Security of MPs withdrawn

16 February 2010 01:33 pm - 70 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

By Gandhya Senanayaka and Kshanika Argent

The security provided to all Members of Parliament (MP) has been withdrawn with effect from today on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mahinda Balasuriya, Police spokesman S.P Preshantha Jayakody told Daily Mirror online.

He said the withdrawal follows the recent dissolution of Parliament after which all MPs become ordinary citizens. The police spokesman however added that the security for Ministers and Junior Ministers will remain. He also said that the security will be restored following the General elections in April to all those elected to Parliament.

Meanwhile General Secretary for the United National Party Tissa Attanayaka told Daily Mirror online that this was a move by the government to intimidate and disarm the opposition candidates running for the General Election and there were no previous precedents for this kind of security withdrawal for MPs.

He added that they hoped to file a Fundamental Rights petition in court as well as have discussions with the Election Commissioner regarding the security removal.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 70

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 06:24 PM

Good and provide 'security' to the general public

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 02:59 AM

Nothing is genuine about MR regime. This is to give more upper hand to Government MP's during the election time Because all are either minitesr or a Junior.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 02:05 AM

All Govt MP are either Ministers or Deputies, therefore they don't need to worry...Ha Ha

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 01:21 AM

It's only for the opposition.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 12:57 AM

TO WAHT EXTENT WILL THE IGP IF ANY OF THESE MPS GET ATTACKED.... WILL HE PAY PERSONALLY ????

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 12:55 AM

Pillayan and Karuna a heros, who killed SL police, army and buddhist priests...now all have got to gether to protect them...POOR WHO DIED

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 11:56 PM

Some of these ministers, themselves, are security threats to others !

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:27 PM

What is this? If 'no security' for opposition, then why do we need security for the government? They should all be treated equally. Is there any hidden agenda behind this, before the general election?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 06:27 PM

underworld thugs will gard all government politiciens.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 04:19 AM

Well the Government MPs have thugs their security. Opposition employ the same.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 05:44 PM

Get lost mann, you are a puppy to Mahinda.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 05:43 PM

IGP , better keep a tight security for yourself, after giving this order. Be vililent... tell your boss also to be vigillent.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 05:29 PM

Mahinda and IGP are fooling each other. But the consequences will be worst and they have to trace their addresses in the days to come.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 05:25 PM

Mahinda Rajapakshe is asking for trouble indeed.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 05:18 PM

well said maqs!!!!! superb

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 05:18 PM

Hay IGP - To improse this law, Mahinda made you the IGP. Are you a honest IGP or a Honest servant of Mahinda Rajapakshe.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 05:09 PM

Those who actually faught and defeated the LTTE too have no security under MR rule, Vithana.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 05:01 PM

Do you think IGP did this on his own free will...?

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 05:58 AM

Security of MP's only. Not minister's. Remember, majority of the ruling party side are ministers.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 11:08 AM

Now a days Only Public need the Security not the ministers os Mp's...............

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 11:00 AM

Damn good. The rule applies to MPS of all parties.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 10:31 AM

What about the speaker of the dissolved house, is he a minister or an opposition M.P.
I remember well he was elected from the main opposition party?

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 09:20 AM

How come then so many security personnel hanging around "panchaudaya" mansion yesterday?

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 08:48 AM

Now that Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena is no more a minister, has his security withdrawn?

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 08:02 AM

WHAT A JOKE HA HA YES WE ARE A BUNCH OF GOATS WE BELIVE ...

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 07:26 AM

Yes. good question by many other viewers.Gel Wimal more than ministers power.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 06:04 AM

Typical of this government's attitude towards the opposition. Obviously there are no MPs in the government side as almost all are ministers. MPs are only in the opposition: so without directly saying no more security for opposition MPs they are drawing a red herring as usual. Is "Gel Wimal" still getting security from the government ?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 04:51 PM

Why were they given security in the first place.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 05:30 AM

What a ridiculous rule this is. The IGP such a great man (sic !!!!)

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 05:12 AM

Good move.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 05:01 AM

Well done IGP, will you list a single MP of UPFA government where security has been withdrawn? This is simply to intimidate the opposition MPS.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 05:00 AM

With the dissolution of parliament, haven't the ministers and junior ministers also become ordinary citizens? Why then does the IGP provide them with security and only withdraw the opposition MP's security??

