State Minister Tennakoon chairs another programme to look into the welfare and administrative affairs of War Hero families and retired Army veterans
June 02, 2024Another programme organized by the Sri Lanka Army to look into the welfare and administrative affairs of retired/ medically retired military personnel and family members of war heroes who sacrificed their lives in the war was held today (Jun 02) at the Regimental Center of the Sri Lanka Army Gemunu Watch in Kuruwita.
State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon graced the event as the Chief Guest. Another programme in this series took place yesterday (Jun 01) at the Army Volunteer Force Training School in Diyatalawa covering Central Command of the Security Forces.
State Minister Tennakoon was received by the Commander of the Security Forces (West) Major General Mahendra Fernando on his arrival at the ceremony.
Army Headquarters conducts this programme island wide to look into the welfare and administrative affairs of retired/ medically retired military personnel and family members of war heroes who sacrificed their lives in the war. The Army authorities had established help desks under seven of its Directorates to facilitate retired service personnel and war hero families to forward their grievances and seek redress.
While addressing the gathering, State Minister Tennakoon praised the immense sacrifices of the parents and family members of the war heroes during the war, as well as the supreme service of our brave war heroes who fought to uphold the territorial integrity of the motherland. He also praised the services of the tri forces both during and off duty.
Further, he mentioned that the discussions have been held with Health Minister Hon. Ramesh Pathirana regarding the measures to be taken to provide services on priority basis for retired war heroes and war hero families at state hospitals. He also said that a programme is to be implemented, that would ensure a priority service to them when obtaining services from state banks and other government institutions. He revealed of a proposed subsidized loan scheme for serving and retired war heroes and said that the discussions are in progress with the chairman of the Bank of Ceylon in this regard.
In addition, Minister Tennakoon stated that the President has submitted a cabinet paper to the Parliament on providing land to war heroes and their family members on priority basis under the 'Urumaya' programme currently being implemented by the government providing freehold deeds for land. Retired veterans and war hero families will be able to get those services in the future through the Divisional Secretariats.
State Minister Tennakoon further stated that the discussion were held with the Foreign Ministry to allocate a job quota for retired veterans and members of war hero families when the government sends workers for foreign employment.
Following the Minister’s address, opportunity was given for those who arrived to obtain services to present their grievances and express their views to the Minister and Senior Army Officials.
District Secretary of Kegalle J.M.R.P. Jayasinghe, senior army officials including Adjutant General of the Sri Lanka Army Major General Nalinda Niyangoda, Divisional Secretaries from Kegalle and Rathnapura districts, state officials and a large number of war heroes and their family members also participated in this event.
