Wimal claims Mahinda, Gota at risk

By Chamodi Gunawardana

National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader and United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) candidate Wimal Weerawansa yesterday stressed that the lives of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa were in danger.

Weerawansa was referring to an incident which occurred on Monday where four soldiers had been travelling in a white van with false number plates. 

“These four were in possession of a gun which was registered to Major General Prasanna de Silva. He has been working under the Defence Ministry’s secretary as an officer,” Weerawansa said.

He also alleged that the United National Party (UNP) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) wanted to reduce the security of the former President to leave him at risk. 

“There is a clear risk to former President Rajapaksa’s life. That is because the UNP and JVP want to reduce Rajapaksa’s security. If they want to reduce it, they should reduce the security provided to Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka too,” Weerawansa asserted. 

He added that UPFA party leaders would discuss this matter further and request the Elections Commissioner to strengthen Rajapaksa’s security.