Legal actions will be taken to the letter with regard to the death of Mr. Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, former MP and Presidential Director General of Trade Union Affairs. Two suspects of the shooting incident who have fled to India will be arrested and brought back to the country today, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa during a discussion today (October 13) with the editors and directors of printed and electronic media in the State and private sectors, at Temple Trees.

He made these observations in response to a question raised by a journalist regarding the situation that has emerged as a result of the VIP security forces’ receiving weapons by various means.

The President stressed that hereafter every VIP security personnel must be dressed in uniforms. No civil person can carry weapons for VIP security purposes, and a programme is initiated today with the participation of a special group to arrest such people and weapons available in the civil society. This will be implemented properly despite any challenge, he added.

Furthermore he said that politicians used various groups for their security in the then political culture that propagated the idea that one’s security should be provided by oneself. Due to the threats from Tiger Terrorists and the terror waged by the JVP, politicians started using personal bodyguards. Under these circumstances, sometimes underworld gangs also joined VIP security during this period. Even though there is no terror at present, the same political culture still prevails.

Now it is time to change this culture, the President reiterated. Politician and all should get rid of this mentality, he further said.