December 23, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan government has announced the official withdrawal of tri-forces personnel assigned to provide security for former presidents, effective from today (23).
This decision marks a significant shift in the security arrangements for former heads of state.
In a statement delivered during a parliamentary session last week, Minister of Public Security, Ananda Wijepala, explained that the move to scale back the security provided by the military was made after careful consideration.
From now on, the responsibility for safeguarding former presidents will solely rest with the police force. While this marks the end of tri-forces involvement, the number of police officers dedicated to this task has also been reduced.
However, the government reassured the public that sufficient personnel would remain in place to ensure the continued protection of former presidents.
The decision to decrease the security detail comes as part of broader cost-cutting measures, with the government citing the significant financial burden of maintaining such extensive protection for former leaders.
In response, the authorities have promised that the security arrangements will be periodically reviewed, with reassessments conducted every six months.
If deemed necessary, additional security measures will be implemented to guarantee the safety of the former heads of state.
Despite the reduced presence of military personnel, the Ministry of Defence has assured the public that the security of the former presidents will not be compromised.
The government is confident that the police, with their expertise in domestic security, will be able to manage the protection of former presidents effectively.
