‘Pabala Mela’ Gives Away More Welfare Relief Packages During Final Day

Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) Regiment’s annual pet project, ‘Paabala Mela – 2017,’ the mega exhibition and the carnival at Hikkaduwa public grounds, drew to a close on Sunday (24) offering incentives to family members of fallen and disabled War Heroes and serving Army personnel to the value of more than Rs 1 million.

The two-day long (Dec 23-24), ‘Paabala Mela - 2017’, the fund-raiser, meant to enhance welfare projects of the SLLI Regiment attracted a record gathering of more than 30,000 spectators to the event during both days.

The two-day mega spectacle, coloured with a variety of entertaining features, including ‘Seeduwa Sakura’ (23), ‘Sanidapa’ (24) bands staged the Army tattoo, dog shows, presented by the Commando Regiment, band and drill displays during both days.

Major General Amal Karunasekara, Colonel of the Regiment, Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) as the Chief Guest on the final day gave away those financial grants to family members of SLLI War Heroes and civil employees.

SLLI troops on account of their annual pride offered assistance and spent nearly Rs 160,000/= for construction of a new bus shelter on Hikkaduwa-Baddegama main road and also the renovation of the house of the land-owner who volunteered to provide land for construction of the bus shelter. Donations made on the final day also went to get medical consultations for two children of Army personnel, afflicted with Thalassemia.

Differently able inmates at Kamburupitiya ‘Abimansala-2’ also enjoyed the extravaganza at Hikkaduwa at the invitation of the SLLI.

The two-day mega spectacle was inaugurated on Saturday (23) by Major General Ruwan Kulathunga, Commandant, Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC). Most attractive among the youth were the dog shows, band and drill displays and the Army Tattoo that generated thrilling waves.