Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Sunil Watagala has reaffirmed the National People’s Party (NPP) Government’s commitment to ensuring the equal application of the law. Responding to allegations of preferential “VIP” treatment for certain prisoners in the past, the Deputy Minister said that the Government will not tolerate such practices going forward.
“As a Government, we do not care for anyone’s status when implementing the law,” Watagala said, adding that equality before the law is enshrined in Article 12 of the Constitution. “If the Constitution guarantees equality, it must be upheld in practice,” he said.
Highlighting a shift from practices of former Governments, Watagala said that the NPP Government has fostered a culture of fairness and impartiality. “This was not seen under former Governments, but we have now created a system where no one is favoured over another, ensuring that everyone is treated equally,” he added.
The Deputy Minister, however, also acknowledged resistance to these changes.
“When the law is enforced equally, some may feel unsettled because practices they were accustomed to are being challenged,” he said.
He said that the principle of equal application of the law extends beyond prisons and should permeate all sectors.
“This is our objective under the Clean Sri Lanka program.
We were given a mandate that called for the fair enforcement of the law, and we are committed to delivering on that promise,” Watagala added.
