Reflecting deep sense of thoughtfulness, goodwill, sensitivities and harmonious existence, both Sri Jayawardenepura University Students and Staff as well as Army troops, serving the 22 Division of the Security Force Headquarters-East on Sunday (13), accomplished the national obligation of constructing a new spacious three-bed room house to the family of slain teenager, Rizana Nafeeq who flew to Saudi Arabia to get that dream fulfilled before her tragic fate on January 9, 2013.
Born on 4th February 1988 to a family of two sisters and one brother, Rizana Nafeeq, just 17 years of age, left for Saudi Arabia in search of lusher pastures after a fraudulent job agent tricked her for travel by altering her real age, but her dreams abruptly ended in smoke within 18 days of landing when her Saudi householder's infant, faced an unfortunate death while being fed in Rizana's arms. She remained imprisoned nearly 8 years before she was executed in public. Her inhuman execution which sent shock waves among all Sri Lankans, irrespective of ethnic concerns, evoked anger and drew a myriad of criticisms and concerns, particularly as regards the modus operandi of certain mushrooming job agents.
However, Sri Jayawardenepura University (SJU) academic staff, headed by its Vice Chancellor under the aegis of Ven Dr Medagoda Abhayatissa Nayake Thero, himself an SJU senior lecturer, touched by the pathetic plight of Rizana's family in Mutur, Trincomalee, resolved to put up a new house for the family in consultation with local authorities and Army troops, who are already engaged in mega development projects in the area, back in early January 2013.
Those members of the academic staff and students, coordinated by Dr A.K Uthumange, Head of Department, Business Economy, Dr N. L. M Karunaratne, Vice Chancellor, SJU and Ven. Dr Abhayatissa Nayake Thera, established a "Rizana Fund" and succeeded in collecting about Rs 1 million for the construction project.
Sri Lanka Army Engineers of the Engineer Service Regiment (ESR) and East-based Army troops when approached by the sponsors for technical assistance, offered their expertise and labour for the entire construction gratis since the sponsors found that masonry would alone cost more than what they have already raised as funds for the project.
Dependent on sponsors' staggered supplies, Army troops offering their generous labour, finalized the project, having built all sections, including 3 bedrooms, dining hall, kitchen and a bathroom as planned with the assistance of local authorities who earlier generously provided a land block for the noble purpose.
As D-day for Rizana's family was set to dawn, her mother, Mrs Rafeena and the deceased's father, Mr Sultan Nafeeq, a woodcutter, together with the Grama Niladhari, Divisional Secretary, District Secretary, and finally with the concurrence of the sponsors of the project, requested the Army to declare open the project, since the family was impressed with their commitment to the cause.
On Sunday (13), amid welcome ceremonies, observances of all denominations, plaque unveiling, ribbon-cutting, oil lamp lighting and before a gathering of Maulavis of Ulama Sabha, villagers, civilians, state officials, sponsors, well-wishers and relatives of the affected family, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest, in the company of SJU Vice Chancellor and SJU Coordinators, vested the new house in the hands of Rizana's family.
A brief meeting that followed the house-warming ceremony was addressed by Ven Abhayatissa Nayake Thera, Commander of the Army, SJU Vice Chancellor, Security Force Commander-East, General Officer Commanding-22 Division and the vote of thanks was proposed by the father of Rizana who burst into tears as he refreshed the memories of her beloved daughter.
Born on 4th February 1988 to a family of two sisters and one brother, Rizana Nafeeq, just 17 years of age, left for Saudi Arabia in search of lusher pastures after a fraudulent job agent tricked her for travel by altering her real age, but her dreams abruptly ended in smoke within 18 days of landing when her Saudi householder's infant, faced an unfortunate death while being fed in Rizana's arms. She remained imprisoned nearly 8 years before she was executed in public. Her inhuman execution which sent shock waves among all Sri Lankans, irrespective of ethnic concerns, evoked anger and drew a myriad of criticisms and concerns, particularly as regards the modus operandi of certain mushrooming job agents.
However, Sri Jayawardenepura University (SJU) academic staff, headed by its Vice Chancellor under the aegis of Ven Dr Medagoda Abhayatissa Nayake Thero, himself an SJU senior lecturer, touched by the pathetic plight of Rizana's family in Mutur, Trincomalee, resolved to put up a new house for the family in consultation with local authorities and Army troops, who are already engaged in mega development projects in the area, back in early January 2013.
Those members of the academic staff and students, coordinated by Dr A.K Uthumange, Head of Department, Business Economy, Dr N. L. M Karunaratne, Vice Chancellor, SJU and Ven. Dr Abhayatissa Nayake Thera, established a "Rizana Fund" and succeeded in collecting about Rs 1 million for the construction project.
Sri Lanka Army Engineers of the Engineer Service Regiment (ESR) and East-based Army troops when approached by the sponsors for technical assistance, offered their expertise and labour for the entire construction gratis since the sponsors found that masonry would alone cost more than what they have already raised as funds for the project.
Dependent on sponsors' staggered supplies, Army troops offering their generous labour, finalized the project, having built all sections, including 3 bedrooms, dining hall, kitchen and a bathroom as planned with the assistance of local authorities who earlier generously provided a land block for the noble purpose.
As D-day for Rizana's family was set to dawn, her mother, Mrs Rafeena and the deceased's father, Mr Sultan Nafeeq, a woodcutter, together with the Grama Niladhari, Divisional Secretary, District Secretary, and finally with the concurrence of the sponsors of the project, requested the Army to declare open the project, since the family was impressed with their commitment to the cause.
On Sunday (13), amid welcome ceremonies, observances of all denominations, plaque unveiling, ribbon-cutting, oil lamp lighting and before a gathering of Maulavis of Ulama Sabha, villagers, civilians, state officials, sponsors, well-wishers and relatives of the affected family, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest, in the company of SJU Vice Chancellor and SJU Coordinators, vested the new house in the hands of Rizana's family.
A brief meeting that followed the house-warming ceremony was addressed by Ven Abhayatissa Nayake Thera, Commander of the Army, SJU Vice Chancellor, Security Force Commander-East, General Officer Commanding-22 Division and the vote of thanks was proposed by the father of Rizana who burst into tears as he refreshed the memories of her beloved daughter.
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