By Himangi Jayasundere
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) yesterday said that a major inquiry would have to be launched if the IGP and the Secretary of Defence do not make necessary arrangements to further increase the number of security personnel assigned to Professor G. L. Peiris.

The commission headed by Faiz Mustapha voiced its displeasure on its earlier directive not being followed by the respondents. Mr. Mustapha pointed out that the two parties had arrived at a settlement on the previous occasion and the respondents had agreed to provide 15 MSD personnel consisting of one IP, one sergeant and thirteen PCs. However, the number of security personnel had come down to nine.

The commission yesterday advised the respondents to increase the complainants security, suggesting 12 MSD personnel and three officers from the Narahenpita police station. If the respondents failed to implement this by the next date which is November 7, a major inquiry would proceed to evaluate on what basis the thousand odd MSD personnel are being deployed for ministers and deputy ministers, the commission said.

However, Senior DIG T. E. Anandarajah said that police were unable provide four personnel due to logistical problems. He said almost all personnel had been distributed to provide security to ministers and deputy ministers and that those personnel have also been assigned on the basis of risk assessments. He further said that there were over thousand personnel in the MSD while a minister is generally assigned around ten security personnel.

Asked how many security personnel have been assigned to other ministers who defected from government he said that S. B. Dissanayake has been assigned six MSD personnel.

Former cabinet minister G. L. Peiris has filed a petition in the HRC against the drastic reduction of his security men citing it as an infringement on his fundamental rights under Article 12 (1) and 12 (2).

Following his defection from government the number of security personnel assigned to him were reduced from 78 to 15. This number was further reduced to four following his signing of a memorandum with the UNP. On a personal request made to the IGP by telephone the complainant’s security men were increased to six.

The HRC has requested the re-instatement of personnel bringing the contingent to a total of fifteen on the basis that this number was assigned to him on the basis of the assessment even after his defection from government.