2026-03-03 / Adjournment Motion: Issues Faced by Civil Defence Personnel 2026-03-03
## Summary
Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara moved an Adjournment Motion highlighting the difficulties faced by Civil Defence Force (CDF) personnel, who were originally recruited to protect border villages during the war and whose employment was regularised under the previous good governance government. He noted that approximately 28,000 CDF personnel — among the lowest-paid state employees — are now being deployed outside their home districts to serve at police stations in distant areas, where they must personally bear costs for food and lodging without receiving any allowance, unlike other state servants deployed away from home. As a result, many personnel have reportedly resigned due to inability to maintain their farms or service loan repayments. The speaker made two specific proposals: that suitable CDF personnel be absorbed into the Police Service, and that those deployed outside their home districts receive the same allowances provided to Police officers under similar circumstances.
Hon. Presiding Member, I move the following Adjournment Motion on “Issues Faced by Civil Defence Personnel”:
“During the war, Civil Defence Force (CSD) personnel were recruited to protect border villages, risking their lives to defend them from terrorists. In recognition of their service, the good governance Government regularised their employment. Today, however, many have been deployed outside their home districts, for duties in other districts. They receive the lowest pay among State employees, and when they serve away from home they incur significant expenses for food and lodging, yet receive no food allowance. I propose that the Government grant appropriate relief.”
We know that when our war heroes went North and East, CSD personnel defended the villages. Some paid with their lives. In those days, the JVP waged a terror campaign in the South while the LTTE did so in the North and East, forcing the Army to face two fronts; CSD protected the villages.
In the good governance period we regularised them, created the Department, appointed a Director-General and used them to support the economy — even contributing produce to the State. Today, however, many from Monaragala, Ampara, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura have been sent to police stations in distant areas. Monaragala personnel have been sent to the South, lodging in temples, buying meals from eateries, spending their meagre pay on food and shelter and left with nothing. In other State services, when sent away, an allowance is paid; they receive none. There are around 28,000 CSD personnel; many have resigned because they can no longer maintain their farms or meet loan repayments.
We request that suitable personnel be absorbed into the Police, and that when deployed away from home they receive the same allowances the Police receive. Do not derail their lives; give them the support they deserve.