This document discusses the effective employment of Civil Security Department (CSD) personnel in Sri Lanka. It provides background on how CSD was established and its role in eradicating the conflict with LTTE. CSD personnel are now deployed across the country providing security and contributing to development projects. The researcher examines how CSD personnel can be utilized as a workforce to develop the Eastern Province through various economic projects. Objectives of the study include identifying CSD's evolving roles, economic projects in Eastern Province, and how to structure the organization effectively for future tasks and development contributions. Examples from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh on utilizing paramilitary forces for development are also discussed.

1. Proceedings of 8th
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Effective Employment of Civil Security Department Personnel in Sri Lanka
NC Karunarathne
Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka
nck66289@yahoo.com
Abstract— Sri Lanka armed forces successfully eradicated
the decades lasting conflict between Government forces
and Liberation Tamil Tigers of Elam (LTTE) on May of
2009. The role played by the Civil Security Department
(CSD) was immense and one of the major factors for the
success of armed forces. Since then CSD personnel are
deployed in various parts of the country and are
performing their duties in terms of providing security for
government installations and also as a workforce for
numerous projects carried out under the supervision of
Ministry of Defence (MOD). For instance CSD can be
treated as a massive workforce which has numerous
resources and capabilities. Hence it can be utilized
effectively for the development of country. At present CSD
is carrying out several projects leads to earn money
thereby contribute towards country’s development. They
also are conducting some primary and preschools,
providing teachers for schools on volunteer base, assist
the Department of Archaeology on restoring
archaeological sites and functioning some garment
factories and blacksmith workshops. Even though CSD
was formed as a Paramilitary Force (PMF) it is now can be
considered as a massive workforce or a taskforce which
can employ for the development of country. In view of
above researcher is going to examine how best those
personnel from CSD can employ in the Eastern Province of
Sri Lanka in order to assist government’s developing
programmes. The primary role of Civil Security
Department personnel was to protect the civilians of
threatened/ boarder villages. They have successfully
carried out this task over the years. Most of the CSD
personnel are also from boarder villages. Hence most of
them have performed their duties within the area of their
own villages. After end of the conflict at present CSD
personnel are employed in various duties. Some of them
are still performing their primary role even though there
is no any boarder/threatened villages in present scenario.
Most of CSD personnel are engaged with many projects
that can earn profit in order to contribute the national
economy. In view of present context researcher will
examine how best those personnel can utilize as a work
force and how to employ them effectively in order to
develop the Eastern Province.
Keywords— CSD, Employ, Development
I. INTRODUCTION
National security of a country would be the paramount
duty of any government under the sun. As it is an
important element in a sovereign state, almost all the
countries have place utmost concern on their national
security. In the present context, as security and its
related features are dynamic, it is obvious that a country
would treat national security as the first priority. For that
matter countries around the world have maintained
many types of forces including army, navy and air force.
Paramilitary forces were extensively used to fill the troop
requirements in World War II. Even after the World War
II up to date many countries are maintaining a large force
of paramilitary in order to meet the security
requirements. Having engaged in a three decade long
conflict with terrorist groups, Sri Lanka at present enjoys
favourable conditions in national security. In the initial
stage of the conflict Sri Lankan government had to deploy
its armed forces all over the Jaffna peninsula. As conflict
was gradually escalating, government had to expand the
capacity of armed forces.
In order to meet that requirement National Home Guard
Service was established as a Voluntary Service in the mid
1980's to protect the border/ endangered villages. At the
inception they got one month of military training and
were issued with shot guns and brown coloured
uniforms. They were not paid by the government as it
was a volunteer service. However some rations were
issued through co-operative outlets. Subsequently, they
were paid a daily allowance and placed under the Police
Department. Training was provided at Kumbuka camp,
Horana. After the brief training, they were directly
deployed in Northern and Eastern provinces, particularly
at border & endangered villages. Their primary role was
to guard those villages in order to release armed forces
to concentrate heavily on counter insurgency activities.
His Excellency the President Mr.MahindaRajapakse by
gazette notification No. 1462/20 dated 13th September
2006 re-structured the whole Home Guard Service and
established the Civil Security Department (CSD). Numbers
employed increased to 41,500 and one month of military
training was introduced. Furthermore, two types of
uniforms similar to military uniforms were issued. A
reasonable salary was paid for the employees. A military
officer (Rear Admiral Rank) was appointed as the Director
General of the Civil Security Department. The first

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Director General thus appointed was Rear Admiral
Dr.Sarath Weerasekare. The Director General at present
is Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris. Approximately 69 officers
from the Armed Services and Police were attached to
ensure a smooth administration.
