Civil Defence Committees to play a different role

The Civil Defence Committees will be changed to operate as a labour force during a sudden disaster situation. This reference has been made by Deputy Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

The Deputy Minister said the Government’s attention was drawn to gathering intelligence information by Civil Defence Committees. As such, the Government considered that the Civil Defence Committees which were operating via the Police, could play a significant role. As such, the Government considered that it is opportune for Civil Defence Committees to take this undertaking as it comprised the Police, Politicos, Government officials and the public.

Civil Defence Committees discharged a valuable service in operations carried out to defeat terrorism. There should be a labour force which could be active immediately during floods, earth-slips and epidemics. Joining in a workshop to educate Police Officers, Mr. Aluthgamage said that committees were being set up based on the need of the hour after the war. IGP Mahinda Balasuriya and a group of Police Officers were present.