• Spkr. notes that Oppo. Leader has more security than minister    

Following the main Parliamentary Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya's (SJB) call for the Government to ensure the security of its and the Opposition’s Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Speaker of the Parliament, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, said that any security related issue had to be taken up with the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Speaking to the media following the assassination attempt on former United States (US) President Donald Trump, SJB Opposition Parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne highlighted parallels between the situation in the US and Sri Lanka, expressing fears that there could be similar threats to Premadasa.

When queried by The Daily Morning as to whether he, in his capacity as the Speaker, would intervene in such a matter, Abeywardana clarified that he has no involvement in the matter. "They (SJB) can take the matter up with the Defence Ministry if there is any issue. As far as I know, the Opposition Leader is already provided with more security arrangements, even more than a minister."

Attempts to contact the SJB General Secretary, MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara, and Police Media Spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General of Police Nihal Thalduwa to query about any formal request for enhanced security to Premadasa, proved futile.

Condemning that assassination attempt on Trump, Wickramaratne on 14 July suggested that certain factions within Sri Lanka might resort to delaying Elections through intimidation or violence. He stressed that the Government must take immediate and decisive steps to ensure Premadasa’s safety, highlighting that any harm to him would be a significant blow to the country’s democratic values.

Throughout its history, Sri Lanka has experienced numerous instances of attacks targeting politicians including those who ran for Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. These incidents have often been driven by political rivalries, ethnic tensions, or extremist ideologies. Politicians from various parties and backgrounds have been victims of violence, including assassinations and attempted assassinations.