REFUGEE

Warning the Mahinda Rajapaksa government of the consequences of any reduction in his security, ex-Sri Lankan army chief and presidential aspirant Sarath Fonseka has said any attack on him due to inadequate protection could also kill hundreds of passers-by.

"Obviously, when security personnel (for me) is reduced from 600 to 25 and vehicle fleet of 25 is reduced to 3, it is not practically possible," Fonseka told reporters yesterday when asked about his complaints about inadequate security.

"There is threat on me when I move on the road. If they (the LTTE) attack me, over hundreds of others will also die on the road. That is not good for the security of others also, so I have gone to court on that (security issue)," he said.

The former army chief, credited for the annihilation of the LTTE in a military offensive earlier this year, quit as Chief of Defence Staff three weeks ago following a spat with Rajapaksa and yesterday announced that he will enter the fray to challenge the incumbent in the next presidential pollsClaiming that his fundamental rights have been violated by the state as it drastically reduced his security after his retirement, Fonseka has moved a court seeking more protection. In a letter to the President's secretary before his retirement, Fonseka had asked for enough security after giving up his uniform. It had said as agreed upon by the President, the requisite officers or soldiers and vehicles should be made available for security duties for him.