Civil Supervisory Committee to ensure security
Rohan MATHES
COLOMBO: Power and Energy Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said a
new Civil Supervisory Committee will be established to liaise with the
public in maintaining security.
Aluthgamage made this assertion when he addressed the weekly Cabinet
press briefing at the Government Information Department Auditorium in
Narahenpita yesterday.
He said public vigilance in matters pertaining to civil security was
of paramount importance, as evidenced by some past incidents, where
grave and imminent danger had been successfully averted on the
information and tip-offs supplied by the public.
“Members of the civil society should be vigilant and take optimum
care and precautions to avert or at least minimise the potential
devastation which could be caused by the terrorists. Their co-operation
towards the Armed Forces and the Police is vital and indispensable”, he
said.
Minister Aluthgamage said that on the Directives of President Mahinda
Rajapaksa, a new Civil Supervisory Committee would be established under
him, on a national level, in the 25 districts, 323 Pradeshiya Sabha
Divisions and 14,993 Grama Seva divisions of the country, commencing on
February 14.
A batch of 20,000 Police Officers would be recruited to the Police
service, out of which 4,300 officers would be deployed specifically for
this purpose.
Following their training, these dynamic officers with new blood,
vision and a mission, would interact and liaise with the general public,
and build-up a good rapport and reputation which has been fast dwindling
in the past, with regard to the Police service.
“These new plain cloths Police officers of the Civil Supervisory
Committee, will be selected sans any political, racial or any other
bias,” he added.
Speaking further, Aluthgamage pointed out that the Government after
several deliberations, and with great political will and determination
had achieved a great victory, in succeeding to formulate the All Party
Representative Committee (APRC) proposals, obtain a consensus with the
relevant parties, inclusive of moderate politicians such as
Anandasangaree and Arumugam Thondaman and simultaneously defeat the LTTE
in the battle field convincingly.
History denotes that when a practical proposal was forwarded, the
governments were defeated militarily, and when they were victorious
militarily, they failed to provide a pragmatic and workable political
proposal.
However now, amid diverse theories and idealogies, the Government is
determined to implement the 13th amendment to the Constitution fully,
via the APRC proposals.
The international community inclusive of the European Union, the
United States, Japan and other aid-giving friendly countries too, has
expressed their satisfaction and lauded the government in this matter,
with the view that this was a good beginning for a permanent and
sustained solution.
India had responded in favour of the APRC proposals within six hours.
The UNP, unable to oppose it, tend to make baseless allegations through
sheer jealousy, malice and petty political gains, to create instability
in the South, he said.
He justified the holding of the 60th Independence Commemoration day
on a grand scale in Colombo and also the ‘Deyata Kirula’ exhibition
which was of immense informative and educational value in diverse
spheres, especially to the students of this country.
“Just because the LTTE terrorists are waging a war with us, we do not
have to refrain or abandon development-based activities.
This is no carnival as the UNP had referred to it,” he reiterated.
Aluthgamage added that despite the diverse impediments and
constraints the Government would have to confront, it is fully committed
and determined to defeat the LTTE militarily, eradicate terrorism and
implement the APRC proposals before the end of year 2008.
Certain outstanding issues such as devolving power to the Provinces
in the controversial land and Police matters, would be open for
discussion and dialogue in the future.
Media and Information Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena also
addressed the journalists. |
