The Deputy Minister Ruwan Senarath keeps vigilant on implementing a national plan for fire extinguishing services with the intention of minimizing damages to life, property and environment in the country due to fire and at a discussion held recently at local authority level with all Heads of fire extinguishing units scattered throughout the island, his attention was drawn to the severe difficulties in providing services due to  the lack of human resources, technical issues and issues arisen in the water supply in district fire extinguishing units. Moreover, it was realized at this discussion that the failure in formulation of a service minute after year 2018 has attributed to the rise in issues in the service and, it was stated therein as well that the opinions and suggestions of officers in the fire extinguishing service should be promptly submitted to the Government for preparing the national plan. The participants thanked the Deputy Minister stating that it was the only discussion held in recent history with fire extinguishing units all over the island with the participation of Ministerial officials according to an idea of a Minister in charge of a subject.  

Subsequently, a discussion was held this week with Professor Priyan Mendis, living in Australia, professor of civil engineering of the Melbourne University who is an expert consultant at global level in the field of construction for the design of tall buildings including some of the tallest buildings in the world and included in the list of the topmost 1% scientists of the world as well, and a group of representatives of the Society of Fire Protection Engineering (SFPE) - Sri Lanka branch including Dr. Pasindu Weerasinghe of the University of Moratuwa who is a famous expert on fire performance and advanced concrete structures and as well as obtaining their expertise, views and proposals thereon were also discussed.  

The discussion progressed along matters based on the requirement for reform of fire safety rules of Sri Lanka and improvement of fire safety engineering and, firstly the current position of this scope was discussed. According to CIDA Fire Extinguishing Regulations of Sri Lanka (2018), even though it is satisfactory that laws and rules clearly prescribed are in existence, it was discussed that the range thereof should not be limited, they should be varied according to the nature of the project, construction or the relevant matter. Moreover, the lack of qualified fire engineers with expertise for taking such decisions was also discussed along with the following matters.

• Lack of plans and provisions based on performance
• Lack of qualifications for authorities with judicial power (AHU) relating to this subject
• Lack of a local educational institution for fulfilling qualifications even if required and lack of infrastructure for tests in this relation (such as laboratories)

Special attention was focused on the unfavourable situations which could occur due to not being updated when foreign investors invest in this country and there can be instances where these matters are taken into consideration.

Dr.Pasindu Weerasinghe stated that there are several graduates of the University of Moratuwa and the University of Sri Jayewardenepura at present who have further studied abroad on this subject and, conducting a workshop in future in this regard with their participation as well and a future plan in formulating a methodology by which proper educational and vocational qualifications can be obtained and establishment of an accredited laboratory were also discussed.

Moreover, the Deputy Minister’s idea was that in line with this arrangement progressing along short term, medium term and long term measures, resolutions should be provided for the issues in fire extinguishing units as well as for issues arising in training firemen. Moreover, Mr.Ruwan Senarath further stated that as both control and prevention of fire should be properly carried out, arrangements will be made for a broad discussion including views of this group of experts as well as those of all fields practically engaged in these activities such as fire extinguishing units.

The Deputy Minister was presented with a draft containing access road plans basically prepared for accomplishment of matters deliberated at this discussion by the team including the Professor and, it was mentioned that even though several attempts were previously made by the team including himself to bring this matter to the attention of the former rulers, such an opportunity was not provided and the opportunity provided by the Deputy Minister for the first time and his keen interest and concern in this regard was highly appreciated.

A group of officials including Mr.S.Alokabandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Mr.P.M.A.Dayananda, Private Secretary to the Deputy Minister, Ms.Maheshika Kodippili Arachchi, Additional Secretary, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Mr.Wasantha Ariyaratne, Additional Secretary, Administration & Training of the Provincial Councils & Local Government Division of the Ministry and Mr.Shaminda N.Indigahamadiththa of the Fire Protection Engineering Institute also participated in this discussion.

Furthermore, Mr.P.D.K.A.Wilson, Chief Fire Officer of the Colombo Municipal Council and the Fire Service Department appreciated the Deputy Minister for his continuous attention on this scope as well as the dedication in realizing these matters without being limited to discussions and, was commended on focusing on providing solutions for issues in fire extinguishing units and in obtaining professional qualifications for firemen and acting in team spirit with the contribution of relevant sections so as to cover all related fields.