SLASSPA - the invisible partner in nation building
The end of three and half decades of separatist violence and terror
has paved the way for rapid economic development activity in Sri Lanka.
After defeating a vicious enemy, the Security Forces and the Police are
making a laudable contribution towards this national effort.
These heartening developments have brought in its wake a bigger role
for private security agencies. They can no longer be perceived as
organizations employing uniformed men and women to stand guard outside
private and government establishments. As infrastructure broadens and
more new ventures are born every day, they have become an integral part
of nation building. Their primary task, no doubt, remains security.
Added to it, they have to be geared to be the link between a law abiding
society and the establishments they protect. For this, a collective
approach among the private security establishments has become a high
priority. This is where SLASSPA begins its journey.
Economic development
That primary objective is the foundation on which the Sri Lanka
Security Service Providers Association (SLASSPA) has been established.
The Association's current members numbering 116 companies, serve in some
of the country's most recognized private and government sector ventures.
An estimated strength of 52,850 who serve SLASSPA affiliated security
companies are, therefore, men and women devoted to new ideals, a rigid
discipline and well trained to meet the newer challenges posed by rapid
economic development. These security cadres understand the security and
safety needs of their clients and their properties. Though they put in
their utmost to protect their clients' assets, this segment of the
security trade is not recognized by the society in a 'Social status'
perspective. However, they belong to the same human community in Sri
Lanka.
 The birth and development of SLASSPA has been possible only because
of the fullest encouragement, support and co-operation extended by the
Ministry of Defence and Urban Development. This support is indeed an
acknowledgement by the Ministry that SLASSPA has a greater role to play
in nation building.
The membership is ever grateful to its clientele without whom SLASSPA
would not have been in existence. The journey is long and there is much
to be done. SLASSPA is committed and confident of moving forward.
During the past seven years of its existence, SLASSPA has obliged to
the directives of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development to
improve the professional quality of the security cadres.
Collective support
Already, a Security Training Academy has been set up in Serupita,
Kalutara by the Ministry of Defence and Periodic training courses are
being conducted for security officers to be educated on various aspects
of security. SLASSPA is also acting in the capacity of the co-ordinator
in the implementation of the Defence Ministry directives by its members.
SLASSPA is committed to the well being and career development of its
members. With this in mind, SLASSPA has chosen to introduce a code of
ethics for their members. Also several Committees have already been
established to handle Research and Development, Training opportunities
for its members, Corporate Social Responsibilities and Public Relations
etc. The aim of this is to uplift professionalism and quality of all
stakeholders associated with the membership by providing a collective
support network which would ultimately enhance the bargaining position
of member organizations.
As at today, it is estimated that there are over a thousand security
companies operating in the island. Surprisingly, less than 300 companies
are registered with the Ministry of Defence, which is a mandatory
requirement to provide any security related service to a client.
By not doing so, the other companies that do not comply with the
Defence Ministry regulations, not only violate the law of the country
but also encourage their clients to do so unintentionally. This has also
paved the way for unscrupulous elements to exploit the trade, which has
ultimately resulted in a situation where the day to day operatives who
serve these organizations have become desperate without any hope for
their future.
These operatives who are young at age seeking better prospects for
their future can then become a social nuisance which has a direct impact
on the security of commercial and industrial segment. SLASSPA expects
the relevant authorities to be aware of this predicament and take
appropriate remedial action.
SLASSPA extends an open invitation to all non member security
organizations to join hands in their effort to improve the standard of
the industry and to fulfill the expectations of all stakeholders, whilst
giving a special emphasis to uplift the quality of life of all personnel
who are engaged in the day to day operations of this significant trade.
Courtesy: SLASSPA
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