Weapons to protect PHI's

11 July 2012 11:26 am

A special security program will be introduced to ensure the safety of the officials engaged in the operations of the National Mosquito Eradication Program, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said today

Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, Minister Sirisena said the program will be carried out in collaboration with the Defense Ministry where an armed, police or military official will be included in teams engaged in field work and inspections.

"Although military officials have been partaking in the process since the initiation of the program, they were not armed. However, in light of the recent incident concerning the Public health Inspector who was killed, we decided it would be necessary," he said.(By Lakna Paranamanna)