Sri Lanka, Sept. 18 -- Public Security Minister Sunil Watagala said even former Executive Presidents and senior politicians were now required to appear before law enforcement agencies when summoned for questioning, instead of having investigators visit their residences to record statements.

He said the change reflected the Government's commitment to ensuring that the law was applied equally to everyone, regardless of political status or position.

Watagala said the Government had taken firm steps to ensure the independence of state institutions and uphold the rule of law, attributing recent law enforcement successes to the depoliticization of key institutions.

He said institutions including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), ...