• He had left Temple Trees early Tuesday morning, under tight security
• The former Prime Minister will be given adequate security and would be transported to a preferred location when the situation returns to normal
• The security forces are bound to protect leaders of the country

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne said yesterday that former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was evacuated to the Trincomalee Naval Base for security reasons following the tense situation outside Temple Trees.   

A tense situation prevailed on Monday following the attack on protesters outside Temple Trees and Presidential Secretariat and former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was inside the Temple Trees till Tuesday morning as angry protesters blocked the entrances of Temple Trees and attempted to break-in.   

However, he had left Temple Trees early Tuesday morning, under tight security.  

Speaking at a media briefing at the Ministry of Defence, the secretary said that the former Prime Minister will be given adequate security and would be transported to a preferred location when the situation returns to normal. He said the security forces are bound to protect leaders of the country.