Mahinda says only 102 Army Personnel assigned to him not 500

• Calls for more security in the aftermath of release of former hardcore LTTEers

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday claimed that only 102 Army personnel had been assigned to him and not 500. 

In a statement Rajapaksa also called for more security in the aftermath of the release of former hardcore LTTE cadres recently. 

Following is the full statement issued by Rohan Welivita, Media Secretary to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

It was widely reported in the media that 500 army personnel who had been assigned to the security contingent of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had been withdrawn. This report is not correct. At present only 102 Army personnel have been assigned to provide security to former President Rajapaksa. Of this number, 80 provide security while 22 are administrative personnel.  

The Government has started releasing dangerous LTTE suspects who had been held in detention under the PTA. The Rajapaksa Government rehabilitated and released over 11,000 LTTE cadres and only two to three hundred hardcore terrorists were kept in detention with a view to taking legal action against them. These are the terrorists who are now being released. It need not be stressed that this has placed the life of President Rajapaksa in danger. In these circumstances, it is the duty of the Government to strengthen the security arrangements for former President Rajapaksa by assigning more personnel for his security.

With the release of the most dangerous LTTE terrorists held in detention, the Government is duty bound to take suitable steps not only to protect former President Rajapaksa but also the other armed forces and civil officers who provided leadership to the war. We wish to draw the urgent attention of the Government to this matter.