Sri Lankan armed forces successfully eradicated the
decades long conflict between Government forces and
Liberation Tamil Tigers of Elam (LTTE) in May of 2009.
The role played by the CSD was immense and was one of
the contributing factors for the success of armed forces.
Since then CSD personnel are deployed in various parts of
the country and are performing their duties in terms of
providing security for government installations and also
as a workforce for numerous projects carried out under
the supervision of Ministry of Defence (MOD). For
instance, CSD can be treated as a massive workforce
which has numerous skills & substantial resources. Hence
these can be utilized effectively for the development of
the country. At present CSD is carrying out several
projects, continues to earn money, thereby contributing
towards country’s development. They also are
conducting some primary and pre-schools, providing
teachers for schools on volunteer basis, assisting the
Department of Archaeology in restoring/ safeguarding
archaeological sites and operating some garment
factories and blacksmith workshops.
The primary role of Civil Security Department personnel
was to protect the civilians of endangered/ border
villages. They have successfully carried out this task over
the years. Most of the CSD personnel are also originating
from boarder villages. Hence most of them have
performed their duties within close proximity of their
own villages. After end of the conflict, at present CSD
personnel are employed in various duties. Some of them
are still performing their primary role even though there
are no border/endangered villages in present scenario.
Most of CSD personnel are engaged in many projects that
could earn profits in order to contribute to the state
coffers. In view of present context researcher will
examine how best these personnel can be utilized as a
work force and how to employ them effectively in order
to develop the Eastern Province.
II. OBJECTIVES
The primary purpose of this research is to examine,
whether the Civil Security Department personnel are
employed effectively to contribute towards the
development of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka?
However, other specific objectives of this study are:
a. To identify evolving roles, and tasks of the Civil
Security Department personnel in post conflict Sri Lanka.
b. To identify what the economic development
projects carried out by CSD in Eastern Province are.
c. To obtain feedback and inputs from CSD
personnel who are presently engaged with various profit
earning projects.
d. To evolve a new structure of organization in
order to perform their future tasks effectively.
e. To identify what the available schemes are, to
turn this massive work force to an organisation which
contributes meaningfully to the development of national
economy.
III. DISCUSSION
Development can be defined as the process of economic
and social transformation that is based
on complex cultural and environmental factors and their
interactions. Many governments in the world have
utilized military or paramilitary forces in the development
process. Researcher in this chapter shall examine policies
of GoSL to employ CSD effectively on developing Eastern
province and also how other countries employ their PMF
as per their intentions. In order to discuss the subject the
following countries are taken in to consideration.
Lieutenant Colonel MD Sherma has defined paramilitary
forces in his book “Paramilitary Forces of India” as
“paramilitary forces are whose purpose and functions are
like those of professional military forces, but which are
not regarded as having the same status”. Further he
elaborates, in India paramilitary forces are those
government organizations that help military forces, help
in disaster management and control civil agitations.
Paramilitary forces of India employed are under various
ministries to perform numerous tasks. Some of them are
Central Industry Security, performing border guard duties
and providing Railway security.
Pakistan has established PMF to provide security for
country. Unlike India Pakistan is totally concerned on
security. Their primary role is to safeguard the country
from any external or internal threat. Current strength of
Pakistan PMF is more than 430,000 personnel.
Bangladesh is also maintaining PMF to meet the various
emergencies in the country. They also have forces such as
Border guards, Village Defence Party and Ansar Force.
The main tasks of those forces are:
a. Reinforcement to the police.
b. Provide security for installations.
c. Conduct of national duties
Having examined the role of PMF in three neighbouring
countries, the researcher identified that only India has
deployed her PMF on non-military tasks. Pakistan and
Bangladesh have deployed their PMF totally for providing

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security. Since its inception Sri Lanka also employed
Home Guards (Present CSD) on various non-military tasks
such as Disaster relief operations, running agricultural
farms in smaller scale, voluntarily work at hospitals and
schools and to assist government on several construction
projects. However Home guards could not continue
those tasks due to their heavy commitment to their
primary role. Since the conflict has come to an end, GoSL
has to examine new policies on tasking and employing of
CSD. At present CSD is carrying out various profit making
projects in several fields in order to contribute the
development of country.
Sri Lankan Coast Guard also can be treated as a PMF
which was established in year 2012. After eradication of
terrorism which prevailed for two decades in Sri Lanka,
HE the President MahindaRajapaksa being the Minister of
Defence presented a cabinet paper with regard to the
establishment of Department of Sri Lanka Coast Guard.
