Refuting reports that security personnel assigned to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe had been removed, police clarified that 163 officers remain assigned  to his protection. 

Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that preparations are underway to establish the Ex-PSD 8 Division, specifically for Ranil Wickremesinghe’s security.

The spokesman confirmed that current security for the former President includes police officers, with 50 personnel from the Special Task Force (STF) under the direction of the former Director of the Presidential Security Division.

He explained that only a redesignation of security personnel has taken place, with some being reassigned to the current president’s detail, while the rest remain with the former president.