India says there was a lapse in security arrangement for Mr. Narayanan

The Indian High commission in Colombo said the agreed security arrangements for India’s National Security Advisor, MK Narayanan,
were not implemented during the summit.

The High Commission was responding to media reports quoting Minister Keheliya Rambukwella regarding the security cover for Mr. Narayanan.

It added that Sri Lankan authorities have taken remedial measures and apologised to the Indian officials when the matter was raised.

It is not the practice of this High Commission to comment on security issues in detail. Sri Lankan security authorities have apologized to Mr. Narayanan. We now consider this matter closed Indian High Commission in Colombo

“It is not the practice of this High Commission to comment on security issues in detail. Sri Lankan security authorities have apologized to Mr. Narayanan. We now consider this matter closed”, the statement said.

The fact that Mr. Narayanan could travel in a taxi in the capital meant the seriousness of the security arrangements, Minister Rambukwella has said.

It is highly unusual for a diplomatic mission to respond to comments made by a senior government minister.

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa took over as the chairman of the regional body as the 15 SAARAC summit was concluded in Colombo last week.