Mahinda Rajapaksa has not asked for a helicopter – Weliwita

Reports that the government has provided a helicopter for the use of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa are completely untrue, according to latter’s Media Coordinator, Rohan Weliwita.

He says that apart from the helicopter journey from Colombo to Tangalle on January 09, which was officially used as the former President, up to date Rajapaksa has not obtained the government’s helicopter facility and neither has he requested for such a facility at any point.

In a statement issued today, Mr Weliwita further says that 105 police officers including 4 ASPs have been provided for Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security and that they have been issued only 3 vehicles from the police department.

Apart from these 3 vehicles, the police department has not provided any other vehicle or motorcycle for the 105 police officers, he said, adding, that 17 vehicles and mobile phone which were provided erlier have been reclaimed by the police department.  

These officers are currently using vehicles which were received personally and vehicles rented, for the ex-President’s protection, he claimed.

On military security, Mr Weliwita says that 108 army personnel including two high-ranking officers have been assigned to Rajapaksa’s security detail.

However, he says that the two high-ranking officers are yet to receive official vehicles or office facilities from the Sri Lanka Army for their rank.

No vehicles or motorcycles have been provided for use by these 108 army personnel while they have also not been given office facilities, he said.

 Mr Weliwita further said that Mahinda Rajapaksa as the former President of Sri Lanka has only received 3 VIP vehicles and 3 security vehicles from the Presidential Secretariat.  

He has not been provided with helicopter facilities for travel as claimed by Minister John Amaratunga and neither has he made such a request, Rajapaksa’s Media Coordinator said.