20.6.2008
Rajmi Manatunga
One
hundred and fifty ex-servicemen joined the Security Force
of the Railways Department yesterday to enhance the protection
provided to railway commuters and property against terrorist
attacks targeting public transport.
The
new security officers possessing expertise in detecting,
defusing explosives and combating terrorist activities
constitute the first batch of 600 ex-service personnel
to be recruited to the public transport sector.
Addressing
the ceremony to hand over appointment letters to the new
recruits, Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said
the LTTE’s continuous onslaught of innocent train
and bus commuters proved its inhumane nature and sheer
brutality.
“There
is a reason as to why politicians and members of the Armed
Forces become targets of terrorists. But there could be
no reason whatsoever for the indiscriminate and senseless
killing of unarmed civilians. Such attacks are clear proof
of the LTTE’s ruthlessness,” he said.
Minister
Alahapperuma called upon the new recruits to provide the
same commitment they made to their respective regiments
prior to retirement, towards safeguarding the lives of
train commuters.
“Strengthening
the security provided to public transport services is
the need of the hour. It is this need, and not any incompetence
of the present Railways Security Force, that made us recruit
ex-service personnel to the Force”.
Commenting
on a statement made by the Opposition Leader calling Defence
Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa a traitor, the Minister
said it was questionable since the Opposition Leader has
never been heard calling the LTTE leader a traitor.
Interviews
are presently underway to recruit 400 more ex-service
personnel to be deployed in buses of the Sri Lanka Transport
Board. Persons below 45 years who have lawfully retired
from the Security Forces after a minimum of 12 years of
service are eligible to apply.
Courtesy - Daily
News