• Takes offence with ‘abrupt, irresponsible’ withdrawal of security presence sans proper notice, alternative arrangements

The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) stated that the Police had abruptly and irresponsibly withdrawn its security presence from the BMICH premises, despite the frequent visits of very important persons (VIPs) and the critical importance of maintaining a Police presence at the venue.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, BMICH Chairperson, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said that the sudden withdrawal occurred without any prior discussion, proper notice, or alternative arrangements, leaving the management with no choice but to urgently deploy its own staff to handle security.

“The Police asked us for Rs. 3.6 million per month to provide security to the BMICH. We have been providing them with accommodation and other facilities for about 30 years now without charging them a single rupee. We even pay their electricity and water bills. While we were still considering the matter, they suddenly withdrew all their officers and equipment within two hours,” she explained.

She further noted that the withdrawal took place during the Colombo International Book Fair, creating severe disruptions at the venue. “That day, the President visited the Book Fair. A group of untrained Policemen had been posted to ensure security, and an Assistant Superintendent of Police who was there went and closed all the gates to the BMICH. There were long queues of vehicles at every entrance; the vehicles bringing our food and drinks, everything was stuck. The gates have never been closed like that before.” 

Kumaratunga added that despite repeated requests from the management to open the gates, the Police refused, citing the President’s visit. “I have also gone there as a President before, but never were the gates closed like that. The Police should know how to provide security. I then called a Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police that I know, and he said that they (Police) shouldn’t have done that. Eventually, the gates were reopened,” she said.

She said that at the time of the incident, the BMICH had not even decided whether to agree to the requested payment. “It is completely wrong to leave like this without discussing the matter with us or giving us time to make a decision. Following the Police withdrawal, we have deployed our own staff to handle security. There are three Police officers sitting at the Police post now, but all the security is handled by our staff. Many important people come here regularly, so, the Police should not have left so irresponsibly.”

When contacted by The Daily Morning, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala said that the matter would have to be inquired from the Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya. Police Media Spokesperson and Assistant Superintendent of Police F.U. Wootler was not available for comment.

Kumaratunga’s comments follow the temporary closure of the BMICH Police post on 3 October, after an official order instructed all officers to withdraw and transfer their property including weapons, ammunition, and records to the Borella Police Station. It was reported that the post was re-established a day later with a reduced number of officers. The BMICH Police post, originally a ‘C’-class Station, was upgraded to a ‘B’-class Station in 2017.

The BMICH is a convention centre located in Colombo. The Board of Management of the Bandaranaike National Memorial Foundation maintains the BMICH complex.