Welfare Facilities at Manning Town Upgraded & Further Expanded

Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army at the invitation of Mrs Janaki Liyanage, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU) further broadened the scope of welfare for Army personnel, resident in Manning Town married quarters premises in Narahenpita and vested the recently-expanded and upgraded 'Seva Vanitha Budget Centre’ complex in them during a simple inaugural ceremony on Thursday (28).

The new ‘Seva Vanitha Budget Centre’ consists of a mini supermarket, bakery, juice bar, beauty salon, barbershop for males and a tailor shop and the completely-renovated storied building has been equipped with a mini banquet hall that can be used for social gatherings, functions, etc.

The day’s Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage along with the ASVU President Mrs Janaki Liyanage, on arrival was welcomed by Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku, Chief of Staff, Mrs Shiromala Kodithuwakku, Vice President, ASVU and Chairperson, SLLI-SVU and ushered to the new complex where he was invited to unveil a plaque and cut a ribbon while ‘Seth Pirith’ chanting of the Maha Sangha got underway to shower blessings on the project.

Afterwards, the premises was warmed by the Army Chief and his retinue, performing a series of traditional rites including the oil-lamp lighting in accordance with the age-old traditions.

Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage was then invited into the mini supermarket-type grocery, beauty culture centre and the new barbershop subsequently where he had friendly chats with staffers working in each section and underlined the need to maintain the highest standards and quality of their services to the customers. After a while, the Army Chief had a close look at the mini banquet hall on the first floor and spoke to all those performing different roles, ASVU executive members, Officers, and Other Ranks who had gathered there.

The project was brought to completion within months by troops of the Corps of Engineer Services (CES) under the close supervision of the ASVU President, Mrs Janaki Liyanage and several Senior Officers, considering its completion a priority.

Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku, Chief of Staff, Major General Channa Weerasuriya, Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Hirosha Wanigasekara, Master General Ordnance, Major General Shiran Abeysekara, Director General Financial Management, Brigadier Indrajith Vithanachchi, Director Ordnance Services, Mrs Shiromala Kodithuwakku, Vice President, ASVU, Mrs Dhanusha Santhushmi Weerasooriya, Secretary to the ASVU, members of the ASVU, Colonel Nalindra Mahavithana, Colonel Coordination at ASVU, Officers and Other Ranks joined this inaugural ceremony.