Commander Virtually Opens Army-Built House for a Needy Family

Members of “Lieutenant Colonel W.D Udaya Priyantha De Silva Memorial Friends’ Circle” with technical skills of Corps of Engineers Services erected a new house for a deserving family at Ambalangoda and warmed it on Friday (31) afternoon during a simple ceremony, rich with religious rites and rituals.

None other than the Colonel of the Regiment, Gajaba Regiment, General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, adding due recognition to the memory of Lieutenant Colonel W.D Udaya Priyantha De Silva, for whose name the Friends’ Circle, has been dedicated virtually inaugurated the new house at Ambalangoda through zoom technology in order to vest it with the beneficiary, Mr K.A Jagath Nishantha, a father of five children who has been affected with serious economic hardships.

During the virtual opening, General Shavendra Silva extending best wishes to the beneficiaries did not forget to recall the memories of his one-time Officer Commanding of the Gajaba Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel W.D Udaya Priyantha De Silva who laid his life in Nedunkerni on 16 May 1997 during the ‘Jaya Sikuru’ operation just after he shared lunch with General Shavendra Silva who was his Commanding Officer at that time.

The new house, worth about Rs 7 million was completely erected by Engineer troops of the Army as per guidelines given by the Commander of the Army with financial support of the “Lieutenant Colonel W.D Udaya Priyantha De Silva Memorial Friends’ Circle”, headed by Mr Piyal Lamahewa who sought Army assistance for the construction and invited General Shavendra Silva to be the Chief Guest for the warming ceremony.

Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku was present at Ambalangoda and joined the warming ceremony of the new house during the simple ceremony.

Major General Swarna Botota, General Officer Commanding, 61 Division enabled technically-skilled engineering and other troops to complete the project with funds and resources, made available by Mr Piyal Lamahewa, Head of the “Lieutenant Colonel W.D Udaya Priyantha De Silva Memorial Friends’ Circle.”

Troops in the Corps of Engineer Service Regiment and 14 Gemunu Watch under command to the 61 Division of the Security Force HQ - West jointly constructed this new home for this deserving family in Godahena, Ambalangoda after the request to that effect was made to the Army Chief.

After the plight of poverty-stricken Mr K.A Jagath Nishantha’s living condition was brought to the notice, the sponsors in order to mitigate the costs turned to the Commander of the Army in search of Army manpower and their construction skills for erection of this much-needed house.

In accordance with ancient traditions, the day’s Guest of Honour, Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku, Deputy Chief of Staff and sponsors at the auspicious minute joined the oil-lamp lighting and milk-pot boiling rituals, together with beneficiaries.

The project was initiated during the tenure of Major General Dammi Hewage when he was serving as a General Officer Commanding 61 Division prior to his appointment as Director General Infantry.

Major General Samantha Silva, Commander Security Forces - Central, Major General Dammi Hewage, Director General Infantry, Major General Prasanna Ranawaka General Officer Commanding, 12 Division, Brigadier Shantha Kumara, Director, Engineer Services, Brigadier Upul Kodithuwakku, Commander, 613 Brigade and Senior Officers were also associated with the event.