Retired military personnel from Sri Lanka’s armed forces are to be hired to various roles in the government and semi-government sector due to a shortage of suitable candidates, stated Sri Lanka Defence Secretary.
“As a solution to the lack of technically and professionally skilled persons in the government field the Ministry of Defence has decided to launch this project on the advice of President Sirisena,” said Karunasena Hettiarachchi.
Mr Sirisena had already ordered the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence to maintain a database of all retired military personnel, so that public institutions could offer them contracts.
“We have observed that many of these officers who engage in Engineering, Surveying, Medical service, Nursing, Supplementary and Interim Medical Services, Technology and Sports retire at the age of 42-45 years but are eligible to perform their duties with their good physical and mental conditions,” added Mr Hettiarachchi.
Sri Lanka's retired military personnel already receive a host of benefits from the state, whilst some senior commanders have gone on to become diplomats at posting across the world.
See our earlier post: Retired Sri Lankan military commanders to be given public contracts (03 Apr 2016)