Recalling that during the last presidential election the former president brought 15,000 of Civil Security personnel to attend his first election rally in Anuradhapura, the President said he is aware that their services have recently been used by those in power for political activities.

The President was speaking at a ceremony held at the sports ground of the Medirigiriya National School to hand over letters of appointment to officials from the Civil Security Department.

The members of the 40,000-strong Civil Security Force received permanent appointments with pensions from the President yesterday.

From yesterday, the Civil Security Force officials will be provided pensions and will be entitled to promotions in the state service.

The President reminded the Civil Security Force members that they now have become permanent government employees and thus have no right to take part in political activities and it is against the rule of law and unethical for them to engage in such activities.

President Sirisena stressed that the Civil Security Department should be free from the influence of any political party and promised to ensure that no political party or politician, their supporters or benefactors will utilize the service.