworld members and organized criminal gangs.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse has urged the public to provide any information they know about criminal gangs to the nearest criminal investigation unit of the police or directly to himself.

Security units have the capability to find out the sources of such information, defence sources claimed. Rajapaksa said a special programme was now in progress to eradicate activities of underworld and organized criminal gangs.

A special unit that comprises officers of police and special task force has already been established in this regard. The defence secretary has said cooperation of the military will also be obtained if required.

After the LTTE was defeated an upward trend in underworld members,activities and armed groups have been witnessed.

The government and defence authorities are determined to end the menace of criminalism and the under world activity.