Defence Ministry to regulate private security agencies

• Says minimum wage for security guards will be introduced soon

The Defence Ministry will regulate private security services by introducing minimum wage for security guards, registration of new security firms, and renewal of licences. 

Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne said plans were drawn to regularise private security services that operate island-wide to provide quality security services.  He said measures would be taken to streamline registration and licence renewal processes of security service providers by formulating an expedited procedure. 

Maj. Gen. Gunaratne said the contribution by the private security services to the Employees’ Provident Fund and the Employees’ Trust Fund would be strictly supervised under the new renewal process. 

Addressing members of the Sri Lanka Security Service Providers Association (SLSSPA) on Tuesday, he stressed the necessity of issuing internationally recognised licences for their employees.

He informed the SLSSPA about the opportunity available to introduce a standardised training facility in consultation of Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd. in areas covering firefighting, first aid, security, emergency situation-handling, and disaster evacuation, etc.

Rakna Arakshaka Lanka is a Government-owned business which undertakes the security needs of the commercial sector.

While highlighting the prevailing wage rate, the Defence Secretary requested the private security service agencies to pay fair salaries to their employees according to their contribution and the country’s cost of living.

Maj. Gen. Gunaratne, appreciating the services provided by the private sector security services, said they played a commendable role during the battle while extending their services to the required entities.

Highlighting the status of services, he requested the SLSSPA not to consider the valued service as a commercial venture but as a part of national security.

“There is no progress in the country’s development in the absence of national security, and the needs of the military were overlooked during the previous administration,” he said.

Senior Assistant Secretary (Defence) Prasanna Kiriwaththuduwa, Senior Assistant Secretary (Civil Security) Priyantha Sumanasekara, and Assistant Secretary (Civil Security) Shimali Dissanayake were also present at the occasion.