SIXTY-EIGHT sons and daughters of late War Heroes and disable War Heroes on Wednesday (20) received a stimulus for their studies under the fifth phase of the Ranaviru Scholarship Scheme, sponsored by Ministry of Defence (MoD) Seva Vanitha Branch, presided by Mrs Ioma Rajapaksa.     

 The ceremony to award scholarships to those children and interest-free housing loans to the next of kin of War Heroes who made the supreme sacrifice or went missing in action during humanitarian operations in the recent past took place at the MoD auditorium. 

Mr Lalith Weerathunge, Secretary to HE the President graced the occasion as Chief Guest on the invitation of the MoD. The scheme saw its birth, following guidelines given by Secretary Defence Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa.         

During the ceremony, sixty-eight children received scholarships, varying fom Rs. 20,000/=, Rs. 30,000/= and Rs. 50,000/= in value, depending on the quantum of assistance needed for their education. Similarly, twenty-nine disable War Heroes and family members of fallen War Heroes on the same occasion accepted cheques for interest-free housing loans from the Chief Guest. Each member was to receive Rs. 300,000/= in full as a loan, payable in four installments.

Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, President Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB) representing the Army attended the occasion. Seva Vanitha Presidents in Navy, Air Force and Police, senior MoD officials, parents and spouses of War Heroes also took part in the ceremony.