ARFRO and RFCS take initiative to organize pow-wow Widows &; their children talk to Defence minister

Afriendly meet to discuss and find ways and means to redress grievances and difficulties of the widows of War Heroes, if any, was recently held at Royal College auditorium, under the auspices of Defence Minister Thilak Marapana.

This cordial meet, first of its kind has been organized jointly by Ranaviru Family Counselling Service (RFCS) and Association of Retired Flag Rank Officers (ARFRO) which is actively associated with welfare work related to widows and their off-springs.

The meet on Saturday (4), attended by several hundreds of widows, most of who are relatively very young with their children, was graced by Defence Minister Thilak Marapana and Mrs. Marapana, Secretary Defence Austin Fernando and Mrs. Fernando, Army\'s Chief of Staff Major General L.C.R Gonnewardene, Air Force Commander Air Vice Marshal Donald Perera, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri, ARFRO Chairman Air Vice Marshal Harry Goonetileke (retd) and several Senior Officers of three armed forces who listened patiently to these bereaved widows.

During the meet, these widows directly presented their grievances and needs to Mrs. Thilak Marapana and Mrs. Austin Fernando during their private audiences with these ladies. Minister Marapana assured these widows of all assistance and went on to explain a series of welfare measures now being implemented by his government in the interests of widows and their family members.

This rare tete-a-tete, considered by the enormous interest and enthusiasm displayed by affected widows, provided an oasis for those who needed immediate and long-term solutions and redresses for their problems in the absence of their beloved ones who paid supreme sacrifice for the motherland in their fight against terrorists.

In addition, widows selected on provincial basis were allowed to air their views and problems in open before authorities present on the occasion.

This well-attended pow-wow between widows and authorities commenced after last post was sounded, to follow with a two-minute silence to memorize fallen heroes of Armed Forces and Police. Air Vice Marshal Harry Goonetileke (retd), who is also the Chairman for Ranaviru Family Counselling Service (RFCS) and took the initiative in this direction, welcomed the guests.

Mrs. Reeta Hemapala, Resources Officer (Rupavahini) and several other experts in fields like nutrition and psychiatry also addressed the meeting.