28th July 2022 21:21:45 Hours
One more community development housing project plus an effort to bring economic stability to a deserving family, resident in the general area of Wadinagala in Ampara bore fruit on Monday (25), thanks to the initiatives, taken by the 241 Brigade of the 24 Division HQ under the Security Force HQ-East who built a new house and an income generating roadside kiosk too for the beneficiaries.
At the request of Major General Saliya Amunugama, General Officer Commanding, 24 Division, Dr Shanika Wijayagunasekera, a philanthropist and members of the Lions Club of Kalubowila-District-306 A2 provided financial support for the house construction and purchase of furniture and essentials to the family of Mrs Deepani Sandalanka living in abject poverty.
11 Sri Lanka National Guard (SLNG) troops serving under the 241 Brigade as per guidelines given by the 241 Brigade Commander, Brigadier Chandra Abeykoon and the Commanding Officer, 11 SLNG generously offered their engineering and technical skills and the manpower strength to build this new house to the beneficiary, Mrs Deepani Sandalanka and her family members who are undergoing hardships and hitherto remained without a proper shelter or a source of income.
A brief ceremony, rich with traditions and rituals on Monday (25) warmed the new house and the adjacent tea kiosk, erected by those troops in the presence of the donor, Dr Shanika Wijayagunasekera who participated in the inauguration as the Chief Guest, together with the driving force behind the project, Major General Saliya Amunugama, General Officer Commanding, 24 Division, together with Brigadier Chandra Abeykoon, 241 Brigade Commander, Commanding Officer, 11 SLNG, Officers, Other Ranks and relatives of the beneficiaries.
Dr Shanika Wijayagunasekera has spent about Rs 1 million for the construction project considering the miserable plight of the family after the Army Officers brought the matter to the notice of the donor. In addition, the Lions Club of Kalubowila provided furniture and household essentials to the value of Rs 250,000/= and rest of the furniture and other all essential household items value of Rs. 250, 000/= given by Dr. Shanika Wijayagunasekara, Ravi Perera (Dr. Shanik’s brother) and Mrs Danushka Weerasinghe. (Dr. Shanik’s one of friends) during the simple warming ceremony. The tiny tea kiosk which was also erected by the troops in front of the new house would help the family generate a living on a daily basis.
Lieutenant Colonel Dhammika Weerasinghe, Commanding Officer, 11 Sri Lanka National Guard (SLNG), Lieutenant Colonel Thilak Kumarasiri, Civil Affairs Officer of the 241 Brigade and the Administrative Officer of the Divisional Secretariat-Damana, several invitees and Wadinagala villagers were among those who were present during the warming ceremony.
