11th April 2022 17:46:55 Hours
A project that was initiated to erect as many houses as possible for former LTTE combatants in the Jaffna peninsula resulted in construction of a new house to Mr Rasawallan Thaboruban of Mailaddy, Jaffna on 3 November 2021 after his helpless plight was brought to the notice of General Shavendra Silva, Chief of the Defence Staff and Commander of the Army by Major General Sujeewa Senarath Yapa, Commander, Security Forces-Jaffna.
The beneficiary was rehabilitated and reintegrated to the society after he was set free on a special Presidential pardon on 24 June 2021, but was without a proper shelter for his daughter and the family. On the same day (3 November), the foundation-stone was laid for the construction by the visiting Army Chief giving the start to the project in order to provide him with a new house.
Financial contribution for construction of this new house was offered accordingly by the philanthropist, Mr Vish Nadaraja through the coordination of the General Officer Commanding, 55 Division HQ, Brigadier Prasanna Gunaratne at the request of the Army. Likewise, troops of 10 Sri Lanka Artillery provided much - required manpower and technical expertise for the construction work under the supervision of the Colonel Aruna Wijekoon, Commander, 515 Brigade of the SFHQ-Jaffna.
During a formal visit to the SFHQ-J, General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army instructed the SFHQ-J to implement an exclusive housing project for the benefit of ex-combatants, some of who remain permanently wounded in close coordination with Grama Seva officials in respective areas as many of those ex-combatants were living sans proper housing facilities.
On Monday (11), the pioneer of the project, General Shavendra Silva, Chief of the Defence Staff and Commander of the Army joined the house-warming ceremony at Mailaddy to Mr Rasawallan Thaboruban via zoom technology from the Army Chief's office at the Army HQ and extended his best wishes for a brighter future. A plaque to that effect was unveiled soon after religious blessings were performed.
Major General Sujeewa Senarath Yapa, Commander, Security Forces Jaffna graced the house-warming ceremony, together with the sponsor, Mr Vish Nadaraja and his spouse, Mrs Nadaraja and handed over the keys of the newly-built house to the ex-combatant and his family after Hindu religious rites and rituals were performed.
Brigadier Prasanna Gunarathna, General Officer Commander 55 Division, Senior Officers, state officials, beneficiary's relatives, troops who built the house took part in the warming ceremony.
