112 new 'Api Wenuwen Api' Houses handed over to War Heroes - Colombo District
Under the fourteenth phase of the 'Api Wenuwen Api' housing project for war heroes, 112 houses constructed in the Colombo district were given ownership today (18th November) by His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The
main event was held at Pitipana College in Homagama this
morning. Secretary Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya
Rajapaksa was also present at the occasion.
H E
the President ceremonially handed over the first house to
Sergeant Kumara of the Sri Lanka Army with the presence of
distinguished guests at Ridimudala, Homagama.
The
Ministry of Defence has launched the Api Wenuwen Api housing
project with the aim of uplifting the living standard of war
heroes and their families by assisting them to build their own
houses. This project is being conducted under the guidance and
close supervision of Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa
and Chairperson of the Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs.
Ioma Rajapaksa to build new houses island wide for veteran war
heroes or their families.
Under the fourteenth phase 69 Army, 26 Navy and 17 Air force war hero families received the keys of their new houses from the President. In addition gift parcels of household equipment, school stationery and school bags were also presented to the war hero families.
So far houses have been built covering Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Hambantota, Monaragala, Badulla, Galle, Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Kalutara, Kegalle, Polonnaruwa Gampaha ,Rathnapura , Mathale and Nuwareliya Districts .Sri Lanka Army and Maga Engineering had undertaken the task of constructing the houses in Colombo district.
During the function Rakna Araksaka Lanka Limited, handed over a cheque
worth Rupees Ten Million to the President towards the 'Api
Wenuwen Api' fund and another cheque worth Rupees One Million for the 'Sandahiru Seya' project in Anuradhapura.
Furthermore the children of Pitipana College were also distributed with school books and bags at the event.
Under the 'Api Wenuwen Api' project not only the war heroes but also the whole society in which he lives in gets benefited. Basic infrastructure facilities like roads, electricity, telecommunication, water and sanitation facilities are also upgraded within that society. Special attention is given to provide for the needs and urgent requirements of the local school.
Government Ministers including Hon Dinesh Gunawardana, Hon Susil Premajayantha, Hon Bandula Gunawardhana, Hon Wimal Weerawansa, Chief Minister of Western Province Hon Prasanna Ranathunga, Members of the Parliament, Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weerathunga, Additional Secretary (Defence) Mr. S. Hettiarachchi ,Vice-President of the MOD Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs. Indu Rathnayake, Military Liaisons Officer Maj. Gen. (Retd) W.P.P. Fernando, Chief of Defence Staff, tri forces commanders, Inspector General of Police, members of the Seva Vanitha Units, government officials and a large number of people were present at the occasion.
Anyone who wishes to show their grateful appreciation to the services and sacrifices of the war heroes can do so by contributing generously towards this project. Contributions can be forwarded to the following Account Numbers. Every cent of your donation will go into providing these great souls and their families a better living facility.
Bank of Ceylon Ac No : 7040000
Sampath Bank Ac No : 7040000 and Ac No: 092960000600
Peoples Bank Ac No : 204-1-001-7-0000323
Donation for "Api Wenuwen Api" housing project
A donation towards the "Api Wenuwen Api" war hero housing project was made by Ajax Engineering at a function held at the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development (MoD&UD) today (04th November). The donation was handed over to Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa by the Managing Director of the company Mr. Sarath Karunarate.
Meanwhile another donation towards the War Hero housing project was made by Polytechnologies Company. The donation was handed over to the Chairperson of the MoD & UD Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa by Ms. Zhang Ze during the ceremony.
The 'Api Wenuwen Api' housing project aims at uplifting the living standards of war heroes and their families by assisting them to build their own houses.
So far housing projects have been completed in Gampaha, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Hambantota, Monaragala, Badulla, Galle, Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Kalutara, Kegalle and Polonnaruwa districts.
Chairperson of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development (MoD&UD) Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa made an inspection visit to the ongoing 'Api Wenuwen Api' housing project at Kaduwela yesterday (3rd Oct).
More than one hundred houses are being constructed under the 14th phase of the 'Api Wenuwen Api' project at Kaduwela. Mrs. Rajapaksa inspected the work in progress and gave necessary instructions to the officers entrusted with the construction work.
The 'Api Wenuwen Api' housing project for war heroes was initiated in 2009 under the patronage of His Excellency the president Mahinda Rajapaksa. Projects are carried out under the direction and close supervision of the Secretary Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The project is carried out covering most parts of the country. 'Api Wenuwen Api' housing project is aimed at uplifting the living standards of veteran war heroes and their families by assisting them to build their own houses on plots of lands owned by them. So far the project has completed thirteen phases covering Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Matale, Hambantota, Monaragala, Badulla, Galle, Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Kalutara, Kegalle, Polonnaruwa, Ratnapura and Gampaha districts.
