Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has reportedly received death threats from ISIS and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to Manoj Gamage, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Lawyers’ Association. This follows the government’s decision to reduce his security detail by withdrawing military personnel.
Gamage criticized the Ministry of Public Security for its move, calling it a significant risk to Rajapaksa’s safety. He cited a report from Superintendent of Police M.S.D. Wickramasinghe to the Presidential Security Committee on October 10, 2024, which warned of potential drone-based bomb attacks by ISIS and threats from the LTTE and underworld groups.
The replacement of military personnel with police officers has drawn backlash from SLPP allies. Gamage argued that police officers are insufficient to handle the severity of the threats, emphasizing the need for experienced military security to protect the former president.
This controversy is part of a broader debate over reduced security measures for former leaders as Sri Lanka grapples with an economic crisis. While Rajapaksa’s presidential term ended years ago, he had retained a large security team until recently, sparking further criticism over resource allocation.
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence announced that, effective December 23, military personnel assigned to protect former presidents will be withdrawn, with security now being solely handled by police officers.
The decision has been communicated to the heads of the tri-forces, as part of a broader effort to review security arrangements and reduce the expenditure associated with safeguarding former leaders.