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MR has only 102 military personnel for his security

6 December 2015 11:47 am - 27     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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While claiming that 500 soldiers had not been assigned to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa at all as reported, his spokesman said that Mr. Rajapaksa was in need for  500 more military personnel for his security as his life was in danger, instead of current strength of 102.

Spokesman Rohan Weliwita said Rajapaksa only had 102 military personnel for his private security at the moment, a number that needed to be increased to 500 with the release of LTTE detainees, who have not been rehabilitated, last month by the government.

Of the 102 soldiers, 80 were engaged in field duties while the remaining 22 were assigned to administrative duties.

When asked if President Maithripala Sirisena had ordered the immediate withdrawal of 500 personnel from the former President’s security team, Weliwita said 500 soldiers had not been assigned to Rajapaksa at all.

“These are false rumours spread by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake. Mr. Rajapaksa was not assigned such a team to begin with,” he said.

Thirty one ex-LTTE detainees were released by Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya last month on strict bail conditions following the approval of the Attorney General’s Department.

“At present there are two former presidents in the country. One of is Mr. Rajapaksa, who defeated the LTTE and other is former president Chandrika Kumaratunga. There is no threat on her as she did not defeat the LTTE,” Weliwita said.

A request to assign more soldiers for the Former President’s security team had already been made to the government, the Spokesman said. (Darshana Sanjeewa)


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  Comments - 27

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  • Perumal Monday, 07 December 2015 10:59 AM

    He needs more security to protect him from his voters.

    Rohan Monday, 07 December 2015 05:45 PM

    Complete and utter waste of my money and yours. I do not want any of the current prices or tax to go up due to these expenses.

    onlooker Monday, 07 December 2015 03:52 PM

    It is useless talking to people who lives in a fools paradise. Leaders do not engage themselves in the war front.

    onlooker Monday, 07 December 2015 03:48 PM

    The present president has no threat at all from the LTTE my dear .

    Bavani Vishvanathan Monday, 07 December 2015 03:02 PM

    pathetic to see your comment. we People take a peaceful breath because of him. I am sure you must have been earning from the war... that is why you say that.

    MRGD-PALM SPRINGS Monday, 07 December 2015 02:52 PM

    DAMN FACTWELIVITA TAKE NOTE.

    sampath Monday, 07 December 2015 01:57 PM

    Who is paying for all these security personnel? Tax payers?

    Bala Monday, 07 December 2015 01:33 PM

    So says MR and the famous 3 - WW UG and VN.

    Zscore Monday, 07 December 2015 01:31 PM

    Life is in danger? Then seek asylum...

    Packeer Monday, 07 December 2015 01:20 PM

    Well said

    Sapu Monday, 07 December 2015 01:07 PM

    After he is given 500 he will ask for an entire Regiment

    Upul Monday, 07 December 2015 12:21 PM

    Please stop wasting state resources at least now. 102 soldiers are too much.

    zombi Monday, 07 December 2015 11:49 AM

    does MR live in Wellawate?

    OMG Monday, 07 December 2015 11:42 AM

    Well said, it is correct indeed

    Labby Sunday, 06 December 2015 05:49 PM

    When he was president all our lives were in danger.

    Man Monday, 07 December 2015 08:35 AM

    Was he really in the war front, to be frightened so ?

    onlooker Monday, 07 December 2015 08:15 AM

    Ravi Karunanayake has proved by his budget that he is a diabolical liar .This is his latest episode .

    Premalal Monday, 07 December 2015 07:48 AM

    But sir, if you think that your life is in such danger why did you enter the parliamentary elections and take all risk to travel openly? You should also resign from your parliamentary seat at retire for your own security now that there are 200 more people gunning for you..

    IVJ Monday, 07 December 2015 06:46 AM

    Have a look at the Wikipedia for the benefits of former US presidents. The cost of maintaining them is far less than maintaining our ones in SL. These people come to power promising heaven and earth and once they come to power, they are untouchables. Worse of all, once they retire, they become such a huge liability.

    Rara Avis Monday, 07 December 2015 05:21 AM

    The size of the security team appears to be the vestiges of power given to defeated former Presidents. 102 security personnel is still an obscenely large amount!

    Janak Monday, 07 December 2015 04:19 AM

    Apparently those released Ex-LTTEers are walking the streets of Wellawatte like zombies waiting for the first chance to go and kill MR!!!!

    CitizenPerera Monday, 07 December 2015 03:54 AM

    How many does he need to create a military coup and to overthrow MY3?

    siva Monday, 07 December 2015 03:34 AM

    I think 10 security personal is enough for Rajapakse

    Roshan Monday, 07 December 2015 01:39 AM

    He has more security than the current president. Reduce to ten I say.

    Nuke Sunday, 06 December 2015 08:13 PM

    Hehe, what goes around comes around.

    Mohammed Sunday, 06 December 2015 06:09 PM

    Why should the Ex-President be fearful of the LTTE if he is the HERO who defeated them?

    isilva Sunday, 06 December 2015 06:08 PM

    What? 100! That is too much for an MP from Kurunayagala.


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