Speaker to make statement on withdrawal of MR’s security

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday told Parliament that he would make a statement on the withdrawal of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security following discussions with President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Joint Opposition MP Dinesh Gunawardene, who raised the issue, stressed that removing Rajapaksa’s security was a dangerous move due to threats to his life.

“The former president has said there are threats to his life and therefore removing his security is a dangerous move. I have already had discussions on the matter with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister of Law and Order Sagala Ratnayake,” Gunawardene said.

Supporting the statement, MP Dallas Alahapperuma claimed that the former president faces more serious threats to his life than TNA MP M. A. Sumanthiran, whose security was beefed up after he received death threats.

Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake, also speaking against the sudden move, said making changes to the security of Parliamentarians was not a healthy trend.