The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) today formally called upon professionals from both the public and private sectors to join their volunteer reserve, as they announced the re-enlistment of professionals into the volunteer reserve.

Speaking at a media briefing held to announce the re-enlistment of professionals into the SLA volunteer reserve, Military Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said professionals representing all fields including engineers, lawyers, accountants, planters, surveyors, hospitality management, event management etc were welcome to join the volunteer reserve.

“During the conflict period, almost all members of the volunteer reserve were absorbed into the general corps. Therefore, the enlistments into the volunteer reserve were momentarily halted. However, we decided it is now time to revive the prestigious volunteer service while also offering a chance for the professionals to render their services to the country through the Army,” he said.

Unlike the General Service Corps, those enlisting with the volunteer service can be between 18 – 55 years of age, bearing a professional or technical qualification in the respective fields they represent.
“Once they enlist, the ranks that should be awarded to them will only be decided by a panel of interviewers,” Brigadier Wanigasooriya said, while adding that those who enlist would receive benefits such as medical and welfare facilities, insurance facilities as well as salaries and other benefits applicable to the relevant rank awarded to each professional.

“Once we enlist a professional we will be taking steps to contact their employers and obtain their approval for the relevant employee to join the volunteer reserve so that if and when necessary, obtaining leave etc would be convenient,” he added.

Those selected to join the volunteer reserve are due to be given three to four weeks training at the Diyatalawa Military Academy consisting of an introduction on the Army, the uniforms and the code of conduct. Thereafter, refresher courses and seminars were also scheduled to be held for those enlisted for the volunteer reserve.

“Those who participate in the training process would be given a thorough medical check-up prior to the training programme and would be made to follow training which would be age appropriate,” the Brigadier said.

As part of the initial batch of the re-enlistment process, some 300 officers and 900 officials for other ranks were due to be enlisted prior to March 31. “The details on the application process and deadlines will be publicized through media advertisements,” he said.
 
Meanwhile, Dr. Sudath Damsinghe from the Jayawardenepura Hospital and Training Co-ordinator and Team Leader of the NHSL Accident Service Pushpa Ramyani de Soysa who had been invited to join the volunteer reserve to mark the re-enlistment of professionals into the unit, were also present at the media briefing and expressed their pleasure at being given the opportunity to be part of the service. (Lakna Paranamanna)