IGP to provide security
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his security was withdrawn after the dissolution of Parliament.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.
Courtesy : Daily News | 
