Agriculture Minister K. D. Lalkantha says he believes the security convoy for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should be strengthened.
Speaking at a public gathering, the minister said that while he himself uses a double cab for travel, senior officials in his ministry, including the secretary and additional secretaries, use luxury V8 vehicles.
“These days, they have started to feel a bit embarrassed. Recently in Vavuniya, my ministry secretary asked how they could continue like this — earlier, eight of them had been travelling in a van,” he said.
Referring to social media posts showing the President’s motorcade, the minister said, “When the President travels, there is a group that must accompany him. This cannot be avoided.”
He went on to say that comparing the current security setup to those in the past is unreasonable.
“I think it’s foolish to criticize this. In my personal view, the President should have a much larger security detail. There should be massive security, no matter who criticizes it. Comrade Anura doesn’t like that, but I believe even a helicopter should be provided if necessary,” he added.
