On the Eve of New Year, Commander Meets District Reps of Ranaviru Associations

The customary meeting with District representatives of 'Ranaviru Associations', prior to the dawn of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, got underway this morning (11) at the Army Headquarters with the participation of the architect of those committees, General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest.

Those Ranaviru Associations on a concept of the incumbent Commander of the Army were founded on 16th February 2021 at District levels in order to further ensure socio-economic welfare for all retired, medical boarded out, differently-able and family members of fallen War heroes and seek possibilities of resolving any issues or addressing their concerns, if any in close coordination with the Ranaviru Seva Authority, Directorate of Veterans' Affairs and the Directorate of Welfare at the Army Headquarters. Since founding, respective Commanders at Security Force Headquarters level in the past have been in close contact with those District committees for resolution of their issues.

The arrangements at the Army HQ this morning saw award of special New Year gift parcels to those attendees and members of those Ranaviru Associations as symbols that appreciate their dedicated services in the past for the best interests of the motherland. The day's Chief Guest handed over the first set of those gift parcels inaugurating the day's proceedings. It was joined by the Chief of Staff, Major General Vikum Liyanage, Adjutant General, Major General Deepal Pussella, Director Ranavru Seva Authority Brigadier Mangala Mayadunne and a few other Senior Officers.

Executive members from 22 Districts, representing Kegalle, Kalutara, Anuradhapura, Matara, Kandy, Moneragala, Galle, Nuwara Eliya, Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Colombo, Ratanpura, Matale, Vavuniya, Gampaha, Badulla, Hambantota, Trincomlaee, Mullaittivu, Batticaloa, Puttalam and Kurunegala attended the day's event.

Prior to the commencement of the proceedings, a two-minute silence was observed in memory of fallen War Heroes and civil staffers after recital of the National Anthem and the Army song. The Army Chief on arrival at the venue was received by Major General Vikum Liyanage, Chief of Staff together with Director Ranaviru Seva Authority along with several Senior Officers.

A brief address, delivered by the Army Chief outlined the objective of the meeting and appealed them to take up their concerns at SFHQ levels for the benefit of those retired, injured and family members of fallen ones.