08th July 2021 21:00:43 Hours
Major General Wasantha Madola, Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) of the Army and Chairman, Board of Management (BoM) at Ranaviru Apparel (RVAPL) in order to get firsthand information on the operational progress of both Alawwa and Yakkala Ranaviru Apparel Factories visited those locations on Thursday (8).
The visiting RVAPL Chairman was warmly received by Brigadier Azad Izadeen, Commandant, RVAPL together with Brigadier Amila Wasage, Deputy Commandant and Major Budhika Bandara Factory Manager (overlooking) in the company of several other senior Officers. A drive-past Guard Turnout presented on arrival saluted the visiting DCOS in accordance with military traditions.
The visiting DCOS was invited to lay the foundation cornerstone for construction of the new Officers’ Mess at RVAPL, Alawwa as the Chief Guest for the occasion. The Corps of Engineer Services, responsible for its construction afterwards briefed the visiting senior officer on the project. During the same occasion, the visiting Chairman gave instructions and inquired into different aspects of the project. He was also invited to leave memories by planting a mango sapling in the Alawwa factory compound.
On the same day (8) the Deputy Chief of Staff made a visit to the Ranaviru Apparel at Yakkala at the request of the Commandant, RVAPL and joined the cornerstone-laying ceremony for construction of the proposed new building complex.
Brigadier Azad Izadeen, Commandant, RVAPL together with Brigadier Amila Wasage, Deputy Commandant and Factory Manager Colonel Titus Jayakody in the company of several other senior Officers received the visiting DCOS warmly and invited to receive the salute in the drive-past Guard Turnout presented on arrival by the troops of the Guard Company of 8 Sri Lanka Light Infantry.
As the auspicious minute struck, the visiting Chief Guest was invited to lay the foundation-stone for construction of a new accommodation building of 100 ft long and 20 ft wide where differently able soldiers serving in this Army-owned Garment Factory could be housed.
The Factory at Yakkala was established two decades ago as a rehabilitation project in order to employ wounded War Heroes who are physically handicapped but still willing to offer their services.
The DCOS during his stay shared a few thoughts with troops of the Corps of Engineer Services, expected to complete the construction project and provided some guidelines. Later on the day’s Chief Guest had a look at the farm village inside the factory premises before he was invited to plant a Mango sapling as a symbol of memory.
Ending the day’s itinerary at Yakkala the DCOS also extended his sincere gratitude to the Commandant and All Ranks, including differently able War Heroes at the RVAPL and praised them for the success of the factory.
A cross section representing all Officers and Other Ranks serving the RVAPL factories at Alawwa and Yakkala were associated with the day’s arrangements.
