The seventh phase of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), initiated district-wise War Hero Housing project under "Api Wenuwen Api" Fund saw its inauguration at Kalutara on Saturday (24) under the aegis of HE, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces where keys for 29 new houses were delivered to next of kin of fallen War Heroes and a section of disable War Heroes, resident both in Kalutara and Galle districts.
President Rajapaksa gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest at the invitation of Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development presented the first set of keys of the new house at N0 151, Gamagoda Rd, Rajawatte, Kalutara South, to the wife of the fallen War Hero, Private K. G. R Sandaruwan of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) in a symbolic gesture to herald the onset of the day's proceedings. Other 28 new houses elsewhere in the districts had their own separate house-warming ceremonies after keys were ceremonially accepted.
The novel project, aimed at building 700 houses for affected War Heroes or their next of kin, mostly in their own plots of land, is the brainchild of Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and has already launched six phases in districts, like Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Hambantota, Moneragala, Badulla, Ampara, Galle, Batticaloa and Trincomalee. Today's ceremony saw 28 new homes in Kalutara and one more house in Galle district being formally inaugurated as a special tribute to the memory of the fallen ones and commitment of other disable War Heroes.
The main ceremony at Kalutara commenced after President Rajapaksa unveiled a plaque at late Private Sandaruwan's new house at Rajawatte as Maha Sangha invoked blessings, to be followed by other traditional rites and rituals, including lighting of the oil lamp. President Rajapaksa after cutting a ribbon inaugurated it along with the widow, Mrs P. D Sandamali of the fallen SLLI War Hero and accompanying members of the grieving family. To mark the occasion, a stock of furniture, household items and several other gifts were also delivered to the family of the fallen War Hero by the President. Before the Chief Guest's exit from the new home, he shared a couple of thoughts and a cup of tea with the beneficiaries.
25 Army War Heroes or their next of kin received those keys of the houses while 4 other houses were shared among War Heroes of other sister services. Of those recipients, six War Heroes of the Army have made the supreme sacrifice for the sake of country's territorial integrity. All those Army recipients including the disables belonged to Sri Lanka Light Infantry, Sri Lanka Engineers, Gemunu Watch, Gajaba Regiment, Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Special Forces, Military Intelligence Corps, Engineer Service Regiment, Sri Lanka Electrical Mechanical Engineers,General Services Corps, President's Guard and Sri Lanka National Guards.
President's Secretary Mr Lalith Weerathunga, Secretary Defence and Urban Development Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Governor for Western Province, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Chief Ministers, Secretaries, District Secretaries, Chief of Defence Staff, Tri Service Commanders, Inspector General of the Police, Mrs Ioma Rajapaksa, President, MoD Seva Vanitha Unit, Spouses of Tri Service Commanders, Chairperson, Rana Viru Seva Authority and a large gathering of invitees graced the occasion.
Adding a new feature to the occasion, 200 school children from the district including some disable students on wheelchairs were also awarded special gifts by the President and other invitees after they were provided with a special breakfast before the public ceremony got underway for distribution of keys.
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