Security Forces to be withdrawn from Mihintale Sacred Site

State Defence Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon said in Parliament yesterday that all the Security Forces will be withdrawn from the Mihintale sacred site.

The Minister also stated that this decision was taken based on a statement made by the Chief Incumbent of Mihintala Rajamaha Viharaya and also Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

Responding to a query by MP Wimal Weerawansa, State Minister Tennakoon said that two officers in civilian clothes had been deployed there in accordance with the Government’s decision to deploy officers for the protection of religious places and also to ensure the security of pilgrims.

Accordingly, the State Defence Minister said that the 252 troops of the Navy, Civil Defence Force and Army who were present at the Mihintale sacred site will be withdrawn from yesterday.

Speaking here, Opposition Leader Premadasa said that the Government had ordered the removal of the Security Forces deployed at the sacred Mihintale site and such a move is a treacherous act.

The Opposition Leader said that the Tri Forces deployed at the site rendered a great service for the betterment of this sacred site. The Chief Incumbent also accepts that. But the issue is that the police and Civil Defence Forces recently caught two unidentified men who stayed at the site without any prior approval from the Chief Incumbent. It is unfair to withdraw all the 252 troops because of that, Premadasa said.

He further said that this is a violation of the Government’s duty to protect the Buddha Sasana in the country.

Saying that they do not want to politicize this incident, the Opposition Leader urged the Speaker to directly ask the Chief Incumbent about this incident.

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