23rd June 2023 20:21:37 Hours
Troops of the 16 Gajaba Regiment (GR) and 1 Sri Lanka National Guard (1 SLNG) of the 143 Infantry Brigade under Security Force HQ - West (SFHQ-West) adding their share to the nation-building tasks and fostering ties between the troops and the civilians put up a new house for a well-deserving family in Pradeepagama, Thabbowa after the family's helplessness was brought to the attention of the Commanding Officer of the 16 GR camp.
This noble project was made possible through the generosity of Mr Sahan Rajapaksha who provided necessary monetary assistance and raw materials at the request of the former Commandant of Kala Oya Training School, Brigadier A.M.S. Premawansha RWP RSP USP (Retd). Brigadier T.M.F. Kitchilan RWP RSP, Commander of 143 Infantry Brigade closely supervised the project, caaried out jointly by 16 GR and 1 SLNG troops and guided it to success.
On Sunday (June 18), Major General D.M.K.D.B. Pussella RWP RSP, Commander, SF-West as the Chief Guest at the invitation of Brigadier T.M.F. Kitchilan RWP RSP, Commander, 143 Infantry Brigade during a simple house-warming ceremony symbolically handed over the keys of the new home to the beneficiary, Mrs Vajira Priyangani, a mother of several children but has been undergoing difficulties without a permanent shelter above their heads.
As members of the Maha Sangha went on chanting ‘Seth Pirith’, the day’s Chief Guest, Major General D.M.K.D.B. Pussella RWP RSP and representative sponsors, along with the beneficiary, cut a ribbon and warmed the house and boiled an auspicious milk pot after unveiling a plaque to the same effect. Several gift parcels were also given to the family by the Army at the same occasion.
The donor, Mr Sahan Rajapaksha, Brigadier K. V. N. P. Premaratne RSP USP psc, Brigadier General Staff, SFHQ-West, Brigadier T.M.F. Kitchilan RWP RSP, Commander, 143 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier H.V.A. Somaweera RWP RSP USP, Commandant at Kala Oya Training School, Commanding Officers of 16 GR and 1 SLNG, Second in Commands, Senior Officers, Officers and Other Ranks participated in the warming ceremony.
