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Election candidates should request security, Sri Lanka police say
Sun, Feb 28, 2010, 09:50 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Feb 28, Colombo: Sri Lanka police say the candidates contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections need to apply if they need additional security.
The police spokesman Superintendent of Police Prishantha Jayakody said when candidates make those requests, the defence Ministry will evaluate the threat level and approve extra security if they needed.
"When such requests are made, based on the threat that has been leveled, steps will be taken to file a confidential report," the spokesman said.
"The confidential report would then be forwarded to the Ministry of Defence and security would be provided for those who needed it, based on Ministry recommendations," he added.
Police spokesman said that police protection will be given for election rallies after the necessary permits are obtained by the candidates.
Earlier the Defence Ministry said the candidates will no longer be provided with army security. The police and Special Task Force will be responsible for their security, the Defence Ministry said.
The Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said the decision was taken to depoliticize the army which had been divided by the former military chief General Sarath Fonseka's presidential election campaign.