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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

07th December 2015 14:30:39 Hours

Indian Army-Sri Lankan Army Joint Project Enables ‘Ranaviru’ Children to Tour India

Following the generosity and the thoughtfulness, shown by the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva and the Chief of the Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh of the Indian Army, a team of 22 school students of Ranaviru families, belonging to all the regiments of the Army under the India-Sri Lanka Youth Exchange Programme, left for India Saturday (5) afternoon with a view to visiting New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and several other places of ancient and educational interest. 

The educational tour was initiated, consequent upon a request, extended to  Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva by his counterpart of the Indian Army, General Dalbir Singh who just concluded a goodwill tour to Sri Lanka at the invitation of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva.  

While the Indian Army Chief has assured facilitation of their accommodation, internal transport, board and lodging during their one-week long tour in India, the Commander of the Army has supported the initiative by supplying air tickets to those students of Ranaviru families. 

The Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU) which coordinated the programme under the aegis of Mrs Nayana De Silva, President, ASVU has requested Mrs. Shirani Ambanpola, Secretary, ASVU, Mrs. Prajeewa Alwis, Chairperson, Military Intelligence Corps (MIC) Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Himashini Perera, Chairperson, Special Forces (SF) Seva Vanitha Unit and a few officers of the ASVU to accompany those children on tour at ASVU cost. 

The group will tour India during 5-13 December covering historical and other interesting places in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur areas to be in line with the itinerary, prepared by the office of the Indian Chief of the Army Staff, the host of the tour in India. 

A few hours prior to their departure, those participants attended a special ‘Bodhi Pooja’ programme at Hunupitiya Gangaramaya and received religious blessings for the tour where a symbolic handover of air tickets also took place, headed by Mrs Nayana De Silva before their departure to the airport. 

At Gangaramaya, Mrs De Silva spoke to the children and gave necessary instructions regarding the tour and extended her best wishes to the participants. Some parents of the school children also joined the religious observances. Indian High Commissioner’s office has assisted in the issuance of visiting visas for the group.