Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga,had been provided with a security contingent far in excess of what a Minister was given and there was no reason for her to fear for her life, Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said yesterday.

He told the Cabinet press briefing in Colombo that remarks by Kumaratunga to the Indian media this week, that she feared for her life despite her party the SLFP, being in power, were unfounded.

The Minister said: "Mrs. Kumaratunga has been given 71 security personnel which includes one Superintendent of Police, three Sub Inspectors, 27 Police Constables, 18 Sergeants, eight Police drivers, one Woman Police Constable, one army captain and 12 soldiers. She has also been provided with 12 vehicles. In contrast, a Minister gets only one Chief Inspector and five Police Constables."

The vehicles are hardly used, because Mrs. Kumaratunga is eternally abroad and her security personnel were idling in Colombo, Yapa said.

He alleged that Kumaratunga, who had not helped Mahinda Rajapaksa with his presidential election campaign, was engaged in a conspiracy to tarnish the government’s image.

The Press Trust of India quoted Kumaratunga as having said during a personal visit to Kerala, that there was an atmosphere of fear and lack of freedom in Sri Lanka, even after the defeat of the LTTE.