Govt. to consider withdrawing security for Mihintale Vihara if …

By Saman indrajith

State Minister of Defence Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon told Parliament yesterday that 252 security personnel deployed at the Minintale Raja Maha Vihara would be withdrawn if the Chief Incumbent of the temples thought that the military presence at his temple posed a threat to his life.

Tennakoon said so in response to a question raised by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, who said there was a threat to the Chief Incumbent’s life because of the presence of two unknown persons in civvies.

Minister Tennakoon said that the two persons in civvies were military personnel engaged in surveillance duties. They had been deployed to ensure the security of the temple and the tourists after assessing the security situation. “We have decided to withdraw all military personnel who are at the temple premises if their presence is considered as a threat,” the State Minister said, adding that there were a total of 252 service personnel from the Navy, Civil Defence Force and the Army for the security and maintenance of the temple.Opposition Leader Premadasa said that it was a stupid decision.