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 04:48 AM

The Government is under the impression that the masses are fools and that they could be taken a ride. Very soon the masses are going to turn round and make this Govt. a fool.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 04:47 AM

What a big joke

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 04:39 AM

safe to drive , less trafic

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 02:24 PM

no it doesnt SL contittuiont has nothingg called caretaker presidnet. he is full presdient untill EC signs final result.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 03:09 PM

Who's fooling whom?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 03:08 PM

The president will also reduce is bodyguards or he will have all of them now numbers to more than a 1000.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 02:51 PM

What about Karuna and Pillaiyan

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 02:50 PM

Not only the ministers, but the UPFA election offices also been guarded by this shameless Police 24 hours a day. One can see the Kotte office at Pagoda Road and the Galle office at Galle Road.
Also this move is to intimidate and frighten Wijedasa Rajapakse. who is appearing for SF.
Suba Anagathayak.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 02:42 PM

whole government will have the security as there are 116 ministers

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 02:27 PM

This is good news for all.These security contingent is a public nuisance to road users which only demonstrates the arrogance of the people in power.If we are at peace then this step is in the right direction.these armed units could be used for illegal activities of the underworld and might undermine the security of the nation.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 02:26 PM

Caretaker president?? Have you just woken up after 50 years or simply kidding? There is no provision in the 1978 constitution for a caretaker president mate. All the past presidential elections were held the same way. This is different to parliamentary elections, where since 1952, everytime a parliament is dissolved, a caretaker cabinet is appointed to run the country until the election is held. Incumbant president doesn't have to resign when an election is called, it is the case anywhere else in the world too, if you didn't know.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 02:24 PM

During Election season only Common People need security !

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 03:10 PM

Fantastic move IGP- we are in five star demo craazy

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 02:20 PM

Those who opposed for the last war against LTTE does not deserve the security at all.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 02:17 PM

if government is genuine, remove also the security of ministers.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 02:16 PM

so what about Basil Rajapakshe. I think Mr Balasuriya consideres Mr Basil as an ordinary citizen.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 02:06 PM

uNDERWORLD WILL ALWAYS PROTECT THEM.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 02:05 PM

It seems, Now days the courts are too busy handling the political cases than public cases. What a country we live in.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:59 PM

No MP should be given security protection othern than the ones who are at risk.If MP's do their sevice they wont have any threat but protection from the people who elect them and rest

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:54 PM

99% of Government MP's are ministers. so non of their security going to get widrwn.

only opposition going to Suffer. Good move IGP.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:53 PM

Didn't this rule apply to MR when he became a presidential candidate ? Where was the caretaker President ? Clearly double standards.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 03:49 PM

when the parliament is dissolved even the ministers become ordinary citizen... atleast save some money for the next two months buy reducing the ministriel security...

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 04:41 PM

Oh then those who killed the Maha Sanga, people at prayers in the mosques, and thousands of innocent civilians deserve security??? Good, good.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 04:39 PM

How about Sf guarding MR ?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 04:27 PM

What a joke! Better to say the security of opposition MPs, because all the Govt MPs are Ministers!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 04:26 PM

That is the cause of all the sufferings

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 04:19 PM

MIND GAME

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 04:14 PM

What does this mean? All govt. MP's are either Ministers or Junior Ministers. Hence security is withdrawn only from opposition side. Whom are trying to hoodwink and do they think people are fools.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 04:11 PM

Not partial but a lackey - like the new face of the EC.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 04:00 PM

Thanks God",Deshappramin" please take care for them.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:52 PM

Is this merely a statement or will it be put into practice ?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 03:39 PM

what a Joke!!! Government dose'nt have any MP's they all ministers and Junior ministers

it's just a carrot thoughts for people...:)

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 03:36 PM

You get all Ministers & Dep. Mninisters in the Govt. So this means that govt MPs have security but opposition MPs do not have security..
You can see this move by IPG. who is so partial.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 03:35 PM

Why security has been provided to Namal Raja. He is neither an ex-parliamentarian nor a minister.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 03:31 PM

This is the firststep of crushing the opposition.But Ex Government members are safeguarded as they are so called Ministers.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 03:22 PM

1000% agreed......

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 03:18 PM

Rule only apply for EX MP's??? what about Namal rajapakse who has 80 security guard before he become a MP???

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 03:12 PM

The law of our children's country is being ridiculed.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Security of MPs withdrawn

Comments - 70

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

New Visa procedure implemented

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

MIRROR CRICKET

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

Amir, Wasim return to Pakistan national team

TODAY'S HEADLINES

100 Police personnel trained to target criminals operating on motorbikes

Catholic Church receives full report

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali’s possession of Gota’s Range Rover

We are struggling with severe shortage of staff – Excise Chief

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Security raised for Champions League ties after threat

SLA target four events at Paris Olympic Games

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win