The birth and the development of private security in Sri Lanka

This article is published to mark the 50th anniversary of Private Security in Sri Lanka.

PRIVATE SECURITY: The period was early 1950s. There were two young boys named Newton Dassanayake and Fuard Uduman studying at St. Joseph's College. These two boys enroled themselves as Police Reservists, that was meant for schoolchildren during the period and were attached to the Cinnamon Garden Police.

In keeping with the responsibilities entrusted to them, they visited the Police Station during weekends, holidays and whenever they were wanted to attend to any work. The office of the ASP attached to this Division was also situated adjoining this Police Station.

One Saturday morning when these boys were walking into the Station, the ASP who was standing at the entrance to his Office saw them and called them.

He questioned them thus "Aren't you school boys, I have seen you coming into the Police Station very often? What business have you here?" The two boys showed their Identity Cards and explained to him the purpose why they come.

The ASP who was glad to hear this, called them into his room and started talking to them. He made inquiries about their family background, education, sports activities and asked them, "You seem to like this type of work.

Do you like to join the Police?" The answer was they have still not even completed their studies and have not decided as to what they should do in their lives. The ASP however said "If you on any day think of joining the Police, please come and see me."

A couple of years later, when the time reached for them to decide whether they should proceed with the university career or not, they thought whether they should have a try at the Police Services.

With this in mind they drew-up their applications and met the ASP concerned. He was very glad to note it. Taking over the two applications, he made a comment on it recommending them highly since they were in possession of the necessary qualifications educationally as well as physically.

Having done so, he kept the two applications with him and said "Sons, you better go, I will send these applications to the Police Training School." They came to know that he had sent them through the Police mail.

Sometime later, they received letters from the Police Training School calling them for an interview. They proceeded to Kalutara. A Police officer measured their height and chest and directed them to face the interview board.

At the interview several questions were asked by the Members. Finally the Chairman questioned thus "Mr. Dassanayake, how do we manage communications in this country?" The answer was, it is through the postal service.

The Chairman then pointing the finger at him and said "That is right your application should have come to me by post. These ASP's are not peons to bring your letters to me. I don't think you will be a good Policeman." Saying so he closed the file.

Understanding the situation the applicant walked out. His friend faced the interview later. The same question was asked and the same answer was given. The two of them returned to Colombo disappointed.

A few days later they met each other and spoke about this.

They were disappointed and at the same time angry about the manner in which the Chainman reacted and the way they were treated. Through this anger they told each other, "These people have rejected us in this manner.

If they don't want us, shall we start a Private Police?" This idea had started building up in them and they were prepared to accept a challenge.

Mr. Uduman had an uncle by the name of Mr. T. Z. R. Assen. At that time he was the OIC Crime Branch attached to the Pettah Police. The two boys met him and explained to him what had happened and also what their idea was.

Mr. Assen said, "Yes men, in many countries we have these private Security Agencies, why don't you start one? I will also help you in whatever way I can.

Why don't you take over the Pettah Shopping Complex and start a Watchmen Service?" Mr. Assen introduced these two boys to the leading merchants in Pettah, such as Kundanmals Ltd., Pallak Lebbe & Co., Madras Palayakart Ltd., F. X. Perera and Co., Moulana Ltd., A. J. Perera and Co., Abdul Rahim Ltd., and many others.

Having discussed the details with them, these two boys organised a Watchmen Service to cover the Pettah Shopping Complex.

A Guard Room was opened at No. 25, Bankshall Street which was operated from 7.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. daily. A Supervisor was detailed on a bicycle to visit all the Streets.

This was a new concept because the existing practice was for the Shop Owners to pay 'Natamies' Rs. 2.00 per month to look after their shops at night.

However after much hard work and persuasion they were able to convince the merchants of 2nd Cross Street to try out the new concept.

Two Guards clad in Khaki Coats armed with torches, batons and whistles were detailed to cover 2nd Cross Street on the 15th of May 1956.

Birth of private security in Sri Lanka

Supervising the Guards very closely with Patrol Books placed at vulnerable points they were able to make this a success. Within a short period the entire Shopping Complex was taken over by this Service.

Shops attached to Reclamation Road, Bankshall Street, Main Street, Keyzer Street, Prince Street, Maliban Street, Norris Road, Malwatta Road, 1st Cross Street, 2nd Cross Street and 3rd Cross Street were covered in this scheme.

Cat burglars operated through the roofs, because they were attached to each other for long stretches. Having obtained permission from Muni Kundanmal, a large search light was fitted on the roof garden of his building which was about the highest point in this complex.

A Watcher was posted at this search light and he operated it every half hour flashing it on to the roofs. With Watchers patrolling the streets and the assistance given by this search light, they were able to control the burglaries to a very great extent.

Every weekend more than five to six burglaries had been reported at the Police Station before this service started, but with the implementation of this new scheme they were reduced to almost NIL.

One day when the DIG visited the Pettah Police, he saw an entry made by the OIC Crimes, which read as follows: "In the past when I come to the Police Station on Monday mornings, I used to come on pins, because there were at least five to six burglaries reported during the weekend. But after this Watchmen Service started it has been reduced to almost NIL and I now walk-in with a peace of mind."

The DIG called the two boys and commended their venture. This encouraged them more and more. They also received the assistance and the co-operation of the Police in a big way, which as another factor that helped them to make this a successful exercises.

