2026-03-03 / Adjournment Motion: Issues Faced by Civil Defence Personnel 2026-03-03
## Summary
Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala addressed concerns raised in debate regarding the Civil Defence Department (CDD), which employs 30,025 personnel. He outlined a restructuring plan to optimally deploy the workforce: 5,000 officers are being seconded to the Department of Wildlife Conservation (4,500 already placed, 500 to follow the next day), primarily to formalise their existing role in human-elephant conflict mitigation, while a further 10,000 will be seconded to the Police Department to address staffing gaps.
The Minister rejected claims that seconded officers lacked food and lodging, stating that barrack accommodation is provided for all transferred personnel, and that Cabinet had recently approved a monthly food and accommodation allowance of Rs. 25,200 (Rs. 28,200 for senior grades). He affirmed that employment, salaries, pensions, and all other benefits are guaranteed for seconded officers, and noted that the basic salary had been increased from Rs. 27,680 to Rs. 41,985 in 2025, with a further Rs. 3,500 rise in the current year.
Hon. Presiding Member, the debate has highlighted several issues faced by personnel of the Civil Defence Department. The Department has 30,025 employees who have rendered special service in the past and present. They have supported Police and Armed Forces and, in recent years, were deployed in various projects, including agriculture, generating about Rs. 2,000 million in 2025. However, despite a workforce exceeding 30,000, we found they were not being utilised optimally for their mandate. We therefore decided to assign them to dignified, structured roles with proper pay scales, on par with other State services, ensuring job security.
First, the Department of Wildlife Conservation required 5,000 personnel; we are fully seconding that number. Already 4,500 have been seconded; a further 500 will be seconded tomorrow to complete 5,000. Wildlife, in consultation with Treasury, is assigning appropriate grades and will provide necessary training. Many of these officers have long assisted Wildlife in mitigating the human–elephant conflict; this formalises that role.
Second, the Police Department faces a human resource gap. From the 30,000, we will second 10,000 to the Police. This ensures productive deployment and secures their future. I emphasise: their employment, salaries, pensions and other benefits are guaranteed.
It was said that those already seconded lack food and lodging. I reject that. About 4,000 have been seconded to the Police so far. Because CSD recruitment was concentrated in districts like Monaragala, Ampara, Anuradhapura and Kurunegala, some station transfers to the Western and Southern Provinces were necessary. In every case, barrack accommodation is provided, and, as with police officers, a food and accommodation allowance is paid. Three weeks ago, Cabinet approved an allowance of Rs. 25,200 per month (Rs. 28,200 for senior grades). Funds have been allocated. If any payment has not yet begun, we will ensure prompt disbursement. No CSD officer is transferred without arrangements for accommodation, rations and preservation of all benefits, including pension.
When we assumed office, the basic salary was Rs. 27,680. In 2025 we raised it to Rs. 41,985; this year there was a further increase of Rs. 3,500. We will continue to treat them as dignified State employees and deploy their labour accordingly, under the relevant Cabinet decisions.