The Government has initiated action to provide a comprehensive training in the handling of arms to personnel of private security agencies so that they could assist the police in matters of security in the South whilst the security forces and Police are engaged in pursuing military operations against the LTTE in the North.

Project Coordinator of the Civil Defence Academy (Attached to the Civil Defence Force) Chief Inspector Jagath Wijesiriwardena said this program was being carried out under the directions of Vice Admiral Sarath Weerasekera .

"We are carrying out the training in batches of 80 to 100 personnel".

He said that the training is being carried out at Serupita in Kalutara in stages. Initially, training was provided to security officers.

All of them were provided a six-day refresher course along with a comprehensive training in the handling of shot guns, repeaters and T56 automatic weapons, he said.

"We have commenced training security personnel to assist the security and development activities in the country", Wijesiriwardena noted. "They can also be called in to assist the police in handling emergencies"