The maiden sanatorium-type wellness resort, ‘Abimansala’ for dependent War Heroes, which saw its birth on the banks of Nuwara Wewa at Anuradhapura as a conceptual notion of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, marks its first anniversary on Thursday (26).

President Rajapaksa in his ‘Mahinda Chintanaya’ manifesto was distinctly articulate on his government’s role for disabled people and how care should be provided to them. This refreshingly novel concept of the President himself, envisaged establishing separate protective homes (Rekawarana Niwasa) for all differently able persons while promoting well-being of those people throughout their life span (Mahinda Chintanaya page 16). This preconceived notion, no doubt would have fathomed out well in advance what would be the repercussions of the successful completion of the humanitarian operations. This visionary concept of the President, applicable to the disable War Heroes too, was made a reality by constructing the first-ever state of the art wellness resort for 52 dependent Army War Heroes of the North Central Province, exactly a year ago in Anuradhapura with the able guidance of Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development and directions of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya who brought the project to fruition with the unfailing support of the ‘Brave Hearts’ fund-raiser, spearheaded by the ladies of the Seva Vanitha Army Branch.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s sustained concern and interest in welfare of disabled servicemen in the aftermath of the war continued to remain a beacon of hope to all 297 dependent War Heroes, scattered across the country, but without proper therapeutic care and domestic facilities. The birth of Attidiya ‘Mihindu Seth Medura’, now fully functional with 50 more dependent War Heroes as well as the ‘Abimansala - 2’ currently fast nearing completion at Wilpitawatta, Kamburupitiya, needless to reiterate, has brought a sigh of relief to those physically handicapped servicemen who had selflessly sacrificed their legs and limbs to make a better tomorrow for all of us, Sri Lankans.

Specially designed wellness resorts of this nature provide these valiant men of our contemporary history with much-needed hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, gymnasiums, medical laboratories, swimming pools, 24 hour medical attention, entertainment and library facilities, herbal treatment centres, auditoriums, stadiums, etc which are not easily found in their respective residential areas. This unique feat, on the other hand serves as an inspirational boost to those differently able soldiers who still do not want to be a burden unto themselves or their kith and kin back at home.

At the same time, this lifetime care for them by the very organization, to which they have dedicated their entire life would further bring them close fellowship and goodwill since they would feel that they were still at work as usual. Therefore, a wellness resort for them means an oasis of contentment and well-being. 

By allowing their beloved ones to visit them for a brief stay in the wellness resort with all board and lodging, provided gratis by the Army, those inmates would simultaneously become mentally relieved to a great extent since children, wives, parents and relatives spend the day with them, as organized by the respective sanatorium authorities.

These brethren of our society have done their part on behalf of the country and they do not owe anything to the motherland for the rest of their lives, but it is the society, morally bound to take care of them until their death some day. President Rajapaksa’s government has all the time recognized this valuable and undeniable truth and prioritized welfare measures of those brave men, by way of     erection of houses, provision of special medical care and facilities to both War Heroes and their families, etc.

Army Engineers and all ranks with their manpower, expertise and professional know-how have thrown their full weight behind construction of those welfare centres on the directions, given by the Commander of the Army who has hitherto carried out a multitude of different welfare projects for the benefit of all ranks serving the organization.

The Anuradhapura ‘Abimansala’, geared to commemorate its first anniversary with the participation of its inmates has planned an all-night Pirith chanting ceremony on Thursday (26) night, followed by opening of the new shrine room (Budu Medura) in the premises. Offer of ‘Heel Daana’ (breakfast) to 50 members of the Maha Sangha, the following morning and a special ceremony on Saturday (28), coloured with artistic and musical talents of the inmates culminates the anniversary proceedings. Distribution of gift parcels among the inmates on the same occasion adds a special feature of the anniversary programme.