The fire-fighting unit of the Chilaw Urban Council which was set up nearly a year-and-a-half ago is idling as the council has failed to provide it with necessary personnel.
According to UC Chairman Hillary Prasanna Fernando, the Council requested the North Western Provincial Secretary to recruit around 50 men for the unit, but was told there was a dearth of funds.
And so the buildings machinery and equipment sit idle.
A two-storied building for the unit was built at a cost of Rs. 120 million- a donation from Holland.
Two fire engines, an ambulance, a double-cab and a boat were also donated by the Dutch Government.
While the double cab is presently used by the UC Chairman and staff of the UC for their own purposes, the other vehicles lie idle, awaiting a major disaster to trigger bureaucratic action. |
E-mail
