Party Leaders, General Secretaries and ex-MP candidates:

IGP to provide security

Wasantha RAMANAYAKE

IGP Mahinda Balasooriya has decided to provide security to election candidates who are either Party Leaders or General Secretaries, the Attorney General informed the Supreme Court when the rights application filed by Muslim Congress Leader Rauf Hakeem was taken up yesterday.

Deputy Solicitor General Indika Demuni de Silva appearing for the Attorney General added that the eligible candidates should be the MPs of the last Parliament. They are entitled to four police officers including a police inspector.

The Bench comprised Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, Justice P.A. Rathnayake PC and Justice Chandra Ekanayake.

Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake suggested that the petitioner could discuss the requirement of the additional security with the IGP when President’s Counsel Ikram Mohamed for petitioner Rauf Hakeem submitted that the provision was not sufficient and his client needs additional security.

He submitted that his client is a party leader whose life is under threat and he has to travel frequently to the North and the East for election campaigning. The President’s Counsel agreed to discuss the issue with the IGP and reserved his right to make an application to the court if the IGP would not be agreeable to provide more security.

Petitioner Rauf Hakeem complained to the court that his security was withdrawn after the dissolution of Parliament. He stated that he is required to attend the parliamentary session that would debate the extension of the Emergency. He stated that the withdrawal of security was in violation of his fundamental rights.

President’s Counsel Ikram Mohamed appeared for the petitioner.

Deputy Solicitor General Indika Demuni de Silva appeared for the respondents.

The rights application will be mentioned on March 10.