Sri Lanka, Feb. 20 -- Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala says that the shooting incident that took place inside the Hulftsdrop (Aluthkade) Courts Complex on Wednesday (19) was not any sort of threat to the national security, but instead is linked to longstanding conflicts between organized criminal gangs.

Responding to a request in parliament from Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to take stricter measures to ensure the safety of judges, journalists and civilians of the country citing yesterday's incident, the Public Security Minister stated: "These underworld conflicts have existed for a long time. Media houses have been torched under various governments, and journalists have been murdered on the streets."

"Not only that, but...