Outgoing President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who herself faced a bid on her life during a previous election campaign, has sent her elite bodyguards to protect Prime Minister and ruling party candiate for the November 17 election Mahinda Rajapakse, her office said in a statement.
The main opposition candidate, Ranil Wickremesinghe, was also given addtional security and told to plug the holes in his security system, the statement said.
"Security for the two candidates was strengthened and they were provided additional security personnel, vehicles and other logistics as directed by the President," it said.
Ports Minister Mangala Samaraweera said meanwhile that they feared that Tamil Tiger rebels may resort to suicide bombings against the Premier and other key politicians in the run up to the vote.
Tamil Tiger rebels have been accused of assassinating an opposition presidential candidate in October 1994 and trying to blow up Kumaratunga when she ran for re-election in December 1999. She lost one eye in the attack.
The new security measures also come in the aftermath of the assassination of foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar in the heart of the capital. The government immediately blamed the Tigers for the killing, a charge denied by them.
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