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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

08th April 2016 21:15:09 Hours

Panagoda Ceremony Distributes One More Segment of Virusara Privilege Card

Another phase of the ongoing award of ‘Virusara’ Privilege Card to 1560 family members of fallen War Heroes and disable War Heroes, resident in the Western Province took place this morning (8) at Panagoda.

1373 (Army), 106 (Sailors), 26 (Police), 45 (Air Force) and 10 (Civil Security Department) personnel during the ceremony, headed by Hon Ruwan Wijewardena, State Minister of Defence under this phase, received ‘Virusara’ Privilege Cards under the Phase - IV. 

The ‘Virusara’ Privilege Card which offers a wide assortment of benefits in more than 45 state and private sector services, such as tangible discounts on medicine, food varieties, transport, hospital treatment, loans, educational courses, etc also adds recognition to the invaluable services of War Heroes. 

Hon Ruwan Wijewardena, State Minister of Defence, Eng Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Secretary Defence, Secretary to State Ministry of Defence Mr A.P.G Kithsiri, Mrs Anoma Fonseka, Chairperson, Ranaviru Seva Authority (RSA), Major General Milinda Peiris, Chief of Staff, Chiefs of Staff of Navy and Air Force, Mr Chandrarathne Pallegama, Director, Civil Security Department, Major General Amal Karunasekara, Colonel of the Regiment, SLLI, Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe, Commander, Security Force Headquarters - West and a host of invitees graced the day’s event.   

A warm welcome accorded to the visiting Minister set the stage ready for commencement of the day’s programme after lighting the traditional oil lamp at the auditorium. 

Implemented by the Ranaviru Seva Authority (RSA) under the aegis of Mrs Anoma Fonseka, Chairperson, RSA, the project conceptualized by State Minister of Defence Hon Ruwan Wijewardene with the blessings of the President Maithripala Sirisena, has been continuing as a welfare measure of the RSA since January, this year as a tribute and a recognition of the services, rendered by War Heroes in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and the Civil Security Department. 

Launch of the Phase - III of the ‘Virusara’ Privilege Card for War Heroes at provincial levels took place recently at Regimental Headquarters Gajaba Regiment, Saliyapura, Gemunu Watch, Kuruwita, Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Boyagane and Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment at Ambepussa. 

Over 3 lakhs of family members of fallen War Heroes and disable ones are entitled to receive those benefits when the project completes its mission in six phases by April, this year.