VALIANT War Heroes who brought peace to Sri Lanka at the expense of their limbs and organs, but still under rehabilitation at Ragama Ranaviru Sevana had a thrilling experience during a New Year celebration on Tuesday (27) with their Commander, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya who graced the occasion as Chief Guest.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, in the company of Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, President, Seva Vanitha Army Branch witnessing this rare spectacle of talents and skills of those wheelchair-ridden War Heroes during this special New Year celebration, took an enormous interest in the arrangement and encouraged all those who were competing in the traditional New Year games and sports events.
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya, spending several hours with those disable, but differently-able War Heroes interacted and shared thoughts with them while tasting traditional sweetmeats and milk rice, and even went to the extent of serving those blind and wheelchair-ridden War Heroes with special confectionaries. Taking the day free, those Ranaviru Sevana inmates competed in various New Year traditional games and other fun-making events as the Ranaviru music band, added melodies, and rhythms of popular hits. Fun-making events such as grease pole climbing, pillow fights, tugs of war, balancing, pot cracking, eye-spotting, musical chairs, marathon races, wheelchair races, fancy dress competitions, Raban playing, bun-eating, catch of eggs, weaving cadjans, selection of New Year prince, etc brought immense amusement and thrill to the day’s event as applause thundered.
Brigadier R.V. Samaratunge, Director, Directorate of Rehabilitation received the Commander on arrival at the Ragama Ranaviru Sevana premises before he was conducted to receive the Guard Turn-out, accorded in his honour. The day’s New Year celebration commenced after the Commander raised the National Flag and lit the traditional oil lamp. Several popular vocalists, including Nirosha Virajini, Chamika Sirimanne and Janaka Wickremasinghe contributed their voice to make the musical entertainment a success as the Ranaviru band provided music to the occasion. A large number of senior Army officers attended the New Year celebration which went on till Tuesday (27) evening.
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Commander of the Army handing over a new year gift to a differently able War Hero |
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Director Rehabilitation receiving Commander of the Army on his arrival |
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pot cracking |
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Raban playing |
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Weaving cadjans |
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Commander of the Army witnessing Pillow fighting |
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Commander of the Army in company of differently able War Heroes |
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Commander of the Army celebrating New Year with differently able War Heroes |
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Commander of the Army witnessing grease pole climbing |
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Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya celebrating new year with differantly able War Heroes |
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A winner receiving his new year gift from Mrs. Manjulika Jayasuriya |
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Popular singer Mrs. Nirosha Virajini with Ranaviruvo musical band on the occassion |
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