State Minister of Defence says security at the Mihintale sacred site was not removed

COLOMBO (News 1st); State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon says security at the Mihintale sacred site was not removed.

He made this statement in Parliament today in response to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Former Minister Roshan Ranasinghe regarding the removal of a group of security forces personnel deployed at the Mihinathale sacred site.

The State Minister said the security forces personnel that were removed were not engaged in security duty for the sacred site, adding that Police officers provided security for the site.

He added around 30 Police officers are deployed at the site at present for security.

The State Minister of Defence said Army or other security forces personnel can be deployed to the site for security if the need arises.