Local and foreign well-wishers, business concerns and institutions have extended their supportive hands in strengthening the "Api Venuven Api" fund. Labour assistance for this noble concept is provided by the three armed forces.
Vice president MoD&UD Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs. Indu Rathnayake was also present during the inspection visit.
Chairperson of MoD Seva Vanitha Unit inspects 'Api Wenuwen Api' housing project - Nuwara Eliya
Chairperson of the MoD Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa made an inspection visit to 'Api Wenuwen Api' housing project in Rikillagaskada, Nuwara Eliya on 09th July 2013.
Under the project 100 houses will be constructed according to the close supervision of Mrs. Rajapaksa and under the directives of Secretary Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Mrs. Rajapaksa also bestowed the instruction to the respective officers regarding the constructions during her visit at the site.
After being constructed the houses will be donated to the war heroes. The Ministry of Defence has launched the 'Api Wenuwen Api' housing project with the aim of uplifting the living standard of war heroes and their families by assisting them to build their own houses. So far the project has completed twelve phases covering Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Mathale, Hambantota, Monaragala, Badulla, Galle, Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Kalutara, Kegalle Polonnaruwa and Gampaha districts.
Vice President of MoD SVU Mrs. Indu Rathnayaka, Ministry officials and a large gathering were present at the occasion.
Thirty new houses for war heroes from 'Api Wenuwen Api'
Another 30 houses constructed under
'Api Wenuwen Api' fund in Kegalle district were given ownership
to war heroes today (17th March).
The main event was held under the
patronage of H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Meeduma Sri
Sumangala Vidyalaya in Kegalle district. Leading Transport
Assistant of SL Navy, ATK Bandara received the keys to his new
house from the Chief Guest the President.
Today, 26 war heroes of the Sri
Lanka Army and 4 war heroes of the Sri Lanka Navy received keys
of their new houses.
The "Api Wenuwen Api" housing
project is a concept of HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and
operates under the close guidance and instructions of Secretary
to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya
Rajapaksa. The Sewa Vanitha Unit of the Ministry of Defence
spearheaded by Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa closely supervises the
implementation of the project.
So far, in 7 phases houses were
handed over to war heroes by HE the President in 11 districts.
Districts
Handed over date
Kandy
07/01/2010
Kurunegala
09/05/2010
Matara
18/12/2010
Hambantota
18/12/2010
Monaragala
25/06/2011
Badulla
25/06/2011
Galle
20/08/2011
Ampara
19/10/2011
Baticoloe
19/10/2011
Trincomalee
19/10/2011
Kalutara
24/12/2011
Religious leaders,President
Secretary Mr.Lalith Weerathunga, Chief Minister Sabaragamuwa
Province Mahiepala Herath, Telecommunication and IT Minister
Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Secretary Defence Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa,
Chairperson of the Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs.
Ioma Rajapaksa and Governor of Sabaragamuva province Mr.V.J.M
Lokubandara were also presented for the occasion.
The donation of houses under the "Api
Wenuwen Api" fund will be a tribute to war heroes to appreciate
their priceless services rendered towards the nation in ending
terrorism. Anyone who wishes to contribute for this noble
project can make their contributions to the following Account
Numbers.
Bank of Ceylon Ac No: 704000,
Sampath Bank Ac No. 704000 and Ac No: 092960000600 and Peoples
Bank Ac No: 204-1-001-7-0000323.
One more disable GW War Hero
receives SVAB's housing gift
The Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB),
tirelessly dedicated for construction of houses for disable War
Heroes with the support of donors and Regimental Seva Vanitha
Units completed one more project by building another new house
to a disable Gemunu Watch (GW) War Hero in Dolahena, Udyanawatte,
Ambalanwatte, Galle on Wednesday (Mar 7).
Mrs. Manjulika Jayasuriya,
President, SVAB, accompanied by Mrs. Chintha Udumalagala,
Chairperson of GW Seva Vanitha Unit, senior SVAB members and
Army officers ceremonially opened the new house, built at
Ambalanwatte, Galle to the disable War Hero, Corporal L.L.N
Jayanath of GW Regiment.
Mrs. Jayasuriya as the Chief Guest
after opening the new house gave away a special gift to the
recipient. At the same time, Mrs. Jayasuriya distributed
separate gift parcels to all GW fellow-soldiers who worked day
and night to build this house.
