Defence Secretary Sampath Thuiyacontha yesterday said that five out of seven firearms issued to Yoshitha Rajapaksa have been handed over to the Government.
He said that Rajapaksa has been informed to return one of the two remaining firearms to the Government. The Defence Secretary said that one firearm will be provided to him after obtaining an intelligence report.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Defence Ministry premises yesterday, Thuiyacontha said that 1,368 out of 1,697 firearms issued by the Defence Ministry for personal security of individuals have been returned and 182 persons have failed to return their firearms to the Government.
“A survey conducted by us has found that some individuals have been issued more than one firearm by the government and a decision has been taken to issue only one firearm to a person based on the intelligence report over the threat to his life,” he said.
He stressed that a firearm is issued to a person if an intelligence report confirms that the latter is facing a threat to his life. He added that details of some persons are not available in the census due to overseas travel and other reasons.
The Defence Secretary stated that security is provided to former presidents after a comprehensive security assessment and intelligence reports have verified that there is no likelihood of a drone attack targeting former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
(dailynews.lk)
(This story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)
