In parallel with the ‘Worlds Children’s Day’, troops of the 681 Brigade under the 68 Division of the Security Force Headquarters – Mullaittivu as done by island-wide troops on the directions of the Commander of the Army organized a series of community-oriented programmes with the assistance of 6 Gemunu Watch and 9 Sri Lanka National Guards troops on Saturday (1).

Under the instructions of the 681 Brigade Commander, Officers and Other Ranks of the 6 Gemunu Watch and 9 Sri Lanka National Guard distributed 20 dry ration packs among needy pregnant women and children in the area.

In the meantime, troops of the 20 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment of the 662 Brigade under the 66 Division of the Security Force Headquarters - Mullaittivu conducted a community-oriented project. With sponsorship made available by well known Philanthropist of Mullaittivu area, troops distributed pairs of school shoes for 30 needy children studying at Anavilandankulam Primary School on Saturday (1).

The donation programme was carried out under the close supervision of the Commanding Officer of the 20 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment. Teachers of the school, parents, officers and other ranks joined the occasion.

Meanwhile, 53 Division HQ troops in Habarana using their own resources conducted a distribution of school stationaries to coincide with the ‘World Children’s Day’ at Siyamblanduwa Pubudu Pre-School and Digampathana Singithi Pre-School on Saturday (1). At the end of the programme, troops offered refreshments and delicious lunch to kids learning there. The donation programme was conducted under the close supervision of Major General Udaya Herath, General Officer Commanding, 53 Division.

Meanwhile, 17 (V) Gajaba Regiment troops under the 642 Brigade of the 64 Division, engaged in another community-oriented programme donated school books and sports accessories bought by troops themselves to the needy children at Periyaeththimadu Government Tamil Mixed School on Friday (30). At the end of the donation programme, troops provided refreshments, tea and delicious lunch to the kids, their teachers and parents. Commanding Officer, Officers and Other Ranks of the 17 (V) Gajaba Regiment joined the event.

Meanwhile, troops of the 23 Gajaba Regiment and 3 Sri Lanka National Guard on Saturday (1) organized a donation of school books to students at Hathporuwa Government Junior School in Sooriyawewa on account of the ‘World Children’s Day’. The programme was sponsored by Mr. Tharanga Weerawardena, Managing Director, Alaris Lanka (Pvt) Ltd at the request of the troops.

Around the same time, troops provided a delicious lunch to all 322 students in the school at the culmination of the donation programme. The programme got underway under the supervision of Brigadier Nadeeka Kulasekera, Brigade Commander, 122 Brigade.

In the meantime, troops of the Infantry Training Center (ITC) at Minneriya had their own arrangement to mark the ‘World Children’s Day’ at the ITC premises on Saturday (1) with the participation of Grade 9 students of Polonnaruwa, Girithalegama Government National School.

The programme conducted under the instructions of Brigadier Chandana Ranaweera, Center Commandant, ITC - Minneriya was attended by the Principal, teachers and students.

On the Children’s Day, 18 Gemunu Watch troops of the 121 Brigade of the 12 Division meanwhile provided a delicious meal and gifts to 30 pre-school kids at ‘Bosath’ Pre School in Dambegoda, Maligawila. Troops before the day’s programme commenced cleaned the pre-school compound and attended to required repairs in relation to accessories in the playground.

The General Officer Commanding, 12 Division, Major General Lanka Amarapala, 121 Brigade Commander, Brigadier Janaka Udowita and Commanding Officer, 18 Gemunu Watch supervised the project that went on for three days.

Another Children’s Day programme organized by 4 Sri Lanka Light Infantry troops at Kiralagolla, Dambulla distributed essential school accessories, inclusive of school books got underway at Good Shepherd’s Convent in Matale on Saturday (1). Troops entertained those children by providing calypso music.

Meanwhile, Special Forces Regimental Centre at Naula, Matale adding importance to the Children’s Day launched a book donation project plus provision of a free meal to the ‘Senehasa’ Buddhist Children’s Development Centre and the Pradeepa Buddhist Girls Children’s Home on Saturday (1). In addition, the SF Regimental Centre on the directions of Major General Sujeewa Senarath Yapa, Colonel of the Regiment, SF held a leadership training session for students at Kawdupelella Sinhala Vidyalaya, Matale on Friday (30) in order to mark the Children’s Day.

In the meantime, a new unit for purification of waste water for villagers at Karipaddamurrippu in Mullaittivu was installed on a proposal made by Major General Sanjaya Wanasinghe, Commander, Security Forces – Mullaittivu to mark the Children’s Day and the Elders’ Day. The sponsorship for the project was supplied by Mr V Manoharan, Chairman, Sri Lanka Sathyasai International Organization. At the same inaugural occasion of the new purification unit, a group of 15 selected needy children in the area were given school accessories and books as incentives.

