The First set of Civil Defence Committees to protect civilians from terrorists attacks will be established in the Colombo and Gampaha Districts today (February 14). 

The Government has decided to set up 14,913 Civil Defence Committees at village level within a month in order to strengthen national security. 

The Civil Defence Committees will be set up with 10 volunteers in each Grama Niladhari Division along with other public officers. 

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. 

The Committee will function in coordination with the Police and the public so that all information that could be useful in detecting or preventing terrorist acts could be gathered.