Security personnel will not be used as domestic servants : Sajith

National Democratic Front (NDF) Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa said yesterday that he will not allow security personnel to be used by members of royal families as their domestic servants when he assumes office as president.

Instead, he said that he would assign the security forces to arrest those involved in drug-related offences, sexual abuse, child abuse and damage to the environment and bring them to book.

Speaking at the Kandy District "Ranaviru Samuluwa", Mr Premadasa said that he would appoint a presidential task force on issues pertaining to the welfare of the security forces which would take prompt action on those issues.

The meeting was presided over by retired Major General Nissanka Ranawana and was attended by retired personnel of the army, navy, air force and the civil defence force.

The UNP Deputy Leader further said that he would take all affairs of the security personnel under his purview and would depoliticise the armed forces after he takes the reins of the country after November 17. "I will create an environment where the security forces would act without unnecessary interference. Nobody would be allowed to use the armed forces personnel for their personal agendas".

Reminding the situation in the past he said that there was a time when security forces were used to carry sandbags for car racing by powerful people, remove garbage and clean drains. I will not allow such slavery under my rule.

Repeating one of the promises he has been giving these days on his election platforms, Mr Premadasa said that he would stop importing luxury vehicles worth billions of rupees and the duty-free vehicle permit system would be scrapped.

Minister Lakshman Kiriella also spoke at the event.  (J.A.L. Jayasinghe)