Ex-prez Rajapaksa's life also under threat: Lanka Opposition

Sri Lanka's Parliament was told on Friday that the life of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa is also under threat, following an alleged plot to assassinate President Maithripala Sirisena and Rajapaksa's brother.

"I have to inform the house that despite instructions to increase the personal security of the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa due to threats on his life we have seen no such action. We urge immediate action," said Dinesh Gunawardena, leader of the joint opposition.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in response said that adequate security had been provided at three residences of Rajapaksa, including deployment of the police's crack special task force which can be further strengthened if required.

Last month, a man named Namal Kumara had alleged that there was a plot to assassinate Sirisena and Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the former top defence ministry bureaucrat and brother of the ex-president, which had led to arrests, including of an Indian national here.