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A bullet catcher's life

By Marianne David

Asanka Perera (name changed) is a bullet catcher. "A bodyguard is called a bullet catcher and it's true - that is what we are," he says, accepting the fact that everyday, his life is at stake when he is on the job.

A prominent minister's Personal Security Officer (PSO), Asanka radiates confidence and strength. Talking to him, one realises that this man takes his responsibilities very seriously, thinking twice even before he speaks to a friend so that the VIP's security is not compromised. "When a PSO is with others, he has to be extremely disciplined and even careful when talking. You have to think twice always," he says.

He does not seem the easily excitable type but underneath his seemingly laidback attitude, his inner strength is obvious. "I am ready for anything because this is my job. No one forced me into this. I became a bodyguard on my own free will," says Asanka.

Having been a military officer for over 10 years, Asanka was appointed as a minister's bodyguard recently. Working for a man who is under greater threat than most ministers, Asanka says that he feels no fear when he leaves home in the morning that he may not come back at night.

"It's not that I feel no fear at all. A man who says he is not scared of anything is a fool. Everyone has some kind of fear inside. There is the fear that anything may happen."

While he has confidence in himself, there is no false pride and desire to boast. "We are all human," he says. "A bodyguard can never be overconfident. If that happens, he cannot do his job. Discipline is very important."

According to him, the person who takes the first action has a 60% - 75% chance of success. "If I wanted to shoot someone, they wouldn't know. I would have my weapon ready and wait until they are in sight. I only have to see the person."

A threat could be from anywhere, he says, adding that threats change according to the person. "The president, prime minister, ministers, other VIPs, etc, face different types of threats. They could be from the LTTE, other armed factions, other political parties, the minister's own party, underworld gangsters or even from an ordinary. For example, a man who was in love with a nurse and wanted to prove his courage shot at former US President, Ronald Reagan."

Planning beforehand

While a workday starts at different times according to the minister's activities, meticulous planning is done beforehand to ensure that risks are kept to a minimum level, says Asanka.

"A day could start and end at any time. But I always know what I will be doing on that day because we plan everything beforehand; sometimes we even plan up to two weeks ahead."

A bodyguard is part of the team that decides on routes the vip takes and they are changed everyday. "The routes and vehicle tactics have to be planned. That is very important." Once the day's work is done, the team discusses what happened during the day and the lapses that took place, if any, and why. The number of bodyguards changes depending on the minister - it could be just five bodyguards or full security could go as high as 80 or more.

"For example, if a VIP is under complete threat and has a function in Kandy, we first send a team to study the place where the function will be held. Then the details are sent to the head of the minister's bodyguards. It is then that the number of bodyguards is decided. The number of bodyguards for close protection is generally the same unless it is for something like a May Day rally," explained Asanka.

When there is a large crowd, it's not easy to immediately tell where a threat could come from but every movement and change in a crowd is noted, he said. "Even while travelling, we can't give a definite number of the junctions we may go through. Then there are risks. Depending on the type of threat, an entire bodyguard team can be changed when a minister is threatened."

Asanka says a bodyguard is not just a person who surrounds the minister for security. "He's not a friend either, but a person who should know everything about the VIP, even more than his friends and sometimes even better than his wife does."

The PSO must fully understand the VIP's feelings and his personality, says Asanka. He must even know what food is good or bad for the VIP and whatever illnesses the VIP may have.

"Some ministers need to talk a lot but the PSO must know how to handle everything. He should be knowledgeable about the minister's personal matters even if they are illegal, understand the person and identify his strengths and weaknesses," explains Asanka.

"The bodyguard should know what to do even if he is asked to do something illegal. He has to decide, although people think he is just a person who does whatever the minister wants."

Asanka is married and has a small child. His family members don't mind his job because most of them are connected to the forces. "I don't tell them when there is a threat," he says. He is a strong Buddhist and believes in fate. "I believe that what has to happen, will happen," he says.

100% concentration

While he is on the job, Asanka says that he puts in 100% concentration. A day's work lasts 12 or more hours but in his free time, he is totally relaxed and does not worry about anything.

Working for a VIP does not mean that you can throw your weight around because he is powerful, says Asanka. "That creates a bad impression about the minister. The head of the bodyguard team decides who is suitable and if someone is acting out of line, he has to be put out. Even the head of the team is watched."

Does he worry about how the minister will react in case of an emergency? "No," he says, "that is up to me. I have to react according to the minister's sudden reactions and that is why being quick and alert is extremely important. In this regard I am sure of myself but teamwork is very important."

"Each member of the team must understand the others because everyone's life is in the hands of the entire team. I am sure of the men I am with but they are all human, so you can't say what may happen in an emergency. Everyone has to be 100% committed, otherwise the entire team is in danger."

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