The new house cost the SVAB Rs 6
lakhs and the recipient who sustained injuries in Kilaly is a
father of two daughters, both still below the age of seven
years. Soon after the ceremony Mrs. Jayasuriya made a tour to
the 'Abimansala - 2' at Wilpitawatte, Kamburupitiya construction
site and shared a couple of views with senior officers and
soldiers working there.
The proposed state of the art
complex for lifetime rest and relaxation of 48 more South-based
dependent War Heroes with much-needed physical and medical
therapeutic needs, is the brainchild of Lieutenant General
Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army who succeeded in
completing the pioneer project, 'Abimansala-1' at Anuradhapura
to serve the same purpose.
Another 30 Houses built under "Api
Wenuwen Api" project to be handed over to War Heroes in Kegalle
Thirty houses built under the "Api
Wenuwen Api" fund will be handed over to war heroes on Saturday
the17th March at 10.30 hrs. The official ceremony will be held
at the Meeduma Sri Sumangala College Grounds.
HE the President is scheduled to
handover the house built at Delgoda Junction, Deliwala,
Rambukkana for LTA (Leading Transport Assistant) A.R.K.T.
Bandara who is presently serving in the Sri Lanka Navy marking
the event at Meeduma Sri Sumangala College Grounds.
The "Api Wenuwen Api" housing
project is a concept of HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and
operates under the close guidance and instructions of Secretary
to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya
Rajapaksa. The Sewa Vanitha Unit of the Ministry of Defence
spearheaded by Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa closely supervises the
implementation of the project.
So far 7 phases of "Api Wenuwen Api"
project has been completed and the constructed houses were
handed over to war heroes by HE the President in 11 districts.
District
Handed over date
Kandy
07/01/2010
Kurunegala
09/05/2010
Matara
18/12/2010
Hambantota
18/12/2010
Monaragala
25/06/2011
Badulla
25/06/2011
Galle
20/08/2011
Ampara
19/10/2011
Batticaloa
19/10/2011
Trincomalee
19/10/2011
Kaluthara
24/12/2011
Accordingly, under the 8th Phase of
the "Api Wenuwen Api" project 30 houses will be distributed to
war heroes in security forces as follows.
District
Army
Navy
SLAF
Total
Kegalle
26
04
--
30
The donation of houses under the "Api
Wenuwen Api" fund will be a tribute to war heroes to appreciate
their priceless services rendered towards the nation in ending
terrorism.
Army Sergeant receives house from
the MOD Seva Vanitha Unit - Wattala
Chairperson of the Ministry of
Defence and Urban Development Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs. Ioma
Rajapaksa presented the keys to a newly constructed house for
Sergeant P.C. Hettiarachchi of Sri Lanka Army today (March 14).
The house worth over Rs.
3,000,000/= was built at Hunupitiya, Wattala. The construction
work was facilitated by the Sri Lanka Army's Engineering Corps.
Sergeant Hettiarachchi has been
serving the Sri Lanka Army since 1996, and presently undergoing
medical treatment due to a serious ailment.
Military Intelligence Corps Colonel
Commandant Maj Gen Prasad Samarasinghe, MOD SVU Vice-President
Mrs. Indu Rathnayake, MIC Seva Vanitha Unit Chairperson Mrs.
Sepali Samarasinghe and Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman
Prasanna Ranaweera were also among the distinguished gathering
present.
Navy war hero's family receives
house
Mrs. W.T.M.S Wanninayake widowed
wife of fallen naval war hero- Petty Officer IMSK Jayasinghe XS
16881, received the keys to a newly constructed house from the
Chairperson of the Ministry of Defence Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs.
Ioma Rajapaksa yesterday( Feb 21).
Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa was the Guest
of Honor at the donation event held at Aluthmalkaduwa, Halpara -
Kurunegala, organized by the Sri Lanka Navy SVU under the
patronage of its Chairperson Mrs. Neluka Dissanayake.
The complete construction work was
undertaken by the Sri Lanka Navy's Civil Engineering Department
on instructions of the C-of-N Vice Admiral DWAS Dissanayake.
PO Jayasinghe made his supreme
sacrifice to the nation, in a fierce gun battle with LTTE
terrorists at the seas off PPD, while serving onboard P-416 Fast
Attack Craft of the Navy's elite seaborne squadron FAF4.
Veteran Film Director Dr.
Somarathne Dissanayake and Mrs. Renuka Balasooriya were also
present at the occasion.
