Highlanders Initiate Welfare Projects with Commander of the Army as Chief Guest

The inauguration of the Gemunu Watch (GW) Regimental HQ-initiated several welfare projects, including a donation of artificial limbs to wounded War Heroes, distribution of prizes for lottery winners and opening of the state-of-the art new Holiday Home got underway on Sunday morning (6) at Nanpareil area, headed by Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army and Head of the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak.

The day's sequence of inaugurations commenced after the day’s Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva was invited to warm the new holiday bungalow, ‘Peacock Feather’ constructed by GW troops in the general area of Nonpareil in the Ratnapura district with funds, made jointly available by the GW Seva Vanitha Unit and the GW Regimental Headquarters after religious blessings invoked the project.

The new welfare facility with air conditioned rooms in Nanpareil, Belihuloya was built by 7 Corps of Engineer Service (CES) troops with the manpower, made available by GW troops. The Seva Vanitha Unit at the RHQ in Kuruwita footed the majority of the expenditure, and the new facility would remain open to the public as well at reasonable price. Setting out in a picturesque backdrop, the day’s protagonist, together with the Chairperson, GW Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs Avanthi Abeynayake cut a ribbon, unveiled a plaque and warmed the new holiday resort, valued at Rs 8.9 m at the invitation of the Colonel of the Regiment, GW, Major General Chula Abeynayake, Colonel of the Regiment, GW and Commander Security Forces-West.

Majority share of funds to this welfare gesture, equipped with satellite TV channel facilities, hot water, luxurious furniture, etc, has been provided by the GW Seva Vanitha Unit, chaired by Mrs Avanthi Abeynayake.

Joining one more vital project, the day’s Chief Guest was then invited to provide sets of new artificial limbs to wounded GW War Heroes on the occasion. Through the coordination of Colonel Rizan Hamidon and Mrs Mumtaz Hamidon, several philanthropists had come forward to foot the cost of those artificial limbs for those GW War Heroes. Next was the award of 1st few prizes to lottery winners in the GW's welfare fund-raiser, ‘Minipura Gemunu Nada’ Trade Exhibition and Musical Extravaganza - 2019 Lottery Draw that took place in July, this year at the RHQ.

Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva as the Chief Guest was invited afterwards to award the first prize in the Lottery Draw, a Mahindra Electric Car, worth about Rs1.9 million to the winner of the ticket no: 210377, a Mahindra three wheeler to the 2nd winner and a Mahindra motorbike to the 3rd winner.

Towards the end of the day's itinerary, the day’s Chief Guest was invited to officially launch the ‘Highlanders’ Eco & Adventure Holiday Resort website (www.highlandersecoresort.lk). Several group photographs taken on the occasion added memories to Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva’s visit to the location and participation in inaugural occasions.

Senior Officers including Commander, Security Forces - Jaffna, Major General Senarath Bandara, Commander, Security Forces - Wanni, Major General Priyantha Perera, Commander, Security Forces - Mullaittivu, Major General Jagath Rathnayake, Commander, Security Forces - Central, Major General Kumara Jayapathirane, Senior Officers of the Regiment, Senior Officers, senior members of the GW Seva Vanitha Unit, Officers and Other Ranks were associated with the day’s proceedings in keeping with health directions and guidelines.

Consolation prizes distributed among Lottery Draw winners included a Mahindra Electric Car, Mahindra Three Wheeler, Mahindra Motorbike, scooter, LED TV, smart phones and many other household items.buy footwear | Nike Running