15,000 Civil Security Committees to meet terrorist challenge

Shirley Wijesinghe

The Government has decided to set up 14,913 Civil Security Committees at village level within one month in order to strengthen national security, Minister of Power and Energy, Co-oridinator Civil Security Committee Mahindananda Aluthgamage said.

Addressing a Media briefing at Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA) Auditorium yesterday the Minister said that 25 civil Security Operational Committees at district level would be formed before February 25, 2008 and 322 Civil Security Operational Committees will be formed within three weeks thereafter. The formation of 14,913 Village Civil Defence Security Committees will be completed before March 15, Minister Aluthgamage stressed.

A special training will be given to 10 youth volunteers selected from each civil security operational committee through the office of Superintendent of Police of the respective areas which will culminate in the recruitment of around 150,000 youth from throughout the country as members of the unit, he added.

He said that all arrangements have been made to educate the 1,49,130 youths from the village Civil Security Committees on every aspect of public security.

"The LTTE terrorists who are on the verge of being defeated , are now engaged in destroying the lives of innocent civilians. The Civil Security Committees, in association with the relevant Police Stations will take necessary action to safeguard their own area from terrorist attacks" the Minister pointed out.

"Once made a powerful skilled force of 1,50,000 had been formed, we will be able to successfully face all challenges posed by the terrorists in the South" the Minister said. Responding a question raised by the media, Aluthgamage said no weapons training will be given to the recruits, but 10 newly recruited police officers will be appointed to supervise their activities.

Inspector General of Police Victor Perera recalled his experience working with Civil Police Committees and praised the Minister's effort over the present move . The IGP vowed to lend his maximum cooperation to the Minister in his bid to confront the challenges posed by the terrorists."

The Civil Security Committees will continue even after the complete eradication of terrorism in the country and function as a public friendly unit.