State Defence Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon announced that the Sri Lankan government has decided to extend the same benefits given to war-time army personnel to the Civil Defence Force (CDF). This decision comes ahead of the upcoming Presidential polls, with the election date expected to be declared after July 17.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, also the country’s Defence Minister, is anticipated to contest the election under an independent common coalition, backed by most parties in the current government. Analysts highlight the significance of garnering support from both currently serving military and retired armed forces for political leaders aiming to secure the presidency.
The move to extend benefits to the CDF follows a proposal in 2023 by the Wickremesinghe government for an early retirement scheme due to the high cost of maintaining the force amidst limited duties. The decision aims to provide wages and payments to CDF personnel beyond 55 years, extending support to the families of those who died during the war and those disabled, as well as addressing economic challenges faced by retirees.
Tennakoon emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing the needs of CDF members, highlighting the importance of ensuring equitable benefits for all service personnel. Plans to submit a cabinet paper for approval further demonstrate efforts to rectify the disparity in benefits between different branches of the armed forces.