IGP lauds cooperation extended by Civil Defence Committees

Sarath Malalasekera

The new Police Community Office at Pettah, was opened by IGP Jayantha Wickremaratne on Saturday morning, Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera and Civil Defence Committees Co-ordinating Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage also participated at the ceremony.

Police Community Centres have been set up on the direction of the IGP. A number of underworld and criminal gangs have been effectively dealt with since the setting up of these Police Community Centres.

The Administration of the Criminal Justice system has been energised through a better rapport between the Police , Public and the Judiciary, said IGP Wickremaratne.

The IGP emphasised that due to effective surveillance of the Civil Defence Committees the Police were able to detect four kilos of C4 type high explosives this year and prevent a major disaster.

"We were able to prevent several major disasters as a result of co-operation received from the members of the Civil Defence Committees," the IGP added.

Colombo Senior DIG Nimal Mediwaka said public cooperation is vital for the police to maintain law and order.

The public and police have been a great strength in helping set up Police Community Centres, Senior DIG Mediwaka said. Minister Aluthgamage said during the last eight months more than 150,000 volunteers have been drafted to the Civil Defence Committee.

He emphasised that the terrorists were planning to create panic in various parts of the country at a time when the LTTE is suffering a severe beating at the hands of the Security Forces who are on the verge of liberating Kilinochchi.

Minister Aluthgamage urged the public to be more vigilant.