19th November 2022 21:01:32 Hours
A reconciliation gesture with far-reaching impact and is of exceptional nature was put into practice by the 65 Infantry Division of the Security Force HQ-Wanni by adopting a project to share Sinhala literary works of educational nature with Tamil medium students learning in areas served by the 65 Division.
As per the conceptual guidance given by Major General Prasad Edirisinghe, General Officer Commanding, 65 Infantry Division, a project was initiated to translate 4 novels and short stories (100 copies), written by the South-based reputed Sinhala novelist, Martin Wickramasinghe into the Tamil language with sponsorship, made available by the Shanthi Foundation, Colombo.
Accordingly, those translated Tamil books were distributed to 25 schools in Mallavi, Thunukkai, Mulankavil, Nochichikuda, and Madu areas and the resources, amounting to Rs 50,000 were coordinated by the Civil Affairs Officer of the 65 Infantry Division Lieutenant Colonel J. D. U. T. Kumara.
The symbolic main inaugural event got underway on 15 November 2022 at Mallavi Central College in the presence of Major General Prasad Edirisinghe as the chief guest where the first set of those translations were delivered to the Principal with the objective of popularizing Sinhala literary prose and verse among Tamil students.
The occasion attended by students followed a valuable lecture on the 'prevention of drugs', delivered by Dr. Dushanthan, MOH at Pooneryn. The simple arrangement culminated with the vote of thanks extended by the principal at Mallavi Central College.
The respective Brigades with their battalions, organized similar distribution events among students at schools in Thunukkai, Mulankavil, Nochichikuda, and Madu areas during 15-16 November. The General Officer Commanding of the 65 Infantry Division as the Chief Guest attended those separate delivery ceremonies.
