18th March 2022 14:08:00 Hours
Off his day’s busy schedule, General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army this morning (18) made a bee-line to Kendaliyaddapaluwa in Ganemulla and added symbolic value to the memory of a fallen War Hero in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel by vesting a new house with his family members, built at a cost of about Rs 1.5 m.
Lieutenant Colonel K.L.K Nanayakkara of 7 Gemunu Watch while fighting against LTTE terrorists in order to liberate Mullaittivu area from terrorist grip laid down his life for the country on 1st February 2009 around 6.00 am following a terrorist attack targeting his life.
His own troops, 7 Gemunu Watch (GW) took the initiative of erecting the new house jointly with the Directorate of Veterans’ Affairs with funds made available to the value of Rs 1.5 m. The project got to a start on 19 June 2020 but due to COVID-19 epidemic its construction process was delayed.
Phase No 5 of the Directorate of Veterans’ Affairs of the Commander’s special house construction project spent Rs 12 lakhs for the new house while the GW Regimental Headquarters allocated Rs 3 lakhs. The widow, Mrs P Iroshini with their student daughter of 15 years of age, was in need of a suitable house as their only daughter was just 2 years of age when the War Hero, Lieutenant Colonel K.L.K Nanayakkara laid his life for the country.
The day’s Chief Guest, General Shavendra Silva on arrival was welcomed by the only daughter and the Colonel of the Regiment, GW before religious observances got underway. As members of the Maha Sangha began chanting of ‘Seth Pirith’, the daughter, Sethmi Ayendra Nanayakkara (15) received the symbolic key to the new house before she cut a ribbon in the company of General Shavendra Silva and warmed the new house.
After inauguration, all distinguished visitors joined the traditional oil lamp lighting and observed traditional rites and rituals. At the same time, General Shavendra Silva awarded a special gift to the family and wished them good luck in future.
To be in line with the Commander’s ‘War Forward Strategy 2020 - 2025’, arrangements are underway to construct as many houses as possible for the benefit of families of Fallen War Heroes, injured War Heroes and serving War Heroes in a bid to provide with them decent housing facilities and improve their living conditions.
Senior Officers including, Major General Lal Chandrasiri, Colonel of the Regiment, Gemunu Watch and Commander, Security Forces - East and Major General Kithsiri Liyanage, Commander, Security Forces - West, Major General Samantha Wickremasena, General Officer Commanding, 14 Division, Brigadier Manjula Mayadunne, Director Veterans’ Affairs attended the warming ceremony at Ganemulla.
