Sri Lanka, Oct. 13 -- The Ministry of Public Security is reviewing requests by former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena to return bulletproof vehicles previously allocated to them, Minister Ananda Wijepala told the Daily Mirror.
He said that security-related matters are not covered under the Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Act.
In early October 2025, Mahinda Rajapaksa returned his bulletproof vehicle in compliance with the government's directive to scale back privileges previously afforded to former presidents.
Minister Wijepala said both former presidents had requested the return of vehicles. "They express that taking over the bulletproof vehicles by the government was fair. Maithripala Sirisena requested the return verbally, while the former President submitted a written request," he said.
The minister added that the requests would be referred to the Threat Assessment Committee, which includes senior officials such as the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and the Inspector General of Police. The committee will review whether returning the vehicles could compromise their security.
"If returning the vehicles affects their security in any way, there is a possibility for the vehicles to be returned," Wijepala said, adding that action will be taken according to the committee's decision.
He had earlier said in Parliament that the law allows the return of such vehicles if the safety of former presidents is at risk.
Last week, Mahinda Rajapaksa's media spokesperson, Attorney-at-Law Manoj Gamage, said the bulletproof vehicle was handed over after the Presidential Secretary instructed on September 24 that all official vehicles and the former president's official residence be returned under the Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Act. Gamage also noted that the passenger vehicle used by Rajapaksa's security officers was returned, warning that the move has placed the former president's life at risk.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.