Defence secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi said, presently Gotabhaya has 50 bodyguards, including 35 Army commandos.

This is being done as per the government policy of not deploying the Army for VIP security.

Hettiarachchi told the media yesterday (16) that president Maithripala Sirisena, prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe or any other top government figure were not given Army security.

Mahinda’s security

Commenting on the removal of Army security from ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa, he said the authorities would remain responsible for his protection.

However, Rajapaksa has told Neth FM that he was yet to receive any personnel in place of the withdrawn Army commandos.