Attaching phenomenal importance once again to the selfless sacrifices, hitherto made by tri-service War Heroes in the fight against terrorism, the ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ (be together for all) project of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, as one more segment of its ongoing mammoth house construction scheme for tri-servicemen, vested 125 more new houses in War Heroes at a ceremony held this morning (25) at Wayamba C.W.W Kannangara Maha Vidyalaya grounds at Mallawapitiya in Kurunegala.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces symbolically, warmed the new house of the Sailor P.M.C Pushpakumara of Sri Lanka Navy at Hindagolla, Meegolla in Kurunegala, in the company of Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary to Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Urban Development and Mrs Ioma Rajapaksa, Chairperson, MoD Seva Vanitha Unit, the towers of strength behind realization of the mega project and inaugurated the distribution of those houses.
This is the 15th phase of the Ranaviru Housing Project (2nd Project) which has so far built houses in 18 Districts. Before Friday’s (25) opening, in the year 2010, 27 such houses, built in the Kurunegala District itself, were distributed by the President.
83 Army personnel, 27 Sailors and 15 Airmen or their relatives received keys for those 125 new houses in Kurunegala under the 15th Phase.
The mega project, brought to completion with expertise and labour skills provided by tri-service personnel, is carried out under the direct supervision of the Secretary Defence, supported by Mrs Ioma Rajapaksa who frequently inspects and coordinates the project. Each house thus constructed is valued at about Rs 4.5 million.
Financial assistance and funds raised under the ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ Fund of the MoD are used for the project. The ‘Api Wenuwen Api’, launched in 2009 as a tribute, aims at building several thousands of such houses for the greater benefit of veteran War Heroes and members of the families who were affected in the humanitarian operations in the recent past.
Members of the Maha Sangha and clergy, Secretary to President Mr Lalith Weerathunga, Ministers, Governor for Wayamba Mr Tissa R Balalla, Chief Minister for Wayamba Province Mr Dayasiri Jayasekara, Deputy Ministers, Parliamentarians, Chief of Defence Staff, Army, Navy and Air Force Commanders, Inspector General of the Police, MoD officials, Chief of Staff of the Army, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, members of the MoD Seva Vanitha Unit, and a large gathering were associated with the day’s ceremony.
After the first set of keys was delivered to the first recipient, the simultaneous distribution of keys to all the houses in the District were given away to the recipients, including family members of fallen War Heroes and a few wheelchair ridden War Heroes.
President also distributed gift parcels among school students after the main ceremony.
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