'Pension scheme proposed for CDF personnel'

Played integral part in providing security :

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

"Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa will take all measures to grant a pension to all personnel of the Sri Lanka Civil Defence Force (CDF). Discussions regarding this matter are continuing in a successful manner," said Civil Security Department Director General Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris.

The Sri Lanka Civil Defence Force which was established in 2007 and its members have been deployed outside their home villages, including Colombo.

"Over 35,000 CDF personnel are deployed countrywide and played an integral part in providing security in Northern and Eastern Provinces. They are also deployed in the towns and cities to assist the police maintain law and order, he added.

Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris was addressing a ceremony held under the patronage of Defence Ministry Seva Vanitha Unit chairperson Ayoma Rajapaksa to present keys to the newly built houses for Civil Defence Force personnel. Twenty six new houses were built for CDF personnel under this scheme.

The houses were constructed in Morawewa, Gomarankadawala, Kebithigollewa, Vavuniya, Maha Oya, Wilpattu, Horowpathana, Uhana, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Yala-Kataragama and Kantale. Sri Lanka Civil Security Department Seva Vanitha Unit chairperson Kumudini Peiris was in charge of this project.

Rear Admiral Peiris said the Seva Vanitha Unit has taken several measures to look after the needs of CDF personnel and their families. Exercise books and stationery are provided to the children of CDF personnel and Rs 900,000 was allocated for this purpose this year.

Free spectacles and death benefits were also provided to CDF personnel on this occasion.

'The Seva Vanitha Unit has spent over Rs 87.8 million for the welfare of CDF personnel and their families in the last five years," he said.