Other members include union leader Alavi Moulana, Deputy Labor Minister Janaka Bandara Tennekoon and CPSL general secretary Raja Collure. Former minister C.V. Gunaratne was a member until a suicide bomber killed him on June 7. The Colombo District Civil Defence Committee is headed by Internal and External Commerce and Food Minister Kingsley T. Wickremaratne. His fellow members include Western Province Chief Minister Susil Premajayantha Samurdhi, Youth Affairs and Sports Deputy Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga, Transport and Highways Deputy Minister Bennet Cooray and Kotte Mayor Chandra de Silva. Trade union leaders from the opposition United National Party have pledged their full cooperation with these organisations, which follow closely proposals made by the Sinhala chauvinists.
Civilians can also help in transporting soldiers from the airport to the hospital.
The formation of these committees has far-reaching implications. They are aimed at not only forcing workers and the oppressed to shoulder the war burden, but also at suppressing any mass opposition to the government itself. With the help of the union leaders, the PA regime is setting up a police state-style network. It indicates that the ruling elite fears a social explosion. The WSWS invites your comments.