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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

Commander Interacts with Disable War Heroes &;amp; Lauds their Sacrifices

One more group of disable officers and other ranks in the Army were hosted to dinner by Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya Thursday (25) night to coincide with the 61st anniversary of the Army.

The treat, considered a special token of appreciation for numerous sacrifices made by War Heroes at the expense their legs and limbs, is held in the past two years as an annual feature covering all formations across the country where the most number of disables are living. The occasion provides ample opportunities to all top senior officers and disables War Heroes alike to interact with one another and exchange experience in the battlefield and pleasantries. 

Lieutenant General Jayasuriya also ensured that he met each and every disable invitee attending the occasion and exchanging a few thoughts with them. Gracing the occasion as Chief Guest he addressed the gathering before the dinner.

Here is the full text of the Commander’s address on the occasion: 

“It gives me great pleasure to be associated with this occasion, which is of significance as the first of its kind in the Army history. To see you all who brought about peace to our motherland at the expense of your legs and limbs, I feel I am honoured and dignified.

The unshaken leadership of HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the unfailing guidance given by Secretary Defence Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, needless to repeat, made you all to eradicate the vicious cycle of terrorism that plagued the country for over 30 years, boasting that those brutal butchers could not be defeated. You are therefore not indebted either to your parents or the motherland.

Had we been fortunate to receive the astute political leadership of HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa some time ago, this war would not have been prolonged for so many years. We would have saved so many lives. We would not have suffered so much of disability. But each and every drop of sweat and blood you shed, you have been rewarded since Sri Lanka is now enjoying dividends of honorable peace.

We used to recall the memories of great kings such as Gemunu, Vijayaba, Gajaba and their brave warriors who stood against all foreign invasions with dignity and reverence. Dear War Heroes, your name has also been etched in history in gold letters and those commitments have made Sri Lanka Army immortal.

See how the country is fast undergoing development with many highways, ports, airports power plants and other large scale projects. It is your blood and sweat that enabled conduct of such projects. Those noble sacrifices have ignited the flames of freedom and the winds of those newly found liberty and peace are blowing across each and every Sri Lankan, bringing a great deal of merit to you.

As Commander of the Army, it is my bounden duty to do all possible for the welfare of you, the real inheritors of this unique victory, although you are disable today. As the Army, we are committed to get you also the maximum benefits of all welfare projects, being effected by the government.

Under the ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ housing project of the Ministry of Defence, a large number of disable War Heroes have already been provided with houses following coordination done by the Seva Vanitha Army Branch. In the future too, those deserving War Heroes would be offered houses, in addition to a number of other Ranaviru welfare projects being carried out by the Seva Vanitha, I am very pleased to note, the Commander said.

The ‘Brave Hearts’ project, initiated by me with the supervision of the Seva Vanitha Army Branch, which is slated to construct the ‘Abimansala’ at Anuradhapura where disable War Heroes and families could go for rest and recreation, is to be a reality very soon. 52 disable War Heroes selected from the North Central Province as the first phase of the project are to be provided facilities in this new centre.

Furthermore, discussions have been initiated with the government to obtain more financial grants to perform your major surgeries. I believe the government would make those facilities available in the future for the sake of our War Heroes expected to receive full recovery.

In conclusion, let me wish good luck and all the best to your great parents who gave birth to patriotic heroes like you, your spouses and children who stood by you at all times with love and care while braving all odds. May blessings of the sacred Tooth and deities be with all of you”.