Opening of New ‘Viru Daru Vidu Piyasa’ at Kurunegala Defence Services College & Launch of One More Phase of ‘Virusara’ Privilege Card

The ceremonial opening of the three-storied new Viru Daru Vidu Piyasa building at Kurunegala Defence Services College (VDVP) and award of 2000 more ‘Virusara’ Privilege Cards to Tri-service, Police and Civil Security Department War Heroes in the North Western Province will take place on Wednesday (29) at Kurunegala during a ceremony, headed by the President Maithripala Sirisena as the Chief Guest.

The construction of the new VDVP building got underway with the blessings of the President and Mr Ruwan Wijewardene, State Minister of Defence and cost Rs 215 m for the government. Its construction was completed by members of the technical staff in the Sri Lanka Navy and the Department of Engineering in the North Western Province.

The new building, equipped with 41 class rooms, IT laboratories, libraries, administrative offices and a cafeteria with modern facilities will enable the VDVP to absorb more children from tri-service families in the future, in addition to the 1023 students currently learning in the college where classes from Grade 1 to Grade 9 are conducted. The VDVP at Kurunegala, now considered as one of the best 50 national schools across the island. has excelled in under 13 cricket, chess, karate, football and athletics.

Meanwhile, a total of 2000 more disabled War Heroes and family members of fallen War Heroes of the North Western Province during the same ceremony at Kurunegala, will receive ‘Virusara’ Privilege Cards which offer a wide assortment of benefits in more than 67 state and private sector services, including medicine, food varieties, transport, hospital treatment, educational courses, furniture, jewellery, hardware, etc. The Virusara Privilege Card which saw its birth in January, last year has so far disseminated discounts among the beneficiaries to the value of Rs 190.02 m.

During the same ceremony, the Ranaviru Seva Authority has organized the award of scholarships to widows and children for sewing courses, advanced level studies, English language courses and other professional courses, thanks to the sponsorships, granted by private sector companies and the Ranaviru Seva Authority. President Maithripala Sirisena is scheduled to distribute those scholarships during the ceremony at Kurunegala.

Tri-service War Heroes and family members, numbering over 30,000 have so far received the ‘Virusara’ Privilege Card, being distributed as a project of the Ranaviru Seva Authority of the State Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Defence.