Police remain deployed at Mihintale temple despite military withdrawal

Colombo, Dec 10 (Daily Mirror) -Despite the military personnel being withdrawn from the historic Mihintale temple, the police personnel assigned to the site will continue their duties, refuting claims of their removal, police said.

Police said some reports claimed that according to the decision to remove the military officers who were deployed for various purposes at the Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara, the police officers who had been deployed there for a long time will also be withdrawn.

However, the Police announced that no action has been taken to withdraw the police personnel assigned to the Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara. 

Accordingly, they will continue duties at the historical place, police said.

Earlier, Military Spokesman Major General Ravi Herath said more than 200 military personnel deployed at the Mihintale temple for various purposes have been removed with effect from Sunday (10) considering their safety after the chief incumbent of the temple raised security concerns.

Earlier, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that there is a threat to the chief incumbent's life because of the presence of two strangers in civvies.