No written request from Gotabaya: Defence Secretary

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has so far made no formal request in writing with regard to the removal of army personnel assigned to his security, Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi said. 

He stated that although Mr Rajapaksa has made a request regarding his security through the media, the latter has not made a written request to him as the Defence Secretary.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, the former Defence Secretary stated that the government has decided to remove the army personnel assigned to his security detail and requested his successor not to do so. 

Hettiarachchi stated that a decision has already made to remove the army personnel assigned to Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s security and that they will be replaced by police officers.