Private security agencies important for public security, says Defence Secretary
View(s):The 11th Annual General Meeting of SLASSPA (Sri Lanka Security Service Provider Association), under the theme “Thinking beyond Borders” was held recently in Colombo under the patronage of Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Secretary, Ministry of Defence.Delivering the welcome address, Major Tissa Aluwihare, President of SLASSPA, said that the presence of Mr. Hettiarachchi was a great boost for the entire industry and a motivating thought for all stakeholders in the quest to uplift the industry.
In a media release by the association, he was quoted as saying that the industry is faced with some major challenges such as the severe shortage of manpower, ruthless price undercutting, non-compliance of certain companies – for example, by not paying even the stipulated minimum wages to hard-working guards, by not paying EPF/ETF and by letting guards work in in-humane working conditions.
“Four years ago, SLASSPA realized that the problem was so deep rooted, that it had to create awareness and shift thinking of a whole industry with 100,000 security personnel along with over 300 entrepreneurs plus other stakeholders and the governing authorities. A paradigm shift in mindsets was needed. This is when the SLASSPA Secretariat initiated the journey to bring about this change,” he said.
Mr. Hettiarachchi in his comments said that commercial security is an important auxiliary arm of the security machinery in the country and augments resources of the law and order establishment as part of the national security grid.He emphasised that this is a very important role to play as the Police alone cannot be present at all times; hence the security guard becomes part of their ‘eyes and ears’ on ground and can assist in the protection of life and property of the public.”