31st December 2021 22:00:39 Hours
Troops of the 14 Battalion Gemunu Watch under the close supervision of the 613 Brigade and the guidance of the 61 Division of the Security Force HQ-West (SFHQ-West) constructed a new home for a needy family in Wathawana, Imaduwa in collaboration with the MTV/MBC, ‘Sirasa’ Media network through its ‘Sirasa Niwasa’ sponsorship on the directions given by General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army after the project sponsors sought the Army assistance in this regard.
After the miserable plight of poverty-stricken Mr. S P Jaliya Nishshanka's living conditions was brought to the attention of the sponsors, they turned to the Commander of the Army in search of Army manpower and their construction skills for the erection of this much-needed house in order to mitigate the construction costs.
The funds provided by the 'Sirasa Niwasa" Project and skilled technical assistance supplied by the Commander, Security Forces -West, Major General Kithsiri Liyanage enabled the completion of the project as scheduled. The close coordination of the General Officer Commanding, 61 Division, who afterwards guided the 14 Battalion Gemunu Watch troops to undertake the task to construct this house.
Major General Swarna Bothota, General Officer Commanding of 61 Division graced the auspicious inaugural house-warming as the Chief Guest on behalf of the Commander, Security Forces-West, together with Mrs Needra Weerasinghe, Group Director of Electronic Media at the Capital Maharaja Organization, representing the 'Sirasa Niwasa' programme on Wednesday (29).
The day's chief guest and sponsors unveiled a plaque at the auspicious time and joined oil-lamp lighting rituals with the beneficiaries in accordance with ancient traditions. Similarly, the chief guest and participants presented several household gifts to the beneficiaries as incentives.
The day's event was attended by the Director PR of Sirasa Media Network Mr. Priyantha Wijesinghe, Chanel Head of Sirasa FM Mr. Sajith Rathnayake, Project Officer of the SFHQ -West, Brigadier Thushan Ganepola, Commander, 613 Brigade Brigadier Upul Kodithuwakku, Commanding Officer of 14 (v) Gemunu Watch, Senior Officers of the 61 Division and 613 Brigade, "Sirasa" officials, relatives of the family and well-wishers.
The sponsors since of recent times have been in contact with the Army to seek manpower, technical and engineering support as a measure to cut down the overall cost of the project and also to support the house construction projects that have been spearheaded by the Army to the same effect as per directions of the Army Chief.
