Maximum security for Opposition Leader

Uditha Kumarasinghe, Irangika Range and Sandasen Marasinghe

KOTTE: Chief Government Whip Minister Dinesh Gunawardene yesterday told Parliament that the Government has given the maximum possible security to Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

However, the Government has no ability to provide security to the internal problems created within the UNP, the Minister said.

The Minister was responding to a question raised by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said there is no internal dispute within his party. He said unanimous petitions have been received on his security guards.

Minister Gunawardene said 31 bullet proof vehicles have been imported after the election of 13th Parliament. However, the information cannot be divulged on politicians who have been reserved these vehicles due to security reasons.

MP Ravi Karunanayake questioned whether one of these bullet proof vehicles has been given to Eastern Province Chief Minister.

The Minister said the Government is bound to provide adequate security to the Chief Minister.

Minister Gunawardene questioned who gave bullet proof vehicles to the LTTE during the past period.

Did the UNP obtain any permission to give those bullet proof vehicles to the LTTE? The UNP gave for Prado vehicles to the LTTE. In addition, Auditor General’s report has mentioned on how the UNP released bundles of money to the LTTE from the Treasury.

Karunanayake said the UNP has not given any bullet proof vehicles to the LTTE.