.jpg)
Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya in his welcome address to the ceremonial opening of the War Hero wellness resort, "Abimansala-2" at Kamburupitiya Saturday (10) morning hailed directions and support, extended by HE the President and the Secretary Defence to the success story of the "Abimansala-2" project.Here is the full text of his address:
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s inaugural opening of the Ruhunupura ‘Abimansala-2’ for lifelong care of disable war heroes today, marks an important milestone for the Army as well as to me as Commander of the Army. On behalf of all in the Army and members of the Seva Vanitha Army Branch, let me extend a very warm welcome to HE the President, distinguished guests and all of you.
Fulfilling an unmatched daunting role, Sri Lanka Army, under able guidance and directions of HE, the President and Hon. Secretary Defence, brought the 30-year long terrorism in our country to a successful end. During the war, in addition to the vast numbers of Army personnel injured, nearly 300 War Heroes became totally disable and dependent.
Like a noble father, President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s, determined efforts to show gratitude by providing a lifeline to those made the supreme sacrifice as well as those became disable, in conformity with what has been envisaged in the Mahinda Chinthanaya policy document, no doubt deserves commendation of all Sri Lankans.
In your Mahinda Chinthanaya policy document , it is stated that “ In a human society where no seeing is entertained despite having own eye-sight, no hearing is made despite having ears to do so, and nothing is done having all legs and limbs intact, I am prepared to absorb you with physical or mental handicap as honourable citizens without any discrimination or difference whatsoever and will build ‘protective homes’ for you who don’t have shelter or social security ”. Today, I note with humble pride that this notion in the policy document has been made into a reality.
Hon President, this is the second “Abimansala” opened with your gracious presence. Your Excellency on July 26 last year inaugurated the similar Anuradhapura “Abimansala” on the banks of Nuwara Weva for NCP based disable War Heroes.
It is with great pleasure, I have the honour to inform you, Sir, terminal disability that affected several of them, resident at Anuradhapura, has taken a turn for the better and one such inmate got married while being there.
It is fortunate to have Ruhunupura “Abimansala-2”opened by you today, in less than a period of ten months after its ground-breaking work was done on 19 January 2012 which will house 48 dependent War Heroes for the rest of their life span.
This project that cost nearly Rs 207 million was overwhelmingly, supported by Ministries, state agencies, donors, sponsors and philanthropists. Likewise, ladies in the Seva Vanitha Army Branch through “Brave Hearts” fund-raising and Army Regiments, contributed lavishly to the completion of it.
Your Excellency, The public in and around this area wholeheartedly supported it by showing their warmth towards War Heroes which symbolized that they have not forgotten the War Heroes. As You have done in the instance at Anuradhapura, Presidential Secretariat was magnanimous in setting up a ‘Nenasala’ IT centre in this complex too, giving a further boost to the promotion of IT knowledge among these new inmates. Similarly, apart from western medicine, inmates are able to receive indigenous treatment, if they so desire thanks to the support given by the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine.
Never had we heard, nor had we seen wellness resorts of this nature are being built elsewhere in any part of the world, purely to protect and facilitate disable War Heroes. Grateful masses as well as generous donors contributed to the establishment of these places. And they still want to build the one at Pangolla, Kurunegala for North Western Province dependent War Heroes next year.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Southern Provincial Council, Political leaders and Maturata Plantations Company for assistance in many ways. Let me once again thank HE, the President for his presence here today. Wish all of you a bright future, “Suba Anagathayak” .
