Published on - 11/15/2004
Welfare projects, initiated by the Army at respective areas in the country are now in full spate thanks to the efforts being launched by the Army's Directorate of Additional Welfare. The latest to be added to the list was the 23rd Perahettiya Rana Viru Gama (War Heroes\' Village) at Hali-Ela in Badulla District which was declared open by the Army Commander Lt.General. S. H. S Kottegoda on Sunday (14).
Twenty three families of War Heroes received their keys to twenty three new houses, erected in a 14-acre plot of land donated by the Japanese philanthropist Ms. Aiyko Maruo, a resident from Nugegoda in Sri Lanka exclusively for this worthy project at Perahettiya. Lt. General S. H. S Kottegoda, Ms. Aiyko Maruo and Mrs Sonia Kottegoda at a brief but dignified function gave away deeds of those houses to the recipients.
Tears rolled as wheel-chair ridden War Heroes and differently-able soldiers made their way to the podium as their names were announced in order to receive their Gifts of Gratitude from their boss, Lt. General Kottegoda while some of their siblings looked on with hope and admiration.
The Army Seva Vanitha Unit (SVU), presided by Mrs Sonia Kottegoda is spearheading this programme of house-building for War Heroes in collaboration with the Rana Viru Seva Authority of the Army. The SVU has undertaken a number of projects of this nature with funds the SVU generates.
In this Perahettiya Ranaviru Village, five houses went to next of kin of those who made the supreme sacrifice during the battles while the remaining eighteen were donated among War Heroes who turned disable as a result of the war. The scheme, the first leg of a bigger housing project has 23 houses each worth Rs 700.000 with all facilities.