Coast Guard Act No. 41 of 2009 was enacted by the
parliament on 09th
July 2009 and formed the present Sri
Lanka Coast Guard. Their responsibilities and functions
are:
a. Law enforcement, in the coastal areas, the
territorial waters, and the maritime zones of Sri Lanka,
and high seas.
b. Prevention of illegal fishing in the coastal areas
of Sri Lanka and the protection of fishermen including
rendering assistance at sea.
c. Providing assistance to the Customs and other
relevant authorities in counter smuggling operations and
border management.
d. Prevention of illegal human trafficking.
e. Prevention of piracy.
f. Cooperating with the law enforcement agencies
and armed forces by taking necessary measures for the
suppression of destructive terrorist activities occurring in
the maritime zones and the territorial waters of Sri Lanka.
g. Prevention of trans-boundary movement of
narcotics by sea.
h. Rendering of necessary assistance to the
relevant authorities in ensuring safety of life and property
at sea.
i. Participating in search and rescue operations at
times of natural catastrophes and providing assistance in
salvage operations in relation to vessels and other goods
after such calamities and other accidents at sea.
j. Rendering of necessary assistance in the
preservation and protection of maritime and marine
environment.
k. Rendering of necessary assistance to the
relevant authorities in the implementation and
monitoring of measures required for the prevention and
control of marine pollution and other disasters which
occur at sea.
l. Rendering assistance in the conservation of
marine species.
m. Dissemination of information including warnings
by radio or any other means in time of natural
catastrophes.
n. Providing security to maritime transportation
and rendering assistance to ensure navigational safety.
o. Performance of such other functions as may
from time to time be conferred on or assigned to by the
government.13
Keith E Bonn and Anthony E Baker argued in their book
“Guide to Military Operations Other Than War” that
military support to Civil Authorities is generally
undertaken when an emergency overstretches the
capabilities of the civil authorities. According to the
authors there can be various tasks that military can
perform such as temporary augmentation of postal
workers and government clerks , provision of relief
aftermath of natural disaster and special support to local
authorities on developing projects.14
Researcher also
agreed with these authors on employing the military.
Instead of military in Sri Lankan scenario, the researcher
observed CSD being employed on those tasks in Eastern
province whenever the requirement arises. In the same
book authors argued for effective employment of any
organization, core values of the particular organization
are playing a vital role. Core values are the fundamental
beliefs of a person or organization. The core values are
the guiding principles that dictate behavior and action.
Core values can help people to know what is right from
wrong; they can help organizations to determine whether
they are on the right path and fulfilling their goals; and
they create an unwavering and unchanging guide. There
are many different types of core values and many
different examples of core values depending upon the
context. Hence CSD also should identify their core values
when they are being employed to perform specific tasks.
Researcher identified the under mentioned core values
to inculcate among CSD personnel in order to produce a
meaningful outcome:
a. Identify personal relationships.
b. Guide processes of particular task and outcome.
c. Clarify who they are.
d Underpin the whole organization.
e Guide them on decision making.
f. Creating an environment conducive to job
satisfaction as well as finding work which is exciting and
challenging.

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0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Farming projects Employee in
Government
Institutes
Construction
projects
Fishing activities Other
Core values mentioned above are directly enhancing the
productivity through Teamwork, Honesty, Excellence,
Commitment, Professionalism and Personal
Development. Hence these will affect directly, once CSD
personnel are employed for a specific task on their
outcome.
Presently CSD is engaged with under mentioned
development activities all over the country:
a. Agricultural projects.
b. Manufacturing of bricks.
c. Poultry farming
d. Assisting the Department of Archaeology in
restoring the archaeological sites.
e. Development of roads and towns.
f. Conducting of Primary Schools/ Pre -Schools.
g. Training of private security personnel.
h. Operating of Garment Factories and Blacksmiths
workshops.
i. Providing security to government institutes such
as Banks, courts of Law and in wild life conservation etc.
j. Special tasks assigned by the Ministry of Defence
as the needs arise.
Figure 1: Projects that are carrying out by CSD
Table 1: Projects carried out by CSD in Eastern Province in year 2014
Area Agricultural
projects
Farming projects Fishing projects Bricks projects Other (Black
smith, clothing
etc)
Kanthale 72 6 16 34 19
Ampara 144 19 13 6 48
Uhana 48 17 21 8 32
Mahaoya 134 - - 23 -
Seruwila 142 9 - 16 18

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IV. RECOMMENDATIONS
The survey and interview clearly indicated a concerted
belief amongst members of the CSD that training is
essential to perform their tasks effectively. The research
findings indicate that, training provided for CSD members
is insufficient to perform their task effectively. Moreover
there should be a scheme to develop their morale, values,
attitudes if the organisation wants to achieve optimum
results in time to come. In the light of the research
findings following recommendations are drawn to employ
CSD personnel effectively to develop the economy of
nation:
a. Since most of the members have identified the
importance of their roles and functions to develop the
nation, in order to exploit such conditions more projects
should be carried out by the department. As the labour
turnover is less and time taken to fulfil a task is fewer
departments can afford for more number of projects.
