Published on - 5/15/2004
The fully-equipped new library complex at Yakkala Ranviru Apparels factory, managed by Army\'s Directorate of Rehabilitation, was ceremonially opened today (14) by Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army Lt. Gen L. P Balagalle, who graced the occasion as Chief Guest also to coincide with award of merits to Best Machine Operator and best Supervisor.
The Ranaviru Apparels, an initiative taken in 1993 as a humanitarian approach to train and help thousands of disabled soldiers of the Army, saw its birth in 1997 with 90 differently able soldiers and 25 sewing machines, to begin with. Within a matter of one year of its inception, Ranaviru Apparels blossomed into a fully-fledged factory, run with 250 sewing machines working on six production lines and the overall cost hitherto spent on the project stands at Rs.42 million, a considerable part of which was donated by all ranks of the Army and philanthropists. Exclusively thanks to their dedication, determination and not least to their credit, 65 percent of the uniforms and dresses needed for the Army is now produced with the help of the hands of these differently-able soldiers at Yakkala Ranaviru Apparels. To-date an estimated 650 soldiers employed in this project draw their legitimate Army salary plus attendance allowances and other remunerations. The library facilities will enormously help increase the technical know-how on latest tailoring and sewing techniques and also the general knowledge of those soldiers on a variety of subjects.
In his address to the occasion, Lt. Gen Balagalle said that this library facility would help them improve their knowledge on various subjects.
Chief of Staff Major Gen S. H. S Kottegoda and several Senior Officers graced the occasion.
