Rajapaksa And The Underworld: Indispensable Nexus Of Evil
There is no generally accepted definition of organized crime. The Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 of the United States fails to define organized crime – a number of attributes have been identified by law enforcement agencies and researchers as indicative of the phenomenon.
by Wimalanath WeeraratneCourtesy : The Sunday Leader, Colombo
( March 13, 2016, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Recently, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera who went to a great extent to safeguard the Rajapaksa dynasty during the previous regime and even after its great fall from glory; came out with two startling revelations in the light of Government announcing plans to curb underworld activities.
“Many leading underworld figures, who fled the country during my rule, have returned to the country at the behest of government politicians. Many have been brought back by ruling United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) politicians,” said the former President, who has had no connections with the underworld whatsoever.
“They were brought to engage in canvassing election work during the run-up to 2015 General Election. No one dared enter the country during my time, and we put a full stop to underworld activities,” retorted Rajapaksa.
Last year, the beleaguered Head of State said that those who were in custody and were granted bail didn’t even want to leave the prisons during his time, but had all the freedom to engage in election campaigning with UNP politicians. One might ask as to how Rajapaksa would know what organized gangsters feared and what they preferred!
Underworld is patriotic!
Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera’s revelation is even more startling.
“We know well about the dearly beloved (Pathalaye Pinvathun) members of the underworld. Although we do not associate with them, they truly love this country. Although they may engage in illegal activities and may even kill each other, they are a lot that loves this country. So if this government works against them, it will meet its end from no one else but the underworld itself,” Ven. Thera had the audacity to say.