Mr V Manoharan in his brief speech to the occasion praised the Army’s implementation of civil roles and expressed his happiness over management of community projects in the most effective and economical manner giving the best of the best to the beneficiaries. Major General Sanjaya Wanasinghe and several Senior Officers were present during the commissioning ceremony.

Meanwhile, 23 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment troops contributed to the Children’s Day by distributing about 25 lunch packets among students and teachers at the Government Tamil Mixed School in Samankulam, Mullaittivu.

Meanwhile, 8 Sri Lanka Artillery troops of the 643 Brigade of the 64 Division on account of the Children’s Day cleaned the Periyasaambalan ‘Jana’ Pre-School premises in Thaddiyamalai Grama Seva Division in order to prevent any outbreak of Dengue in the area. Teachers and parents, together with troops completed the project on the Children’s Day (October 1).

Likewise, 572 Brigade troops of the 57 Division under command to the Security Force Headquarters-Mullaitivu on account of the Children’s Day launched a variety of children and adults-oriented community projects at Vishwa Madu Community Hall on Friday (30).

The first segment distributed 75 packs of essential school items and accessories for the needy children of the area and 15 needy families were given 15 packs of essential dry rations with 15 coconut saplings. Major General Chandimal Peiris, General Officer Commanding of the 57 Division initiated the project. The close supervision of the Brigade Commander of the 572 Brigade enbled its smooth launch.

571 Brigade troops of the 57 Division meanwhile supported the cleaning of the Pudumurrippu Vigneshwara School and its compound as part of their contribution to the Children's Day. They also cleaned the playground at ‘Maha Deva Aaashrama’ Children’s Home and 7 Sri Lanka Light Infantry troops on the same day handed over 50 sets of past papers to 50 school students for the betterment of their studies. Major General Chandimal Peiris, General Officer Commanding, 57 Division gave his blessings for the projects and the 571 Brigade Commander actively took part in those projects.

9 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment troops meanwhile joined others to clean Thadduwankuddi primary school premises at an another community project under the supervision of the commanding officer. They distributed school shoes and books, each pack to the value of Rs 3500/- among selected needy children in consultation with the clergy at Navajeevanam Church.

Meanwhile, 233 Brigade HQ of the 23 Division under the instructions of Major General Priyantha Jayawardana, Commander, Security Forces - East extending its share to the commemoration of “World Children’s Day” offered its assistance to take the kids at ‘Ran Tharu’ pre-school in Shalawaththa, Unagalawehera, Hingurakgoda on an educational tour to several places of interest in the area.

43 pre-school kids, 40 parents and 02 pre-school teachers joined the tour with transport facilities made available by the Army. They during the tour visited the Paper Mill at Valachchenai, Sallathivu Beach, Lankapatuna temple and the Seruwila Temple. Similarly, 233 Brigade troops entertained them with calypso music inside the bus during the tour.

The arrangement, implemented under the guidance of the General Officer Commanding, 23 Division, Major General Shewanth Kulatunge was closely supervised by the Commander, 233 Brigade, Brigadier Wasantha Hewage. Civil Affairs Officer and Other Ranks joined the tour.

Meanwhile, 8 Sri Lanka National Guard troops of the 242 Brigade of the 24 Division in a special children’s programme entertained kids at ‘Sakalakalei’ pre-school in Thirikkovil and distributed gifts packs and sweets among those kids on Saturday (1) on account of the Children’s Day. Before the end of the programme, 8 SLNG troops painted the pre-school building and cleaned its garden.

Commander, 242 Brigade, Brigadier Anuradha Solangaarachchi, 242 Brigade Civil affairs Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Prashanna de Silva, Commanding Officer, 8 Sri Lanka National Guard, Major Sajeewa Amadooru, Officers and Other Ranks were associated with the event.

Similarly, troops of the 6 Gajaba Regiment organized a special lunch for children at ‘Thilakavathiyar Girls’ Home’ at Kadiraveli where some 37 children are cared along with seven staffers.

In the meantime, an initiative of the 65 Division HQ under the Security Force Headquarters - Wanni on account of the Children’s Day provided dry ration packs to 312 students at Iranamathanagr Roman Catholic GTM School with sponsorship, provided by Colombo-based Shanthi Foundation.

Troops in consultation with the authorities in the school selected the most deserving students for receipt of the relief packs, worth about Rs 1 lakh in total.

