01st July 2016 04:06:43 Hours
The inauguration of the Phase-2 and the completion of the Phase-1 of the distribution of the ‘Virusara’ Privilege Card among a total of 1400 more War Heroes, the disabled and family members of fallen War Heroes took place Monday (27) afternoon during a ceremony, presided by HE the President Maithripala Sirisena as the Chief Guest at Rajarata Vidyalaya, Hingurakgoda, Polonnaruwa.
The ceremony, attended by the Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Minister of Regional Development, Hon. Ruwan Wijayawardena, State Minister of Defence, Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Secretary Defence, Mr A.P.G Kithsiri, Secretary to State Ministry of Defence, Mrs Anoma Fonseka, Chairperson, Ranaviru Seva Authority (RSA), Chief of Defence Staff, Tri service Commanders, Deputy Inspector General of Police for the East, Director General, Civil Security Department, saw 440 (Army), 85 (Sailors), 200 (Air Force), 100 (Police) and 75 (Civil Security Department) personnel received new ‘Virusara’ Privilege Cards under the Phase - 2 on Monday (27) while the remainder was distributed under the Phase 1.
The conceptual notion, suggested by Hon. Ruwan Wijayawardena, State Minister of Defence and implemented by the Ranaviru Seva Authority, chaired by Mrs Anoma Fonseka on the guidelines given by Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Secretary Defence and Mr A.P.G Kithsiri, Secretary to State Ministry of Defence provides tangible discounts and prioritized services in more than 55 state and private sector service providers.
The ‘Virusara’ Privilege Card also adds recognition to the invaluable services of War Heroes in society and serves as a reminder of their incomparable contribution to the motherland, despite risks against their own lives. The Project is spearheaded by an MoD appointed Action Committee, comprised of senior tri service, Police and Civil Security Department officers. This time the beneficiaries have been selected from service personnel who have served a period of 22 years within the years 1983-2009.
President Maithripala Sirisena was next invited to the stage for inauguration of the Phase-2 by distributing the first set of ‘Virusara’ Privilege Cards among the beneficiaries under both categories (Phase 1 & 2).
President Maithripala Sirisena in his address to the occasion re-iterated that his government would not in any way weaken the forces, nor would it cut down their privileges or other benefits currently available to them. Instead the qualitative aspect and the professionalism among them would continue to be promoted after opening more and more overseas training possibilities for them. He also told the gathering that as alleged by some quarters his government has not allowed any member of the armed forces to get demoralized or be humiliated.
He also told the gathering that incidents like Kosgama - Salawa blast could happen anywhere in the world. There were worse blasts before the Salawa one in the country. So were such explosions in foreign lands. How could one say ‘demoralization’ of the troops caused the fire at Salawa?, the President queried.
Group Captain R.S Wickramarathna, Base Commander, Air Force Base - Hingurakkgoda welcomed the President and all attendees at the occasion. Mrs Anoma Fonseka, Chairperson, Ranaviru Seva Authority (RSA) at the beginning of the ceremony expressed her thoughts about the project.
Nearly, 15,000 ‘Virusara’ Privilege Cards have now been awarded giving benefits to over 50,000 members of their families across the country. It saw its birth as a welfare measure of the RSA giving recognition to the service recipients during the maiden meeting at Temple Trees on 25 January, this year.
