The Colombo Central Crimes Investigation Bureau has opened a formal inquiry into statements made by SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam about Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya, prompting sharp political disagreement over whether the comments constitute threats.

The Central Crimes Investigation Bureau has begun investigating remarks made by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary Attorney-at-Law Sagara Kariyawasam concerning Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya. According to police sources, the investigation was initiated following directions from the IGP himself. Kariyawasam is expected to be summoned to provide a statement in the coming days.

The controversy arose from a media briefing held at SLPP headquarters on August 3, during which Kariyawasam referenced the fates of former Inspectors General of Police and urged the current Police Chief to "serve the people and the state rather than the government." He specifically stated: "We do not want him to go down in history as the 37th Inspector General of Police who died after being beaten on the roadside by members of the public." Kariyawasam also alleged that three former IGPs had faced adverse circumstances under the present administration.

Government officials interpreted the statement as deeply problematic. Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa described it as extremely serious and not dismissible as casual political commentary, arguing it implied potential harm to the Police Chief. He suggested the remarks amounted to hinting at the possibility of the IGP's assassination and noted that scrutiny was warranted given ongoing major law enforcement operations against organized crime and drug trafficking.

The matter escalated in Parliament, where opinions sharply diverged. SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa defended Kariyawasam's comments, contending that previous IGPs who aligned with political interests had faced difficult consequences and warning the government against politicizing the police force. In contrast, National People's Power MP Susantha Dodawatta condemned the statement as a death threat, distinguishing the current IGP's lawful conduct from actions of predecessors who operated under political direction.