The Colombo Fire Brigade started in the late 1800s. At that time, the water pot was used to put out the fire.
There is evidence that the Colombo Fire Brigade officially started in 1898, and there was a permanent building in 1900. At this time, a cart equipped with a water tank pulled by 4 men with iron wheels was used to extinguish the fire.
In the year 1905, Mr. L. A. B. Pill, a British national, became the chief of the Colombo Fire Brigade. Until then, the number of employees, consisting of 09 people, increased to 19 people. Horse-drawn carts and man-operated hand pumps were used instead of water-drawn tanks. The permanent building of the fire brigade was the old building between Reclamation Road and Bangasala Street in Pettah near the harbour. 1905-1913 was the reign of Mr. Pill.
After that, Mr. PH Lanway, a British national, became the chief officer. At that time, the service entered a mechanized age. Chariots have retired from the fire brigade.
By 1923, the fire brigade had increased to 45 personnel and had two ambulances, two pumps, a water tender and four fire engines, two chillscapes (wheeled life ladders). The firemen had to work continuously for six days and nights and only got one day off. In 1929, during the labor struggle, a fire truck was attacked and set on fire. From 1913 to 1931, Mr. Lanway controlled the fire brigade.
After that Mr. Mak became the chief officer and his service period was from 1931 to 1933.
In 1933, the first Sinhala Sri Lankan was appointed to the position of chief officer. He is Mr. BE Weerasinghe.
In 1938, an additional volunteer fire brigade was formed during World War II. In 1944, the volunteer fire brigade was disbanded and only the permanent fire service was employed. Those in the know say that when Japan bombed Sri Lanka (Colombo) during the Second World War, the bomb that was thrown at the fire brigade headquarters fell on the fish market.
Mr. Weerasinghe retired in 1946 and C.T. Mr. Perera became. During this time, the fire brigade received a new impetus. A few modern cars were also acquired. The system of working six days and taking one day off was changed and the system of working two days and taking one day off was started.
By 1958, the number of firefighters was close to 100. When the Trincomalee naval port was taken over by the British government, the Sri Lankan firemen who served under the British were recruited into the Colombo fire brigade. During the service of Mr. CT Perera, the fire brigade had a Deputy Chief Officer for the first time. That is Mr. G. W. De Silawa. Soon after, Mr. G.W.D.Silava was sent to England for training in French countries. The anniversary of the Municipal Council was also held in 1965, where a show was held with the participation of firemen. Two fire stations were opened at Wellawatta South Colombo and Wells Kumara Mawatha North Colombo. So far, only Malays have been appointed to the post of station commander of the fire brigade. They are Gapur, Ahmadine, Buso, Barshata, Thadu Peenrajon Puths Miskin Basir.
In 1969, C.T. Mr. Perera retired and G. Dabi. Mr. De Silva took office. A new headquarters was built for the fire brigade. After that, the North Colombo center and the old fire brigade headquarters were closed and 35 firemen were hired in his service. Due to the difficulty of working 24 hours a day, the international eight-hour work system was implemented since 1973 with the patronage of Mr. Vincent Pereira, who was the mayor at that time. During this period, Mr. Karunaratne became the Deputy Chief Officer. Mr. Lokuge has been appointed to that position in a short time. Later, as science degree was ordered as a necessary qualification, L.Sc. Mr. Silva.
A fire prevention post was created after Mr. CT Perera became the Chief Officer. G.L. Mr. Peiris worked as a fire prevention officer. Then another post was created. After the retirement of Mr. Pesir, the two officers Morayans and Udugamayana took the position. Shortly after that, another fire prevention post was created and Mr. Krishna Pillay was appointed to it.
A fire truck was brought and put into service at a cost of 10 lakhs to the Venu Wen Fire Brigade at the non-binding conference held in Colombo.
At the end of 1977, G. Dabi. Mr. De Silva retired. The fire brigade was led by the deputy chief officer L.S. Mr. Silva.
In the last half of 1977, Mr. KMI de Silva was appointed to the position of chief officer.