Major General Prasad Edirisinghe, General Officer Commanding, 65 Division graced the occasion as the Chief Guest at the invitation of Brigadier Wasantha Bandara, Commander, 651 Brigade.

Meanwhile, 582 Brigade troops in Horana on account of Elders Day and Children's Day offered a hearty lunch treat to resident adults at Swarnapali Elders' Home. Troops also providing music entertained those elders, most of who are physically very weak.

Meanwhile, to coincide with the forthcoming Children's Day, troops of the 65 Division distributed dry ration packs among 312 needy students in Iranamathanagr Roman Catholic GTM School on 25 September 2022.

The 'Shanthi Foundation' in Colombo provided sponsorship for the event at the request of the troops. The event was organized by the 651 Brigade under the directions of Brigadier Wasantha Bandara, Commander 651 Brigade. Major General Prasad Edirisinghe, General Officer Commanding, 65 Division attended the occasion as the Chief Guest. Several Senior Officers, Officers and Other Ranks were present during the event.

Meanwhile, 16 Sri Lanka National Guard troops of the 241 Brigade under the directions of Brigadier Chandra Abeykoon, a 'Shramadana' campaign, was conducted in the proposed child care center for Non-Guardianship Children's Land inside Human Rights Commission building premises.

Troops meanwhile on the same day arranged a delicious lunch for kids studying at Ampara Siyapatha pre-school.

In the meantime, troops of the 24 Gajaba Regiment of the 653 Brigade distributed stories books, school stationeries among 24 kids learning in Crista Keen Pre-school at Periyapandivirichcham, Madu. In addition, troops distributed those incentives among 59 more students studying at Thachchanamaradamadu Maha Vidyalaya.

Similarly, troops of the 18 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment arranged a delicious lunch for children studying in “Vision Hope Child Center" at Pandipuruppu, Kalmune.

In the meantime, 14 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment troops under command to the 641 Brigade of the 64 Division under the Security Force HQ- Mullaittivu, provided lunch for the kids at Karuwalakandal Agastian Pre School with sponsorship provided by Mr Prageeth and Mrs Wasana Perera on account of the children’s day.

Similarly, 19 Gemunu Watch and 5(V) Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment troops under command to the 593 Brigade of the 59 Division of the Security Force HQ- Mullaittivu, conducted a Shramadana campaign to clean the surroundings at Nayapu pre-school, located in Chemmalai East. Troops provided refreshments and gifts to those kids.

The General Officer Commanding, 64 Division, General Officer Commanding 59 Division, Brigade Commanders of 641, 593 Brigades, and Commanding Officers of respective battalions joined the project.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) troops on account of the Children’s Day launched a programme for pre-school kids in Bogaswewa area.

In the meantime, 6 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment troops (SLSR) serving the 572 Brigade of the 57 Division under the Security Force Headquarters - Mullaittivu (SFHQ-MLT) on the Children’s Day launched a cleaning programme in the Vishvamadu Children’s Park in the 572 Brigade area.

Similarly, Security Force Headquarters - East (SFHQ-E) in order to mark the Children’s Day organized an educational tour for kids at Sri Dharmapala pre-school in Welikanda. Following instructions given by Major General Priyantha Jayawardane, Commander, Security Forces - East (SF-E), a total of 43 pre-school kids with their 43 single parent with 3 teachers joined the tour that took them to Gal Viharaya, Watadage, Thiwanka Buddha Statue and several other historic sites in Polonnaruwa before they had fun in the Polonnaruwa children’s park.

Meanwhile, children at Day Care Centre at Horana Ellakandawatta were provided a delicious lunch plus a stock of school accessories on account of the Children’s Day. 582 Brigade Headquarters with the generosity of Brigadier Priyanga Kulathilake, 582 Brigade Commander and all the troops contributed to the cost of the project.

Troops of the 651 Brigade in Mulankavil, Kilinochchi adding their contribution to the Children’s Day distributed a stock of school accessories to needy students at Kaneshipuram Primary School as incentives. Mr M.S Madan, General Manager at Suganthan Sea Farm (Pvt) Ltd at Nachchikuda sponsored the stock of those incentives. 651 Brigade Commander, Brigadier Wasantha Bandara attended the distribution as the Chief Guest.

Meanwhile, 143 Brigade troops of the 14 Division gifted packs of essential school items to 65 needy students at Theruwara primary School in Puttalam on 7 October. For this event, District 306 B Ja-ela Pamunuwa Lions Club provided financial sponsorship.

The event was organized by troops of the 16 Gajaba Regiment under the direction of Brigadier T M F Kichilan, Commander 143 Brigade.