State Minister for Defense Pramitha Bandara Thennakoon announced today in the Parliament that security provided with armed troops to Mihinthalaya sacred premises has been removed with immediate effect.
According to the state Minister 103 people, including a Navy officer, 43 army officers, and 100 civil defense personnel were deployed for security and other related duties and will be withdrawn from today.
The State Minister further said that following the incumbent of Mihintale, Walawahengunawewe Dhammaratana thera claimed that there was a conspiracy to kill him using army officers while they were being held in Mihintale sacred premises the government decided to withdraw the Army avoiding any issue related to the Thera’s claim.
He further said that this murder conspiracy charge was leveled against two military officers who were employed with the military contingent for three weeks and they were not deployed to sweep the soil but to ensure security in every place where the public hung out after the incident on October 07, the state minister explained.
The Minister of State also said:
“One Navy officer and 103 soldiers have been deployed for the security and other maintenance work of Mihintala shrine. 100 have been deployed in the Civil Defense Force. 43 have been deployed in the army. The total is 252. In addition, the police were also on duty on the ground.
