An avenue for war veterans and their families to resolve issues
October 03, 2020- Uththama Pooja mobile service, Anuradhapura facilitates large number of war veterans’ welfare
- Defence Secretary to mediate and resolve issues of war veteran families in future
Addressing war veteran families at the 2nd phase of ‘War Veterans Mobile Service’ (WVMS), held in Saliyapura, Anuradhapura today (Oct 3), Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said a ‘Public Division’ will be established at the State Ministry of Internal Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management to mediate and facilitate their issues associated with Divisional Secretariats/District Secretariats and Grama Niladaris.
“I will also personally mediate to resolve these issues,” he stressed and also said “Bring your issues to us, we are open for you”
Referring to Ragama ‘Ranaviru Sevana’ Wellness Resort which “differently-abled war veterans around the island usually arrive to obtain quality prosthetic limbs, he said “Army is to set up a similar facility at the Abhimansala, in Anuradhapura to facilitate the regional differently-abled war hero community”.
“We also set up a similar facility in every Abhimansala in the island”, he said adding that, another Military Hospital is being constructed in Kandy to ease the congestion.
Illustrating intentions to resume the ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ housing project, he said “I have taken steps and instructed Defence Ministry’s Seva Vanitha Unit President (SVU) to raise funds for the project”.
Further recalling on overlooked involvement of Tri-Forces SVUs Presidents in selecting ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ housing project beneficiaries, he said their presence is imperative in the selection board as previously practised.
Maj. Gen. Gunaratne said we have invited you all today, to address and resolve administrative and welfare-related issues as a tribute to your beloved son, father or husband, whoever has sacrificed their lives and limbs to safeguard the motherland.
Recalling the war victory, he said, “although many have claimed the credit of the victory over LTTE, parents of war veterans, who permitted their children to join the battle, must receive the honour”.
Following a discussion with the President, I initiated steps to resume this noble ‘Uththama Pooja’ programme, which had gone unnoticed during the past, to signify how treasured they are, he reasoned.
I have summoned representatives of all related state sector institutions and Tri-Forces while placing respective desks to resolve your issues, he said.
The concept of WVMS, an outreach initiative of the Defence Ministry, aimed at identifying administrative and welfare issues of war veterans and their beloved families to provide sustainable and prompt solutions.
Ranaviru Seva Authority Chairman Maj. Gen. (Retd) Nandana Senadeera, Acting Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sumangala Dias, Acting Inspector General of Police Chandana Wickramaratne, Hela Ranaviru Balamuluwa members, senior military and Police officers and a large gathering of war hero families were present at the occasion.
