Row over posting police in lieu of Army personnel for Rajapaksa’s security

A press release issued by the former President says police are "not trained on VVIP security."

A press release issued by Mahinda Rajapaksa has not taken kindly to the new security arrangement provided to the former President saying police are not trained in VIP security.

The replacement of army personnel with members of the special task force and the police for the security of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has kicked up a controversy.

Announcing the withdrawal of the army personnel, numbering 50, with effect from Monday, a press release issued by the former President stated that the police personnel had been assigned but “they are not trained on VVIP security.”

‘They are trained on VIP security’

Confirming the development, K.J. Jayaweera, Army spokesperson, said he could not disclose the number of the Army personnel who had been withdrawn for “security reasons.” But, he asserted that those who had been deployed for the security of Mr. Rajapaksa were trained on the VIP security.

The release of the former President contended that “Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa is the only living leader in the world who defeated a powerful terrorist organisation.” The latest move of the government “has placed the life of former President in danger. It was the duty of the government to “provide sufficient military protection” to safeguard the life” of Mr. Rajapaksa.

‘No Army security for Sirisena, Ranil too’

Brig. Jayaweera pointed out that no Army personnel were in charge of the security of President Maithripala Sirisena or Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. "The same applies to the former President too." The Army spokesperson added that another former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga was also not provided with Army personnel for security.