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Secretary to the President, in a press release issued yesterday, draws the attention of the people to false and unlawful allegations against the President during the last few weeks by some private media.

The release states that allegations against the Presidential Security Division (PSD) too could be regarded as an attack on the President. The President is satisfied that the PSD has not been involved in any wrongdoing or irregular activity, says the release. It also says that the President drawn attention of the Prime Minister to threats levelled against democracy and human rights by physical harassment of Opposition parties.

The release:

"My attention has been drawn to some recent developments that concern the security of the President. I have been directed by her to explain our citizenry these developments as Secretary to the President.

Everyone who knows our Constitution, is aware it is the supreme law of the land, and also the powers, responsibilities and functions vested in the President under the Constitution. Article 4 of the Constitution defines the sovereignty of the people. Accordingly it is the responsibility of the President elected by the people, to safeguard the Executive power vested in her by the people to defend the country.

Chapter VII of the Constitution defining the Executive and the powers of the President of this country states, that there shall be a President of the Republic of Sri Lanka, who is the Head of the State, the Head of the Executive and of the Government, and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The President elected by the people shall hold office for a term of six years. It further states that it is the President, who has the power to declare war and peace. It also states that the President has the power to perform any or all the functions assigned to the President under International Law, Custom, or usage, not contrary to the provisions of the Constitution or any other written law.

It is a known fact that the right of implementation of the said powers vested in the President are very much in place. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga who was elected to office for a second term in 1999, has the power to perform the functions of appointing a Prime Minister, deciding the number of Cabinet Ministers, their subjects and functions, and appointing Ministers and Deputy Ministers from Members of Parliament. They will hold office during the full tenure of the Cabinet under the provisions of the Constitution unless removed by a letter under the signature of the President.

When the previous Government was defeated in the Parliamentary Elections held in December last year, Her Excellency the President took prompt action to appoint Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister. All Members of Parliament recommended by the Hon. Prime Minister were appointed as Ministers in charge of the portfolios proposed.

I wish to draw the attention of the people to the false and unlawful allegations made against the President during the last few weeks by some private media. From the date President Chandrika Bandaranaike assumed office in 1994 all steps were taken by the Government, Armed Forces and the Police to protect her from terrorist threats. On December 18th before the 1999 Presidential Election, terrorists attempted to assassinate her. Although she was seriously injured in the bomb attack, investigations revealed that her life was saved, thanks to the efficiency of the Presidential Security Division.

We are all aware that the security of the President depends primarily on the Presidential Security Division. It is their responsibility to ensure her safety not only within the President's House but also when she travels out on official or private visits.

Given this situation if there is some undue threat to the Presidential Security Division in whatever form or whichever quarter, a doubt arises as to whether this a ploy to demoralise the personnel of the Presidential Security Division?

These allegations could also be considered, an attack on the Office of Presidency created by the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land.

It is clear from the various complaints made in the last few weeks, that the public is very concerned. It appears that an organised campaign is in the offing, sometimes to brand the President as a murderer and to brand the PSD as a gang of murderers bringing various false allegations against them. Under these circumstances if I continue to be silent I would be neglecting my responsibility. It has become very important in my official capacity to point out a few recent incidents of threat and danger to the President's security.

On various occasions some media and individuals attempted to implicate the Presidential Security Division in every act of terror supposed to have taken place in this country. Some incidents have already come before the judiciary, and I do not wish to speak about them. However I do feel it is necessary to point out a few matters.

Police investigations into some cases have already been finalised, and some others are continuing. According to the reports received by her, the President is satisfied that the PSD had not been involved in any wrongdoing or irregular activities. The Rohana Kumara assassination case, Kumar Ponnabalam assassination case, Baddagana Sanjeewa assassination case, the alleged incident at Hanguranketha and Udathlawinna are some of them.

Murders, bodily injuries, destruction of property, a large number of incidents of loss of employment after the 5th of December Parliamentary Election and the conduct of the police have already been debated in Parliament. The President has discussed these with the Hon. Prime Minister on several occasions. Even yesterday morning the President had a long discussion with the Hon. Prime Minister and made him aware of the acts of violence perpetrated against PA supporters, MPs and provincial leaders and the baseless propaganda and false allegations against the PSD.

The Prime Minister's attention has been drawn to how these campaigns are likely to discredit the Constitutional and supreme powers of the Head of State. The President has also explained to the Prime Minister the grave threat levelled against democracy and human right of this country by physical harassment to members of the democratic opposition and the destruction of their property.

I wish to quote one more example, that is the Athurugiriya incident. As a member of the National Defence Committee I see it as a very unpleasant episode.

I have to point out that I value the statement made by the Minister of Defence last week to a newspaper about the serious problems created not only for the peace efforts but to the entire armed forces as a result of some police group raiding the said army unit at Athurugiriya.

Immediately after the Athurugiriya incident some sections of the media pointed a finger at the PSD in bold print in their front pages. They alleged that this special unit was one planning to indulge in a heinous conspiracy. I am concerned as to why some individuals indulge in campaigns such as these, and their sinister motives.

May I end by thanking everyone, who provided us information and submitted their views on these developments.

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