Skilled workforce involved in development projects: MOD Media Centre Spokesman

Thursday, 1 January 2015 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Producing statistical details with regard to the tri-forces involvement in the development process, MOD Media Centre Director/Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said that over 14,000 skilled personnel had been added to the cadre since the conclusion of war who were directly recruited into several professional categories.

He stated that in addition the Army has recruited over 10,000 skilled personnel who are not entitled for uniforms for their day-to-day duties. Over 11,000 civil staff members have also been enrolled for these development duties. In general, over 35,000 persons have been enlisted for the nation building purpose since 2009, he added. Elaborating on their nature of duties he reiterated that the skilled workforce is guided under the supervision of commissioned and non-commissioned officers who have immensely contributed to the humanitarian operation. Except for the management and leadership role, these war heroes of fighting units haven’t been tasked with any other duties in the development projects, he noted. He added that those who are not entitled for military uniforms too are deemed as soldiers. Facilities entitled for an ordinary solider are also facilitated for them, he added. Meanwhile, Civil Administration Officer of the Sri Lanka Army Gamini Mahagamage said that they have been absorbed through professional training and their welfare has also been looked into. As projected in the Budget proposals – 2015 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, over 3,000 civil staff members who work on contract basis are being absorbed into the permanent civil cadre now, he added. The Brigadier noted that the Navy has recruited over 10,000 skilled persons into its cadre for this purpose. These sentiments were expressed in refuting recent allegations about the involvement of security forces personnel in menial duties.