19th November 2022 21:06:48 Hours
A mammoth project to erect a much-needed playground for students at Vinayanagar Vidyalaya in Manmune area in Batticaloa covering a land patch of 1.75 acres was brought to an impressive completion by East-based troops and formally vested it in the students during a simple ceremony on Friday (11 Nov).
Several months ago, a request letter from the Principal, Mr. V. Pushpaharan to this effect was referred to the Commander of the Army through the former Commander, Security Forces-East, Major General Priyantha Jayawardena, for which the Army Chief positively responded and instructed the Security Force HQ-East to liaise with the District Secretariat and relevant authorities of the Education Department and the respective zone in order to find a suitable land for the purpose from the same area.
Those 460 students were finally delighted to get a land patch of 1.75 acres for construction of this much-needed playground and a Canada-based International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) volunteered to sponsor the full cost of Rs. 6.25 m needed for the construction of the entire playground with a small pavilion.
Major General Ruwan Wanigasooriya (Retd), who also served the office of the Commander, Security Forces-East a few years ago before his retirement was instrumental in receiving the sponsorship for the entire project after coordinating with Sri Lankan expatriates in the said INGO.
7 Field Sri Lanka Engineers 7 (Field SLE) troops accordingly with the support of 3 Corps of Engineer Services (CES) troops inaugurated its land preparation work on 9 July 2022 and completed the entire project in less than 5 months to the best satisfaction of educational and school authorities.
The project reached its deadline within a notable period of 65 days under the close supervision of Major General Shevanth Kulathunga, General Officer Commanding, 23 Infantry Division, Brigadier Dilupa Bandara, Brigade Commander, 231 Infantry Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel J. A. N. P. Gunaratne, Commanding Officer of 4 Gemunu Watch and with the hard work of 7 (Field) SLE and 3 CES troops. Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army directed the SFHQ-East troops with necessary instructions.
During a ceremony that got underway, Major General Priyantha Jayawardena, the former SF- East Commander, together with Major General Ruwan Wanigasooriya (Retd), General Officer Commanding, 23 Infantry Division, 231 Infantry Brigade Commander, Zonal Educational Assistant Director of Batticaloa district, Principal of Vinayanagar Vidyalaya, Mr. V. Pushpaharan, Senior Officers, parents, and students declared the playground open for the students, fulfilling a long-awaited dream of the students.
