The Supreme Court has declared a date for the hearing of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Fundamental Rights petition, challenging the government’s decision to reduce his security detail. The case will be heard on March 19.

The petition has been filed, naming Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, the Cabinet of Ministers and several others as respondents.

Rajapaksa alleges that his security detail was arbitrarily reduced to 60 personnel without a formal security evaluation. He also claims that no armed forces personnel have been assigned for his protection, with only police officers currently deployed.

Accordingly, the petitioner seeks a court order directing the respondents to conduct a threat assessment and restore his full security detail.