Maheswaran’s security was adequate - Rambukwella

By Rathindra Kuruwita
Government’s Defence Spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella yesterday claimed that the security provided for Colombo Parliamentarian MP T. Maheswaran was adequate according to the threat estimates conducted by the military intelligence.

He made this claim while addressing reporters at a news conference held in Colombo yesterday. According to the Minister, the level of threat faced by the UNP MP was low.

“We allocate security personnel according to a scientific method. We normally provided Mr. Maheswaran more security when he travelled to Jaffna where we believed his life was at risk. When he was in Colombo, the number of security was reduced because the level of threat was low,” the Minister said. The Defence Spokesman added that the security forces had asked the late parliamentarian not to stick to a particular routine.

“Even if we provided 100 security personnel, if the MP stuck to a routine, the LTTE would have found weaknesses in the security arrangement. The late MP had a habit of visiting the Sri Ponnambalan Vaneswara daily and the LTTE had identified that,” Rambukwella claimed.

According to the Spokesman, late Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar had 126 security personnel, but because he followed a routine the LTTE was able to get to him. He added that it is extremely difficult to provide security at a religious premise.

“We cannot screen everyone because it is a popular place of worship. That is why there were a lot of civilian casualties as well,” Rambukwella explained.