“Ex-Servicemen’s Job Bank” for constructive 'redeployment' into labour market
An initiative to recruit retired Service personnel into public institutions on contractual basis, commenced this week, with the State Ministry of Defence advertising the establishment of an “Ex-Servicemen’s Job Bank.”
The initiative, first proposed by President Maithripala Sirisena in his capacity as Minister of Defence, was approved by Cabinet in March. It will see the establishment of a database for retired Officers and other ranks from the Tri-Forces. These ex-Service personnel with various skills and qualifications, will be matched with the corresponding vacancies within the Government service for prospective employment.
"This database will facilitate the services of ex-Service personnel for the country’s development," said Senior Assistant Secretary to the State Ministry of Defence, Upul Shantha De Alwis. Mr. De Alwis, who is also the Director of the Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Unit, explained that Commissioned Officers of the TriForces retire at 55 years, while other ranks retire on completing 22 years service. “The majority of Service personnel who retire are in the age group of 42-45, and in good physical and mental condition, capable of taking up many duties,” he pointed out.
It has been further noted that many such ex-Service personnel were engaged in Engineering, Surveying, Medicine, Nursing, Supplementary and Interim Medical Services, Technology and Sports while in the armed forces. As such, they are skilled persons with technical expertise that could be utilised in a variety of areas related to development work.
Accordingly, the State Ministry of Defence has already written to Government ministries, departments and Statutory Boards requesting it be notified of existing vacancies which require technical skills in specific fields. “For example, currently, there is a huge dearth of technical officers in Government service. The Ministry of National Policies & Economic Affairs (coming under the Prime Minister) has already written to us informing of vacancies for 400 technical officers within that ministry alone,” Mr. De Alwis revealed.
In addition to enabling ex-Service personnel to lend their expertise to development projects, the initiative could also enable them to earn better salaries than what they currently may be earning in their present jobs, authorities stressed.
The Government hopes to pitch the project to the private sector later, on similar lines.
When contacted, Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association (SLESA) President, Brigadier G.A. Gnanaweera said, though the Association had not been consulted directly regarding the setting up of such a database, the Defence Ministry had obtained views of individual ex-Service personnel on the matter. “We are supportive of this initiative and hope it will be of great assistance to ex-Servicemen,” he stated.
Applications for the Ex-Servicemen’s Job Bank were published in newspapers on July 5, and can also be downloaded from the State Ministry of Defence website: at www.smod.lk. There is also an online application that can be completed and submitted by going to the website. Additionally, applications can be mailed to: Director, Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Unit, State Ministry of Defence, 15/5, Baladaksha Mawatha, Colombo 3. The title, “Ex-Servicemen’s Job Bank-Officers/ Other Ranks”, should be written on the top left hand corner of the envelope. Applications close on August 1. Call 011-2 430 860-9 or 011-2 430 870-9 for further inquiries.