b. Since a considerable number of retired members
are self-employed as small scale entrepreneurs, some of
the projects can be handed over to them in order to
complete maximum number of projects within a specified
time period. That would facilitate not only the
department but also those retired members and civil
people serve under them too would benefit.
c. If there would be criteria to recruit professionals
in various fields who could be directly employed in the
projects, cost for the training can be reduced. Those
professionals can be employed as project supervisors and
they are the suitable persons to lead particular teams.
d. There should be a proper criteria to grant
members required promotions at the right time.
Researcher identifies the necessity of a new rank system
into which members should be included. That would
increase their morale and will build up confidence upon
the organisation.
e. There is no any proper prosecution system to
deal with absentees. Since there are many avenues
opened to members after serving for sometime in the
department, they tend to get absent. In order to prevent
this, a proper disciplinary code should be introduced.
f. Since a considerable amount of members serve
as teachers in coordination with Education ministry, a
proper training should be given to them. Researcher
suggests that these teachers should undergo their training
at national education colleges and should be awarded a
diploma by the national institute of education
V. CONCLUSION
Even though CSD is a paramilitary force, at present it is
mostly carrying out the development tasks assigned by
Ministry of Defence. However stilla considerable amount
of troops are engaged with security matters. In order to
utilize this massive workforce meaningfully government
ha assigned them various development projects covering
the entire country. Hence CSD can no longer be treated
as an auxiliary force which is totally engaged in security
matters.
Since the government requires massive amount of
manpower to rebuild war-torn towns & villages in
Northern and Eastern Provinces, CSD could be utilised to
rebuild those cities and to maintain the infrastructure
facilities. At present CSD provides their manpower and
other resources for development projects carried out by
Ministry of Defence in Colombo district.
Most of the CSD projects are making profits. Therefore it
is evident that those projects are contributing to develop
the economy of the country. Hence those projects could
increase the GDP of the Sri Lanka too. By properly
managing and supervising of this massive force, GoSL
could utilize it to develop the nation and to achieve its
vision -“Wonder of Asia”- in time to come.
REFERENCES
MD Sherma Paramilitary Forces of India Delhi, Kalpaz
Publication 2008 p16.
Keith E Bonn and Anthony E Baker Guide to Military
Operations Other Than War Mechanicsburg, Stockpiles
Books p 32.
Don Wicker Job Satisfaction- Faction or Fiction
Bloomington Authors House 2011 p 3.
CSD Annual report year 2011
CSD Annual report year 2012
CSD Annual report year 2013
CSD Annual report year 2014
Discussion with SP SADMP Gunasekara, Director
(Personnel Administration) in CSD.
Discussion with Colonel KTSS Gunawardane RSP IG
Director, (Training) in CSD.
Discussion with Mr Tikiri Dissanayake, CSD member in
Kanthale Force
Discussion with Mr Ananda Premasiri, retired CSD
member from Seruvila Force, Rear Admiral Ananda
Peris RSP VSV USP ndc psc DISS, Director General, CSD.
Discussion with Mr Nalaka Jayatissa Poultry farm owner
from Seruvila, Mr Riaz Farook a Grama Niladhari Kallar.

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www.csd.lk accessed on 22 February 2015.
www.businessdiary.com accessed on 02 March 2015.
www.wikipedia.org/paramilitary force of India.
Accessed on 24 April 2015.
www.bsf.in accessed on 26 April 2015.
www.wikipedia.org/paramilitary force of Pakistan.
Accessed on 28 April 2015.
www.wikipedia.org/paramilitary force of Bangladesh.
Accessed on 28 April 2015.
www.slng.lk accessed on 12 May 2015.
www.coastguard.gov.lk accessed on 13 May 2015.
www.everydaylife.globalpost.com accessed on 29 June
2014
BIOGRAPHY OF AUTHOR
Maj NC Karunarathne to Sri Lanka army
as an Officer Cadet in year 2004 and
trained at General Sir John Kotelawala
Defence University and Sri Lanka Military
Academy. Presently he serve as a Troop
Commander of the Faculty of Defence
and Strategic Studies at the General Sir John Kotelawala
Defence University Sri Lanka. I passed Defence Services
Command and Staff College in year 2014 and obtained my
Masters on Defence and Strategic Studies from General
Sir John Kotelawala Defence University in year 2015.