Troops withdrawn, Police to stay at Mihintale Raja Maha Vihara

• Opposition Leader raises concerns about two unidentified individuals in civvies  at the Temple

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya 

Despite the fact that the military personnel were withdrawn from the historic Mihintale Temple, the police officers assigned to the site will continue their duties, refuting claims of their removal, police said. Police said some reports claimed that according to the decision taken to remove the military officers who were employed for various purposes in the Mihintale Raja Maha Vihara, the police officers who had been attached there for a long time will also be removed.

However, the Police announced that no action had been taken to remove the police officers assigned to Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya.
Accordingly, they continue to work in that historical place, police said.

Earlier, Military Spokesman Major General Ravi Herath said that more than 200 military personnel deployed at the Mihintale Temple for various purposes were removed with effect from Sunday (10) considering their safety after the chief Incumbent of the temple raised a security threat.

Earlier,  Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that there was a threat to the chief incumbent’s life because of the presence of two unknown persons in civvies.    

However, the Police announced that no action had been taken to remove the police officers assigned to Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara.
Accordingly, they continue to work in that historical place, police said.

Earlier, Military Spokesman Major General Ravi Herath said that more than 200 military personnel deployed at the Mihintale Temple for various purposes were removed with effect from Sunday (10) considering their safety after the chief Incumbent of the temple raised a security threat.

Earlier,  Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that there was a threat to the chief incumbent’s life because of the presence of two unknown persons in civvies.