Wedding Bells Ring for Three More Differently-able War Heroes Under Recuperation

Three more differently-able War Heroes of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR), who turned physically handicapped during the fight against LTTE terrorism, tied nuptial knots at VIR-managed ‘The Salute’ Reception Hall at Boyagane Kurunegala on Tuesday (24) in a combined wedding ceremony, hosted by ‘Siyanewe Api’, a forum of entrepreneurs in Gampaha Siyane Koralaya

Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest for this exclusive occasion was the attesting witness for marriage registration on behalf of all three bridegrooms, together with Brigadier Chandana Gunewardena, VIR, Brigadier Srinath Ariyasinghe, Centre Commandant, VIR Regimental Headquarters and a gathering of invitees of both the bridegroom and the bride.

Dedicated to the welfare of injured War Heroes, the organization ‘Siyanewe Api’ footed the entire cost of the wedding arrangement, including all paraphernalia, wedding costumes, vehicles, refreshments, buffet lunch, music band, wedding cakes, etc for the 6th consecutive year in close coordination with the Directorate of Rehabilitation of the Army as in previous instances.

The glittering joint wedding ceremony of Sergeant B.G.S.K Nandasiri of 8 VIR, Corporal G.D.T.B.S.K Chamikara of 6 VIR and Corporal M.P Premasiri of 4 VIR are residents under recuperation and rehabilitation at ‘Abimansala I’, ‘Abimansala II’ and VIR Regimental Headquarters, Boyagane.

Matrimonial rites and rituals, Poruwa ceremonies, registration, wedding cake cutting, exchange of gifts with parents, etc adorned the wedding spirits since arrival of brides and bridegrooms at the auspicious minute. The mammoth arrangement, a form of a tribute, made to the dedicated and selfless services of those defenders of the country, was made possible, thanks to the initiatives of the Gampaha businessmen’s forum, ‘Siyanaewe Api’ who have earlier conducted five more such weddings of differently able War Heroes at their cost.

As the wedding ceremony was on, the day’s Chief Guest Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake was invited to another auspicious moment of interest and joy by a mother of an infant who is married to a differently able War Hero under the same project last year.

The mother requested the Commander to be present when the maiden feed to their infant (Indulkatagema) is performed during this memorable occasion to the surprise of the attendees. The invitation was readily obliged and the Commander performed the ritual, taking a few minutes off from the main wedding ceremony proceedings.

Bridegrooms, Sergeant B.G.S.K Nandasiri of 8 VIR, sustained injuries during a head-on clash with LTTE terrorists in Nagarkovil and turned physically disabled. His disability however did not pose any bar to his unfailing romance with Nishanthi Madushani in Gokarella. He is still undergoing treatment at ‘Abimansala 1’ wellness resort at Anuradhapura. Corporal G.D.T.B.S.K Chamikara of 6 VIR who also sustained critical injuries during a fierce battle against terrorists in Puthumathalan has been under rehabilitation at ‘Abimansala 2’ for several years. His bride, Disna Probodani from Mattugama was proposed to him and they both agreed to the wedlock with the blessings of their elders.

The bridegroom, Corporal M.P Premasiri of 4 VIR chose Chandima Hemalatha Ranathunga from Morakewa as his fiancée before he fell victim in the final Puthukkudiyirippu battlefield. He has been serving at the Headquarters battalion of the VIR until the D-day of Love invited him to the wedding table.

Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake after attesting to the matrimony gifted each couple with packs of valuable household accessories and offered his best wishes on their wedded lives. He also made a few greetings to the couples in a brief talk.

A large gathering of well-wishers, relatives of all 6 families, Major General Piyal Wickramaratne, Director General General Staff, Major General Shavendra Silva, Adjutant General, Brigadier Shantha Thirunavukarasu, Director Rehabilitation, several Senior Officers, Officers and Other Ranks participated in the wedding ceremony.