• Some face security risk as Police confirms threats made

Several candidates in the Presidential Election have refused the assignment of security personnel amidst ongoing threats to their safety.

“We will be providing security; however, there are several candidates who have refused protection,” Police Media Spokesperson, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Nihal Thalduwa told The Daily Morning yesterday (10) in response to a query on the nature of the security provided to the candidates. “However, if they require and request security, the Police will provide them Police officers to guard them.”

Thalduwa declined to comment on the number of Police officers allocated to candidates yet mentioned that there have been threats made against various candidates.

“The President of the country is an important person and many of the people running for the President are high profile people,” Thalduwa said. “These people face threats on a regular basis, especially during times of an Election. The Police assess these threats and provide them with security.”

The Ministry of Public Security confirmed that protection for the candidates is being assessed through intelligence reports and that security measures will be provided based on these intelligence reports. Security assessments will also be carried out days before any public rally that a candidate might have and the security of the area of the rally will be re-evaluated a few hours before the candidate’s participation in order to ensure that no harm is caused to the candidate.

Despite these measures, a member of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Renuka Perera, claimed that threats have been made against SLPP Presidential candidate, Government Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, and the latter’s father, former President and incumbent Government MP Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Currently, a committee consisting of the Secretary to the Public Security Ministry and a DIG, work with the Election Commission to oversee the candidates’ security arrangements.