Seva Vanitha Meets Differently Able War Heroes at Kuruwita

With a view to inquiring into well-being of those differently-able War Heroes at the Kuruwita Gemunu Watch (GW) Regimental Centre, Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB), President Mrs. Manjulika Jayasuriya, in the company of several senior Army Officers from different Directorates, visited Kuruwita this morning (16). 

The SVAB’s popularly called, “Mobile Service” also took place during this visit. The project identified hitherto unresolved issues and problems of War Heroes, related to their purchase of land, loans, housing, education, etc with special focus on physically handicapped War Heroes, attached to the GW Regiment.

Measures were taken to address those pending grievances and concerns, mostly of administrative nature during the interactive mobile service where representatives or Directors of Welfare, Additional Welfare, Medical Services, Rehabilitation, Pay and Records, et al were present and gave solutions then and there.   

During the day’s proceedings, Mrs Jayasuriya took part in a number of multiple welfare roles with the support her organization has received from the government and private sector donors.

As the first item on the agenda, she offered a cheque to the value of Rs. 146,000/= to Captain S.K.T.V. Chandrakumara, a differently able officer of the 4 Gemunu Watch for construction of his bathroom. Funds for this requirement had been donated to the SVAB by Mr Mayura Wasantha at Wellawatta with the support of his friends.

Symbolizing the award of more than 25 scholarships to the GW by the SVAB every year, 6 children of War Hero families were presented pass books with a deposit of Rs. 10,000/= in each child’s name on the same occasion. Mrs Jayasuriya gave away those scholarships.

Next, was the donation of a sum of Rs. 500,000/= towards the construction of the house of Corporal Hewage G.K. The financial donation for the project has been made by State Mortgage and Investment Bank’s Buddhist Association. All raw materials needed for the construction were to be bought from this donation, the SVAB said.

Meanwhile, Gemunu Watch Commanding Officer, all officers and Other Ranks of 4 GW, through financial contributions made among them, took time off to donate four complete bathroom sets to Corporal Sydney, Corporal Bandara, Lance Corporal Kumara and Private Jayawardena on the same occasion. Mrs Jayasuriya and Mrs Udumalagala symbolically made those donations during the same occasion in the company of GW officers. This special gesture of goodwill was meant to coincide with the 4 GW’s 24th anniversary too.

One more philanthropist, Mrs Madura Vithanage of Australia, considering the differently able soldier, Corporal Bandara’s requirement for purchase of an artificial limb, has sent in a cheque to the value of Rs. 45,000/=. The cheque was also delivered to the War Hero during the occasion.

On the same occasion, Gemunu Watch Seva Vanitha Unit President with her senior members afterwards lined up to donate a new wheelchair to the Sergeant Kumara of the GW.

Similarly, following an initiative taken by Mr Ravindra Lal Caldera, brother of Mrs Avanthi Abeynayake, a senior active member in the GW Seva Vanitha Unit, free distribution of 13 pairs of spectacles among War Heroes took place at the same venue. Mr Janaka Fonseka and Mrs Rasika Fonseka of Vision Care Centre at Colombo 7 had born the cost of those spectacles. Symbolizing the acceptance of the visual equipment, Corporal Bandara received the first pair on the same occasion.  

On arrival Mrs Jayasuriya was warmly received by Mrs Chintha Udumalagala,  President, GW Seva Vanitha Unit. During the meeting that ensued, Mrs Udumalagala  welcomed the visiting SVAB President and senior officers. Commanding Officer at the Regimental Headquarters presented a brief account of the projects that have already been undertaken by the regiment for the benefit of all War Heroes.

Mrs Jayasuriya later on visited areas where differently able GW soldiers are engaged in production of concrete bricks, flower pots and concrete garden structures, fiber products, coir items, wicks for oil lamps, wood handicrafts, etc. Mrs Jayasuriya, impressed with the products instructed relevant authorities to try and find good markets, if possible as a stimulus to the producers.

Mrs. Jayasuriya also inquired into the infrastructure facilities available for these War Heroes and visited the Physiotherapy Centre at the Regimental Headquarters. She witnessed how War Heroes are treated and shared a couple of views with some of them during the stay there.