A house that is being built for Rizana's family and will soon be completed. Army personnel entrusted with the construction of the house are tirelessly working so that her family could move in by the end of this month.
While on death row in the Saudi prison, Rizana is reported to have said her dream was to live in a decent house with her siblings and parents. She nurture the dream of sending her brothers to school but sadly her fate was sealed and she did not live to see her dream come true. Born to a family that was poverty stricken, she was packed off to an unknown land to slave and die a horrific death.
Rizana's death has taught us many lessons. Even though it's a tad too late she taught us the value of taking care of family.
The house for Rizana's family is taking shape under the able hands of the SL Army's 5th Artillery Regiment and 15 Light Infantry. Commanding Officers Left. Col. Lilan Ranchagoda and Left. Col. Tiral De Silva are overseeing the construction under the direction of 22 Division Brigade Commander Brigadier Aruna Wanniarachchi and 224 Brigade Commander Col. Vikum Liyanage are sparing no pains to make Rizana's dream come true. The construction of the new house began in January, and the foundation stone was laid by the 22 Division Brigade Commander Brig. Aruna Wanniarachchi on Friday, January 25.
The chief incumbent of the Seruwila Raja Maha Viharaya, Kalyanawansa Sect Anunayake, Ven. Seruwawila Saranakiththi Thera and other religious leaders representing all faiths were present on the occasion to invoke blessings.
Among the many visitors were First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister, Dilan Perera who paid a visit to the family about two weeks ago.
The house is built on half an acre of land that belonged to Rizana's mother, a few metres away from their old home, the thatched hut where the family still lives.
Following Rizana's beheading on January 6, the eldest of her younger siblings, a brother was offered a job by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Aged 22 he is now working in Trincomalee at the Immigration and Emigration branch office.
The two younger sisters are still schooling at Sathinagar Vidyalaya in Muttur, which Rizana too attended as a child. The eldest is studying for her GCE Advanced Level examination.
Their house is almost complete with only the plastering and other finishing touches to be done. Rizana's wishes are coming true and her family will soon be able to live in a decently built house. (Courtesy: Sunday Observer)
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