CSF joins development drive

Ranil WIJAYAPALA in Galakiriyagama

The 41,500 strong Civil Security Force will directly contribute to the development drive of the country without becoming a burden to the national economy after they being relieved of their duties of protecting threatened villages after the eradication of LTTE terrorism, Director General of the Civil Security Department Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera said yesterday.

"There is no immediate plan to dissolve the Civil Security Department despite the eradicating LTTE terrorism from the country reliving their duty of protecting the threatened villages," Rear Admiral Weerasekera added.

However, he said that the recruitment of Civil Security personnel has been stopped as additional strength is not required in the post-war scenario.

"They will make their contribution to the national economy without becoming a burden to the country," he added.

Rear Admiral Weerasekera made these comments yesterday participating at the passing out parade of the Civil Defence Force personnel who had undergone special combat training at the Galakiriyagama Training Centre.

He said with the formation of the Civil Security Department in 2007, the number of Home Guards were increased from 19,200 to 41,500 to protect the threatened villages bordering to Northern and Eastern Provinces relieving the Security Forces personnel from that duty.

The Rear Admiral said the Civil Security personnel have already commenced contributing towards the road development process of after undertaking road development program in Padaviya.

"Rs.1.1 million of Government funds were saved due to the contribution made by the Civil Security personnel for this road development project," he added. He said the contribution of the Civil Security personnel will also be directed to the protection of archaeological sites, in the agriculture sector, livestock industry and other development sectors. Rear Admiral Weerasekera said Civil Security personnel will also be given the opportunity to join the Sri Lanka Army as 4,000 of them have already been attached to the Sri Lanka Army at the last stages of the battles in Wanni.

160 Civil Security Personnel, undergone special combat training were passed out yesterday.

Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Jagath Wijeweera, Additional Director General of the Civil Security Department Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris were also participated.