Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) Headquarters, Battaramulla with the intention of further promoting educational interest among children of War Heroes, offered scholarships, valued at Rs 2,306,000/= among Ranaviru families during a function held Saturday (13), headed by the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya.
At the invitation of the Commandant Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Major General D. R. A. B. Jayatilake, the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, accompanied by Mrs. Manjulika Jayasuriya, President Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB), arrived at the SLAVF Headquarters entrance to be received by the Commandant SLAVF Major General D. R. A. B. Jayatilake. Lieutenant General Jayasuriya afterwards inspected a Guard Turnout at the entrance to the Headquarters complex and received the salute of the Guard of Honour, accorded by SLAVF soldiers. A few minuets later, the chief guest, Lieutenant General Jayasuriya planted a tree sapling at the SLAVF Headquarters complex in memory of his visit to the place.
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya also did not forget to share a cup of tea from in the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess before being escorted to the main dais by bagpipers. A two minute silence afterwards commemorated fallen heroes, after the Commander of the Army lit the traditional oil lamp for inauguration of the day’s agenda.
The Commandant SLAVF Major General D. R. A. B. Jayatilake rose to the occasion and explained reasons that led to the arrangement of those donations.
Eighty-four children out of a total of 331 students received this bursary from the Commander of the Army and other Senior Officers present at the occasion. Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, President SVAB also joined the Commander in presenting those scholarships and donations.
The Commander addressing the gathering after the donations lauded the services of soldiers during the humanitarian operations and stressed that the next duty of the Army should be to assist the development of the country, making it possible for Sri Lanka to be the ‘Wonder in Asia’. He also said that the Army with its strength has a greater responsibility in achieving the targeted development.
The ongoing ‘Brave Hearts’ project’ that builds the Anuradhapura ‘Abimansala’ holiday resort for totally dependent War Heroes as well as the rest and recreation centre, coming up at Attidiya on a concept of the Secretary Defence will facilitate dependent War Heroes to receive solace and recreation.
‘With the intention of promoting the Army image among foreign nations, on the instructions of the Secretary Defence Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, an international symposium on War experiences is to be held in Sri Lanka mid of next year,’ he added.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya also mentioned that he has taken steps to increase the Welfare Loan of the Directorate of Welfare to Rs. 300,000. He also said that Api Venuwen Api project conducted under a concept of the Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa is already constructing houses island-wide for disabled War Heroes who own a plot of land. Chief of staff and a number of senior officers attended the function.
Army Cultural troop entertained the gathering in between the donations with colourful dances and songs throughout the programme.
Before winding up the day’s events, Major General Jayatilake made a donation of Rs.1 million towards the ‘Abimansala’, the wellness resort currently being constructed in Anuradhapura for totally dependant disabled War Heroes. The donation was handed over to the Commander of the Army during this gathering.
Deputy Commandant SLAVF Major General A. C. Obeysekera delivered the vote of thanks as the National anthem rent the air marking the end of the day’s programme.
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