Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security detail has been provided with only six vehicles despite Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne’s claim that 21 vehicles have been provided, Rajapaksa’s Media Coordinator Rohan Welivita said.

Releasing a statement, Welivita said that Dr. Senaratne was correct in saying that Rajapaksa has been provided with 108 soldiers and 103 policemen as security personnel. However, they cannot be transported since there were only six vehicles, he added.

The lack of vehicles to transport the 213 security personnel assigned to Mahinda Rajapaksa has jeopardized his security, Welivita added.  

Referring to the security provided to Rajapaksa, cabinet spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said at a press conference Tuesday (24) that the former president has been provided with a total of 21 vehicles including two high security vehicles, one ‘dummy’ vehicle, one Defender jeep, one Toyota Land Cruiser and one double cab.

He further said that the security personnel assigned were provided with three double cabs, one Land Cruiser, two vans, one bus and eight motorcycles for their use.

However, Welivita categorically rejected this statement.

“All the vehicles that were assigned to the police personnel in the former president’s security detail were withdrawn on March 03, 2015 by letter bearing reference number SP/04/0/8 issued by the Secretary to the President Mr. P.B. Abeykoon,” he said in a letter.

He further stated that former Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga wrote to the present Secretary to the President P.B. Abeykoon on March 16, highlighting the problems arising from the lack of vehicles.

“There has been no response to this letter as yet,” Welivita stated.