Later this scheme was extended to the Fort area covering all the Streets and the large buildings.

Somewhere about the end of 1957 these two young men decided to extend the Security Service to the Port of Colombo. They met Mr. Thatham, the Managing Director of Mackinons Ltd., through Jerry Jayasooriya who was the Shipping Manager, and offered him their services.

Mr. Thatham said that they are loosing a lot of cargo in the Port and he was prepared to give them a chance if they can take over the challenge. The two accepted the challenge and started a Security Service in the Port under the name Marine Services Company.

They showed good results. Within about six months they took over the services of Mackinons Ltd., Delmege Ltd., Maclarans Ltd., Aitken Spence Ltd., Hayleys Ltd., and many other Shipping Agencies that operated in the Port of Colombo.

Their duty was to take over the ships when they reached Colombo, look after them and ensure the safety of the cargo in the vessel. This was done very effectively with a guard force of 1,300 men in the Port of Colombo.

This Port service was later extended to the Ports of Galle with 140 men, Trincomalee with 650 men and Kankesanthurai with approximately 100 men. Along with security they also took over the tallying of cargo in these vessels.

A Tally Contractors Association was formed in Colombo and Newton Dassanayake was elected as its President. A similar Tally Contractors Association was formed in Trincomalee and there too he was elected as its President.

The other members in Trincomalee Association consisted of Messrs A. S. M. Jeganathan, Vadivel & Co., Thasans & Co., Mr. S. Thangamany and Mr. P. Weerawagu who were also Tally and Stevedore Contractors.

In the year 1963 the Government suddenly decided to nationalise this service. Giving them 12 hours notice the Government took over the whole business and formed what is today called the 'Colombo Port Tally and Protective Services Corporation.' The personnel were also taken over by them. But a few remained.

Although this service was able to obtain an enjoying order from court refraining the then Port Commissioner Mr. P. Chandrasoma from interfering in the work of this service, it was the view of the Minister that a cabinet decision to take over cannot be changed.

The Shipping Agents were very disappointed since this service was carried out to their entire satisfaction reducing their losses by almost 80 per cent.

But there was nothing that they could do about it. All the Shipping Agents together made representation to the leading Foreign Firms, Foreign and Local Banks, Corporations and other Industries recommending this service very highly.

It was then extended to a large number of mercantile establishments, banks, corporations and even Government Departments in the city of Colombo, suburbs and the outstations.

Honesty, integrity, hard work, dedication, good PR, conduct and discipline were the main criteria that helped these two young people to face this challenge, and achieve success to become Sri Lanka's largest Security Organisation today.

In the year 1956 when the Pettah Watchmen Service started, the contribution made by each Client was Rs. 2.00 per month. The salary paid to a Watcher was Rs. 45 per month. There were no EPF or ETF contributions made.

When the Port Service started the salary paid to a Security Guard was Rs. 154 per month. They were entitled to certain statutory benefits in keeping with the agreements arrived in the Port. However, the Guards detailed outside were only entitled to their eight hour salary and they were paid for the number of shifts they worked.

Towards the middle and end of 1960s many retired Police and Army officers started organising similar Security Services in this country. The Chairman of the Police Interview Board who rejected these two boys also started a private Security Service under the name 'Sydney de Soysa Agency.'

In the year 1978 a result of representation made by the Security personnel and also the Trade Unions, the Government appointed a Wages Board for the Security Services Trade.

Through this, the minimum wages were laid down. With effect from September 1, 1978 the stipulated daily wages was Rs. 6.35. With effect from Sept.21, 1979, it was increased to Rs. 7.50 per day and with effect from 1981 it was increased to Rs. 19/05 per day.

On June 27,1982 it was increased to Rs. 21 per day or Rs. 620 per month. In 1984 the Wages Board laid down the working hours for the day, the working hours for the week and also the working days for the month.

In 1984 the minimum salary was increased to Rs. 850 per month for the operational personnel and Rs. 1,200 for the Supervisory Grade.

In the year 1985 February, it was increased to Rs. 1,000 per month for the Operational Grade and Rs. 1,350 per month for the Supervisory Grade.

From 1985 the personnel also became entitled to four off days per month with pay and for a year 14 days paid holidays. In June 1990 it was increased to 1,200 and Rs. 1,550. In May 1991 it was increased to Rs. 1,500 and 1,850.

In June 1993 it was increased to 1,800 and Rs. 2,150. In March 1995 it was made 2,000 and 2,350 per month and in September 1997 it was increased to Rs. 2,300 and Rs. 2,650 per month.

With the increasing of the salaries and the granting of other benefits more and more personnel joined the service but, in view of the type of work involved, specially having to perform day and night duties, many avoided this profession.

However, according to recent records there are over 400 services operating in this country with a Guard Force of about 150,000.

We hope with the co-operation of the Ministry of Defence, the Government and the Clients, it will be possible to make this a respectable and an acceptable career for the youth today. If this is achieved, these two boys who are now in their old age would be extremely happy because they planted the first seed in Sri Lanka in the year 1956.

This article was written by the Late Newton S. Dassanayake, a pioneer in Private Security on 01st November 1999, recording his memories on paper on 'the Birth & Development of Private Security in Sri Lanka' and submitted to the Industrial Security Foundation (Sri Lanka) Inc, in which he was a Founder Life Member and the 2nd President. He was also the Managing Director of Management Information Security Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd.