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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

12th July 2021 17:40:14 Hours

Army Seva Vanitha Ladies Meet Army Chief on 37th Anniversary Day

The alternative ‘Mother Care’ wing of the organization, the Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU) at the Army Headquarters which has left indelible marks as a robust welfare wing, is 37 years of age today (12) and determined to further broaden their welfare and well-being scope.

The low-profile anniversary commemoration with release of a special pictorial magazine, symbolic award of 10 laptops to students of Army families and a lunch treat to 150 patients at National Institute of Mental Health Half-Way Home, Mulleriyawa Mental Health Hospital dominated the day’s anniversary itinerary in view of prevailing COVID-19 health practices and guidelines.

The main highlight of the agenda included the presentation of the maiden copy of the commemorative magazine ‘Mehewaraka Asiriya’ (glory of the service) to the organization’s guiding light, General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army at the Commander’s office.

The incumbent ASVU President, Mrs Sujeewa Nelson who has taken reins since August 2019 and has been tirelessly devoted to the cause, together with few Executive ASVU Members, Mrs Shyamala Bandara, Vice President - ASVU, Mrs Sumali Madola, Secretary - ASVU, Mrs Shyamini Kotuwegoda, Assistant Secretary - ASVU, Mrs Deepa Handunmulla, Public Relation Officer - ASVU, Mrs Nelum Waduge, Assistant Public Relation Officer - ASVU and Mrs Chama Wanasingha ,Project Officer -ASVU called at the Commander’s Office and presented the maiden copy of the ‘Mehewaraka Asiriya’ magazine to General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army. The magazine sums up and pictorially documents the series of welfare assignments the ASVU has undertaken to-date under Mrs Sujeewa Nelson’s able guidance as its President.

General Shavendra Silva extending his heartfelt congratulations on the ASVU’s 37th anniversary day told the cream of the ASVU meeting him about the outstanding services the ladies have been rendering for the benefit of great warriors, family members and civil staffers in the organization for so many years.

“I am pleased to acknowledge that the ASVU expanding its services well beyond its traditional boundaries has become a force behind the Army as a tower of strength, and your most recent dedicated project, the Seeduwa Intermediate Care Centre for COVID-19 patients was a notable achievement because of your devotion and concerned thoughtfulness within a set time frame. I also wish you could initiate new welfare strategies and further broaden your national level engagements,” the Commander commented during the brief interaction.

On the same occasion, General Shavendra Silva in order to facilitate the functional aspect of the ASVU’s proposed ‘Flower Boutique by Army’, awarded a valuable tab device to Mrs Sujeewa Nelson.

The Army Chief also inquired into the status quo of the ongoing Hotel and Reception Hall construction project on Maitland Place in Colombo and expressed his optimism about its benefits to Army personnel serving in Colombo and its suburbs. He also wanted ASVU members and ASVU office administrators to assess the ongoing work in the above project soon and seek possibilities of expediting its completion.

General Shavendra Silva commenting on future strategies told the ladies that the Army would need the ASVU support in future as well since plans are afoot to build more houses for Army personnel on the directives given by HE the President.

Brigadier Thushara Balasooriya, Brigadier Coordination, Colonel Aruna Wijekoon, Colonel Administration and Lieutenant Colonel I.D.S Dharmarathne, Staff Officer 1 (Project) at the ASVU were also associated with the meeting at the Commander’s Office.