Cabinet directive wanted for President’s security

The political history of Sri Lanka is replete with assassinations and attempts at it. SWRDB, the common man’s Prime Minister, fell victim to a plot engineered by disgruntled elements within his own camp through “a man in yellow robes”, as the late PM had described. Three decades later, R. Premadasa, President, was blown to smithereens around in his own constituency and familiar environment., reportedly assisted by a trusted household lieutenant, when he dared to brave the familiar streets personally mobilising a May Day procession. A few days earlier, Lalith Athulathmudali who had trusted a rally mob sans his bullet-proof vest, was silenced with a bomb blast on stage at Kirulapone. Not long after, CBK as Presidential candidate also attending a rally, ended up with the loss of an eye. Many other leaders have similarly not been left to tell the tale.

The absence of the usual security regalia, including the expensive gun salutes, lead and backup vehicles, trotting horses, may be a sight the people longed for to be scrapped for a long time, and a welcome absence, but nevertheless the majority who had democratically elected the President would definitely not approve of President Gotabaya throwing caution to the winds, depending solely on his bullet-proof vehicle and divine sources to protect him. The State has the sacred duty and responsibility to protect him. He on his part needs to remind himself of the near miss at Flower Road years ago when he was the Defence Secretary. The shock and the few blood stains should be reverberating in his memory. To take chances now despite the bullet-proof vehicle would be to place himself in the company of blind men or those with blinkers.

Stalwarts like John F. Kennedy, Indira and Rajiv Gandhi, Abdul Nasser, Benazir Bhuto all paid their supreme price despite heavy state-of-the-art security and planning. There is no reason whatsoever to offer his life on a platter, particularly in the context of the on-going battle with the underworld and other racketeers and political foes. The Cabinet needs to assume responsibility and force the President to abide by a set of rules laid down for his security. There is no reason for others to seek such security, which indeed was an ugly sight which compelled President Gotabaya to set an example.

I.P. C. MENDIS