The government has decided not to reduce the security of the former President.

Initial decision was to remove military personnel who were currently the members of Rajapksa’s security contingent. Therefore, 50 soldiers were to be removed tomorrow, and another 50 were to be removed from May 1st.

However, when Mahinda Rajapaksa and Dinesh Gunawardena met Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe recently, Gunawardena had pointed out that reducing the security provided to Rajapaksa may cause a risk.

Wickremesinghe had stated that it was a matter of policy and will be discussed with the President Maithripala Sirisena again. The latest order issued by the President states not to remove any army member who are currently deployed for the security of Rajapaksa.

The State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene explained the reason to decide to remove army personnel from Rajapaksa’s security contingent at a ceremony held yesterday for distribution of ‘Wirusara’ Privilege Card for soldiers.

“An army is not to protect the VIP. An army is here to protect the country. We made a decision that no army member would provide security to any VIP. Even the current President and the Prime Ministers are given police security only”, Wijewardene stated.

He also stated that former President’s life would not be put into a risk, despite whatever the decision was taken.