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Sri Lanka Army

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Second 'Viru Daru' Sports Meet Draws Huge Participation


The three-day long 2nd Army ‘Viru Daru - 2012’ Sports Meet at Colombo Sugathadasa Stadium kicked off on Friday (26) morning, amidst cheering and shining hopes.

Attaching phenomenal importance to the sports talents of children of all Army War Heroes, the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya last year for the first time, introduced the conceptual notion of conducting a Sports Meet of this nature.

Organized jointly by Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB), Army Sports Board, Sports Development Department, Gemunu Watch Seva Vanitha Unit and Viru Daru Society, the inaugural ceremony on Friday (26) had Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest.

Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, President, SVAB who was the brainchild behind forming regimental level ‘Viru Daru Societies’ in the Army and its parent body, the ‘Viru Daru Society’, together with a host of Seva Vanitha ladies, ‘Viru Daru Society’ members, senior Army officers, parents and a host of other invitees, witnessed the inaugural ceremony.  

More than 1400 children of War Heroes, including those of fallen and disable War Heroes, are scheduled to compete for supremacy in a series of track and field events during October 26, 27 & 28. Soon after the Chief Guest’s formal declaration of the opening and oath-taking, a beautifully dressed set of children of War Heroes, entertained the gathering with a colourful spectacle.

Ms Deshani Jayasuriya, Chairperson, ‘Viru Daru Society’, extending a warm welcome to the Chief Guest and other invitees, outlined the importance of hosting an annual feature of this nature for promotion of sports talents among island-wide Ranaviru children every year.       

The project, regarded by the newly- founded Army Children’s Association ‘Viru Daru Society’ at Army Headquarters as the second mammoth assignment of this nature entrusted to them, is aimed at tapping sports skills and born talents of Ranaviru children of all ages.

A gathering of this nature exclusively for children of War Hero families, some of who have been severely affected due to loss of their beloved fathers, disability among their beloved parents and various other psychological barriers, would immensely benefit them for further promotion of understanding, brotherhood and comradeship among fellow-brethren of Army families.