Additional Rs 33 billion for Armed Forces sought

Uditha KUMARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

The Government yesterday presented a set of papers seeking Parliament approval for a supplementary estimate of Rs. 33 billion to strengthen the Security Forces.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Defence, Public Security, Law and Order Minister has presented the supplementary estimates to further strengthen security and humanitarian operations of the areas liberated from the LTTE and other parts of the country.

As a result of strengthening of the Army and an increased cadre, an additional fund of Rs. 20 billion is required for them for their pay and allowances fuel, medical supplies and compensation.

These will be met through the supplementary estimate.

"It is important to acquire vehicles and hire heavy equipment for troop transport and to construct new camps.

"It is necessary to allocate additional funds for the Sri Lanka Navy as the cadre increases simultaneously the cost of salaries and wages, accommodation, health services and other supply services have increased. To

Further, additional funds of Rs. 7 billion are required for continuing Naval operations, establishing Naval detachments in cleared areas and maintaining an operational status of the ships and crafts. The Sri Lanka Air Force requires additional provisions for supporting activities of resettlements. Air surveillance and establishment of new camps in the areas liberated by the Army also needs to be carried out.

Therefore, a supplementary provisions of Rs. 2 billion is required for pay and allowance diets, uniforms, other supplies and services.

In order to strengthen the security situation in the country and the humanitarian operational activities in the North as well as securing threaten villages, the Department of Civil Security is required an additional funds of Rs. 1 billion. An additional provision of Rs. 1 billion are required for the payment of the cost of living allowance and other allowances and for the payment of incentive of the Police, Police Special Task Force, Presidential Security Division, Prime Minister's Security Division and the Minister's Security Division. It is also necessary additional funds for the payment of compensation for Army personnel who sacrificed their lives, who were found missing in action and those who were disabled in the humanitarian operation in the North.