Amidst Seth Pirith chanting of Maha Sangha and blessings of well-wishers and relatives, the family of one more fallen War Hero from Megoda Kalugamuwa in Kandy accepted the ownership of a new house, built through funds of the Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB) on Wednesday (19).

This is the 18th new house built by the SVAB for the benefit of War Heroes and their families. In addition, 17 more SVAB funded new houses are still under construction.

The SVAB, headed by Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, President, SVAB, has spent more than Rs 2 million for construction of this new house on behalf of the fallen War Hero, Lieutenant B.M Randeniya of 11 Gemunu Watch (GW) Regiment.

Late Lieutenant Randeniya while engaged in civilian rescue operations in Mullaittivu areas as the LTTE threat on fleeing civilians, was aggravating around 9th January 2009 laid his life for the sake of peace. On that fateful day, the War Hero in response to appeals from trapped civilians, went his way out to help them, together with several fellow-Army soldiers but the fate struck him. LTTE terrorists after observing how the public were running behind the troops for salvage, began firing towards the late War Hero indiscriminately. One of those attacks unexpectedly silenced the War Hero in action for ever.             

Late War Hero, a father of a son (12) and a daughter (6) had his own plot of land in Kandy but was without a house of their own. His spouse, Mrs Randeniya during the new house-warming ceremony on Wednesday (19), received the keys from Mrs Jayasuriya, the Chief Guest and expressed her family’s gratitude to the SVAB.

Soon after Wednesday’s formal house-warming, the Chief Guest gave away several gift parcels to the house recipients amidst greetings of SVAB members who were present at the occasion.

This was the 5th house, donated by the SVAB on behalf of Gemunu Watch War Heroes or their family members.

Mrs Chintha Udumalagala, Chairperson, GW Seva Vanitha Unit, Colonel Commandant, GW Regimental Centre, several SVAB members and a gathering of relatives of late War Hero, were present during the house-warming ceremony.