Sri Lanka Army War Heroes will shortly be able to receive Ayurvedic medical treatment at Ragama Ranaviru Sevana, following an initiative taken by Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army in response to the concerns of disable War Heroes.
The initial concept for introduction of Ayurvedic medical system to the Army and disable War Heroes struck the Commander’s mind when he, on an earlier occasion, visited Ragama Ranaviru Sevana and spoke to a couple of disable War Heroes who were by then, receiving Ayurvedic treatment for their war-related disabilities after visiting Ayurvedic physicians serving outside the Ranaviru Sevana in Ragama.
On the same occasion, some of those War Hero rehabilitees requested the visiting Army Commander to make such Ayurvedic services available to them within the precincts of the Ranaviru Sevana complex itself since such outside trips away solely for Ayurvedic medication are terribly tiresome and time consuming. However, the Commander, as an immediate step, managed to obtain the services of an Ayurvedic physician from the reputed Horiwila lineage to the Ranaviru Sevana thrice a week.
Wednesday’s historic introduction of the age-old Ayurvedic therapy system to the Sri Lanka Army whose War Heroes are very much familiar with western medicine practices, took place when the Minister of Indigenous Medicine Mr Piyasena Gamage, Deputy Minister of Indigenous Medicine Mr Pandu Bandaranayake, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army and several other invitees laid the cornerstones for construction of the new ‘Veda Medura’ (Centre for Treatment) in the Ranaviru Sevana Rehabilitation Centre complex at Ragama. The cost of the entire project is to be borne by the Department of Indigenous Medicine.
Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jayasuriya received the Minister of Indigenous Medicine Mr Piyasena Gamage, the Chief Guest on the occasion along with his Deputy Minister and conducted all distinguished guests to the venue of the proposed construction.
At the auspicious minute, the Chief Guest, in the company of the Army Commander and others laid foundation stones. Minutes later, the visiting Ministers and other distinguished guests planted medicinal herbs in the compound, adding further significance to the historic occasion as a symbolic gesture.
The public meeting that followed the foundation stone-laying ceremony took place at the Ranaviru Sevana auditorium where the Minister of Indigenous Medicine Mr Piyasena Gamage paid tribute to the Army for its unmatched role and service in safeguarding the country from terrorism.
“Though some might have forgotten their sacrifices in a very short while, it is our duty to pay our gratitude to their dedication. Our Ministry therefore took steps to build this well-equipped indigenous medical centre with residential facilities to pay our thanks to those War Heroes.” The Minister further added that the Commander’s assistance in this connection was highly appreciated.
‘Since the Army, as an organization free from corruption and with high level of competence, is fully able to construct this new ‘Veda Medura’ on their own, my Ministry has decided to give the entire construction to the Army as they have proved their skills elsewhere as far as the country’s development work is concerned’, the Minister quipped.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya in his brief speech to the occasion spoke high of the contribution, made by Ministry of Indigenous Medicine, in response to the request made by him as the Commander, highlighting the need for such medical facilities for War Heroes at Ragama.
Here is the text of the Commander’s speech;
“Today is a special day for all members of the Sri Lanka Army who tirelessly fought against the 30-year long terrorism, bringing permanent peace to the motherland. It brings me great pleasure as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army to see the foundation stone and preliminary work being launched to put up an Ayurvedic Veda Medura at the Ranaviru Sevana where disable War Heroes are under rehabilitation.
Traditionally, the western medical treatment is being granted more prominence in the Army and efforts taken to cure and rehabilitate disable War Heroes in accordance with that school of medicine are also commendable.
It is obvious that we, Sri Lankans who inherit a proud history, also possess a valuable indigenous medical system and we often hear about surprising instances where disabilities through indigenous medicine are fully cured and put to right.
We are fortunate to launch this service for our War Heroes who selflessly fought for the country and continue to remain disable for the rest of their lives while undergoing western medical treatment.
At this moment I recall with sincere gratitude the contributions made by the Ministry of Indigenous Medicines to this worthy project under Mr Piyasena Gamage, Minister of Indigenous Medicine. Further, HE the President declared the year 2010 to be the “Year of Indigenous Medicine” as the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine has now declared the first week of August to be the ‘National Ayurvedic Week’ with a view to promoting this science of life that ensures prevention and longevity.
To make HE, the President’s goal a reality, Minister of Indigenous Medicine Mr Piyasena Gamage has organized a number of projects, the first one being this worthy one. Hon Minister your magnanimity shown for this project will remain in our minds and be remembered for ever. I also wish that all the efforts of HE the President and Hon Minister in this sphere meet with great success.
I would also like to express my gratitude towards all those who are offering assistance to make the lives of our War Heroes better and better since they had dedicated their valuable lives to protect our national identity and spirits of our nation. I also wish courage and good luck for disable War Heroes to overcome their challenges in life, identical to the way they brought peace to the motherland by winning against the war. Finally, I wish you all a bright future”, the Commander concluded.
Ministry Secretary Mr Dassanayake, Commissioner of Indigenous Medicine Ms Ramani Gunawardane, Assistant Commissioner, Ms Malkanthi Ekanayaka, senior officers, officers and a number of state officials attended the ceremony.
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