Ranil’s security slashed to 10 on IGP’s orders

The UNP last night raised the alarm that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe – whose shock sacking on Friday threw the country into political turmoil – had been slashed to 10 officials, posing a threat to his life.

IGP Pujith Jayasundara issued directives in writing to DIG Jayantha Wickremasinghe, who is in charge of the Prime Ministerial Security Division (PMSD), to take action to remove additional security for Wickremesinghe and slash his security to “only 10 personnel”.

“Take action to implement these directives on an urgent basis and keep me informed,” the IGP’s letter to DIG Wickremasinghe ordered. 

The IGP’s letter said President Sirisena had removed Prime Minister Wickremesinghe from his post and appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa as the country’s new Prime Minister. STF and PMSD personnel have been assigned for the security of former Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, the letter said.

“Therefore, take action to remove additional personnel from the Prime Ministerial Security Division and the STF assigned to former PM RW, and utilise only 10 personnel for his security,” the IGP ordered.

Dr. Harsha De Silva, who served as State Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs at the point at which Prime Minister Wickremesinghe was ousted last Friday, said: “Sri Lanka PM’s life under threat. With growing tension and threats by politicians to eject PM from Temple Trees, things could get very ugly and lives lost.”