President moves to beef up main candidates' security

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has taken all necessary steps to ensure the security of the two main contenders for the Presidency.

She has appointed a Special Committee to ascertain and report on adequate security measures for these two Candidates and by now every step has been taken to meet the Committee's recommendations, states a media release by the Presidential Media Unit.

Following the findings of this Committee which consists of high ranking Police and Security Forces personnel, she has strengthened security measures for the two candidates to meet any contingencies.

They have been provided with additional security personnel. Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake has been directed to personally contact Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to ascertain his security needs.

Following inquiries, security arrangements to Ranil Wickremesinghe has been further strengthened. The same procedure has been adopted with regard to security to Premier Mahinda Rajapakse.

Acting further, President Kumaratunga has instructed all relevant authorities to pay attention to the security needs of Anura Bandaranaike and Anuruddha Ratwatte.