Security for politicians based on threat assessments: Watagala

Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Sunil Watagala told Parliament today (7) that security protection for politicians was being provided based on threat assessments, rejecting claims that the Government had withdrawn security assigned to political leaders.

Responding to a question raised by Gampaha District Dr Kavinda Jayawardhana, the Deputy Minister said there was no truth in allegations that security details attached to politicians had been removed.

Jayawardhana claimed that security personnel assigned to political leaders had been withdrawn and asked whether those officers had been redeployed elsewhere or remained attached to the Ministerial Security Division pool.

Rejecting the allegation, Watagala described the claims as “half-truths” and said security had been provided to former Presidents, former MPs and other politicians based on individual threat assessments carried out by relevant authorities.