One more phase of the mega island-wide house construction project of the War Heroes, funded by the ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ at Ministry of Defence (MoD) was declared open on Saturday (18) when HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Chief Guest on the occasion symbolically handed over the first set of keys of the new house, built under this scheme under the MoD to the War Hero, Lance Corporal W.L Ariyadasa at Kirilipana, Matara.
Ministry of Defence, actively engaged in constructing new houses for War Heroes across the country, thanks to initiatives taken by Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence, has completed the construction of 36 more new houses in both Matara and Hambantota districts for the benefit of War Heroes, resident in those areas.
Saturday’s inaugural symbolic ceremony at Matara, graced by HE the President, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army and a host of distinguished guests, declared all the houses so far built under the 700 housing programme for Matara and Hambantota district War Heroes.
A representative gathering of all recipients of new houses from different areas in both districts received their keys symbolically at the same occasion.
President Rajapaksa in the company of Ministers, Governor Southern Province, Secretary Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army, Commander of the Navy, Inspector General of Police and others was conducted to the venue in a colourful procession after they were welcomed on arrival at the venue of the ceremony.
Secretary Defence addressing the gathering said that Sri Lanka finished a war in a short period of time, which the international community said impossible. “Some are trying to show that the government is not looking after the War Heroes now, but that is not true. We continue to look after our soldiers and that is why we are giving houses to our War Heroes today” Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa said. He also said that in other countries after a war a lot of soldiers end up in mental hospitals but such situation did not arise here because of proper handling of the situation.
The ceremony also saw that children of War Hero families receive special gift parcels from the President on the same occasion after the first house, adjacent to the venue of the ceremony, was declared open. President Rajapaksa cut a ribbon, unveiled a special plaque and entered the new house, built by the MoD at Kirilipana after keys were handed over to the War Hero as members of the Maha Sangha started chanting Pirith. President Rajapaksa with a few other guests tasted a cup of tea and traditional sweetmeats, offered by the recipient’s family members inside immediately after inaugural house warming was over.
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