Reduction of MR’s security not politically motivated: Sagala

The Government yesterday rejected allegations of political motives in reducing the number of security personnel provided to Former President and UPFA Joint Opposition MP Mahinda Rajapaksa from 229 to 187.

Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayake explaining the factors which led the Government to reduce the number said: “The decision was taken after assessing the possible threats as a part of an analysis the Inspector General of Police (IGP) conducts every six months. But he will continue to have the 26 Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel attached to his security detail. These are officers who have undergone VIP protection training.”

“The Former President can make a request if he wants additional security for special purposes. We can make arrangements to provide him additional security personnel from the Ministerial Security Division of the Police. There is no political motive behind reducing the security provided,” added Minister Ratnayaka who mentioned that Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumarathunga is given only given a security detail of 59.

According to Minister Ratnayaka, Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) Parliamentarian M. A. Sumanthiran and UNP MP Dr. Jayampathi Wickramarathna were provided additional security based on the threat assessments conducted.

Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera dismissing the alleged LTTE threats over the Former President’s life charged that the Joint Opposition was making the stage for separatists by disrupting the reconciliation process. “What is left of the Tamil extremist groups are protecting the Joint Opposition leaders with all their might, as of the information received. Tamil separatists who want to disrupt the reconciliation process want the JO to fulfill their goals. So, they protect the Joint Opposition,” he said. (AH)