09th March 2022 21:05:00 Hours
The Indian High Commission-sponsored 35-day long ‘Artificial Limb Fitment Camp’, staged by the Shree Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), in Jaipur, India for the benefit of handicapped war veterans, Policemen and their family members at Ragama Ranaviru Sevana, drew to an appreciative close today (07) in a brief ceremony, graced by Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva, Rana Viru Seva Authority (RVSA), Chairman, Major General Nandana Senadeera (Retd), RVSA Vice Chairperson Mrs Sonia Kottegoda, Indian Defence Advisor in Sri Lanka, Captain Vikas Sood, Indian High Commission officials, BMVSS team members, military and Police officers, war veterans and their family members and distinguished invitees.
Founded in 1975, Jaipur-based BMVSS through the sponsorship extended by the Indian High Commissioner, His Excellency Gopal Baglay of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka as one of the world's best producers of famous 'Jaipur Limbs' began its ‘Artificial Limb Fitment Camp’ in Sri Lanka exactly 35 days ago to coincide with both the 75th India's Independence anniversary and the Sri Lanka's 74th Independence Day (4 Feb) anniversary at the request of the RVSA and the Ministry of Defence, in which Sri Lanka's handicapped War Heroes, Policemen, Civil Defence Service members and their disabled family members were also benefited.
The concluding ceremony, addressed by Major General Nandana Senadheera (retd), Chairman, Ranaviru Seva Authority who was instrumental in making the project a resounding success as per guidelines given by the Ministry of Defence thanked the High Commission of India for its excellent facilitation of the project and the RVSA staff for the support.
The key speech delivered by the Secretary Defence commended the BMVSS roles world-wide and the Indian Defence Advisor in Sri Lanka Captain Vikas Sood in his brief speech recalled reciprocal projects of both countries and gestures of goodwill that prevail between both lands. BMVSS Officials during their brief talks extended best wishes to all supporters to the project.
During their 35 days of stay in Sri Lanka, the BMVSS succeeded in producing 430 prosthetic limbs for above-mentioned categories and their family members. Accordingly, 261 Army soldiers, 4 sailors, 19 Air Force personnel, 73 Police and STF Personnel, 43 Next of Kin of Armed Forces and Police, and 30 personnel of Department of Social Services were among the benefiaries who received those prosthetic accessories within those 35 days.
Towards the conclusion of the appreciative ceremony, General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) presented commemorative gifts and certificates to BMVSS technical experts in order to appreciate their services, rendered during their stay here for this noble cause. The vote of thanks was raised by the Director Rana Viru Seva Authority, Major General (Retd) Kithsiri Ekanayake and the invitees had a visit to the field workshop at the RVSA afterwards.
