In the wake of the recent assassination of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekera, several Sri Lankan parliamentarians have voiced concern over their personal safety, citing inadequate security provided by the government.
Jaffna District MP Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna said he has been compelled to carry a sword in his vehicle for self-defence as the Police Department has failed to provide him with adequate protection.
The MP revealed that he had written twice to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) requesting that a firearm or even a spray gun be issued to him for personal safety, but his appeals went unanswered.
“Since there has been no response from the authorities, I now carry a sword in my car to protect myself if I come under attack,” he said.
The killing of the Weligama PS Chairman inside his own office last week has heightened fears among public representatives, particularly those in rural and northern areas, who claim that the government’s failure to strengthen security measures has left them exposed to threats.
Several MPs have urged the authorities to review the existing security arrangements for elected representatives, stressing that preventive measures are urgently needed to ensure their safety.
