2026-03-03 / Adjournment Motion: Issues Faced by Civil Defence Personnel 2026-03-03
Hon. Kins Nelson seconded a motion by Hon. Ranjith Madduma Bandara concerning the Civil Security Department (CSD), whose members historically performed village defence roles during wartime. He raised concerns about the President's Budget Speech proposal to second 5,000 CSD members to the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Police, arguing that such transfers require proper training and that Wildlife protected zones have specific entry restrictions. He further urged that secondments be made within members' home districts — citing Ampara, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee — as many CSD members are farmers dependent on cultivation to supplement low wages, and distant postings would cause hardship to their families. He also called on the Minister to address longstanding shortfalls in basic equipment such as uniforms, boots, and raincoats, referencing a protest by CSD members' spouses in Kantale as evidence of the welfare concerns.
Hon. Presiding Member, I second the motion by Hon. Ranjith Madduma Bandara.
We remember how, in wartime, village defence was shouldered by the CSD. Today, they face problems. The President, in his Budget Speech, said 5,000 CSD members would be seconded to the Department of Wildlife Conservation and to the Police. But one cannot second officers to Wildlife without training; even Police cannot enter certain protected zones without due process. Proper training is essential.
Most CSD members are farmers who supplement their low pay with cultivation. If they are moved far from home — from Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, etc. — they cannot farm and their families suffer. Second them, where possible, to institutions within their own districts — Police or Wildlife — and provide necessary equipment. Many have not received uniforms, boots or raincoats for a long time. I saw spouses protesting in Kantale — not against the Government, but pleading for fairness. I trust the Minister will consider this.