MoD SVU - Colombo Rotary Club
donates house for war hero
Lance Corporal Sanjeewa Kumara of
Sri Lanka Army received a house by the Ministry of Defence &
Urban Development Seva Vanitha Unit yesterday (Jan 18) at an
event at Padukka.
The house was build under the
patronage of the Colombo Rotary Club also involving close
supervision by the Seva Vanitha Unit Chairperson Mrs. Ioma
Rajapaksa.
Lance Corporal Kumara had sustained
injuries in his valiant efforts against terrorists on 29th Jan,
2009 at Visuamadu area.
The keys to the newly build house
was presented by Mrs. Ioma Rajapksa in the presence of a
distinguished gathering: Seva Vanitha Unit Deputy Chairperson
Mrs. Indu Rathnayake, Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment Seva
Vanitha Unit President Mrs. Damayanthi Rathnayake and senior
officers of the SLLI.
( Date:
January, 24th January 2011)
Source: www.defence.lk
57 blocks of land for war heroes
under Ranaviru Pranama 2012 Project - Welikanda
Under "Ranaviru Pranama 2012"
project initiated for war heroes, 57 blocks of land in Welikanda
- Aselapura "Ranaviru Gammanaya" were given ownership Saturday
(Jan 07) by Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa, Chairperson of Defence
Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit.
The land blocks were distributed
among War Heroes, including 4 disable War Heroes and two woman
soldiers, all of them living in the East.
The Ministry of Defence has
launched the "Ranaviru Pranama 2012" project with the aim of
uplifting the living standard of war heroes and their families
by assisting them to build their own houses.
This project is being conducted
under the guidance and close supervision of Secretary Defence Mr
Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Chairperson of the Defence Ministry's
Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa.
Commander of the Army Lieutenant
General Jagath Jayasooriya, Commander SF HQ(East) Major General
Lal Perera were also among the distinguished participants.
( Date:
January, 24th January 2011)
Source: www.defence.lk
Chairperson of MOD Seva Vanitha
Unit inspects "Api Wenuwen Api" housing project - Kegalle
district
Chairperson of
MOD Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa inspected the ongoing
construction works of "Api Wenuwen Api" Housing Project in
Mawanella, Rambukkana and Kegalle on Thursday o5 January.
The Ministry of Defence and Urban
Development has launched the "Api Wenuwen Api" Housing Project
with the aim of uplifting the living standards of families of
war heroes by assisting them to build their own house.
The housing project is conducted
under the guidance and close supervision Secretary of the
Defence and Urban Development Ministry Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa
and Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit chairperson Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa.
Mrs. Indu Rathnayaka, vice
chairperson of the Seva Vanitha Unit and several other officers
of SVU participated in the inspection tour.
( Date:
January, 24th January 2011)
Source: www.defence.lk
29 houses for war heroes under 'Api
Wenuwen Api' project - Kalutara
Under the seventh phase of the 'Api
Wenuwen Api' project for war heroes, 29 houses completed in
Kalutara district were given ownership today (24th December) in
the presence of H.E. the President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The main event was held at
Rajawatta ground in Kalutara district.
Beloved wife and the child of the
soldier Sandaruwan KGR who sacrified his life in liberating our
country from the terrorism lasted for three decades, received
the keys of their house ceremonially from the Chief Guest of the
event President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The Ministry of Defence has
launched the Api Wenuwen Api housing project with the aim of
uplifting the living standard of war heroes and their families
by assisting them to build their own houses. This project is
being conducted under the guidance and close supervision of
Secretary Defence Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Chairperson of the
Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa to
build 700 new houses island wide for veteran war heroes.
At the event 25 war heroes of the
Army, 2 from the Navy and 2 war heroes from Air Force received
keys from the President. Parcels of gifts including household
apparatus and school books and bags were also given to their
family members by distinguish guests.
So far the project has completed
six phases and under that six phases the following numbers of
houses were completed and given ownership to war heroes in
following districts.
District
Houses
Kandy
25
Kurunegala
27
Matara& Hambantota
36
Monaragala & Badulla
31
Galle
32
Ampara, Baticoloe &
trincomalee
14
Construction works of the housing
project in Kalutara district was also undertaken by the 4th
Engineers Corps of Sri Lanka Army.
Coinciding to the event Rakna
Araksaka Lanka Limited, a government owned security firm donated
a cheque worth of Rs 10 million to the President for the welfare
activities of injured war heroes. 200 school children in
Kalutara Navodya Vidyalaya were given school books and bags by
the President at the same event.
Western Province Governor Alevi
Maulana, Minister Kumara Welgama, Rajitha Senarathna, Secretary
to President Mr. Lalith Weerathunga, Secretary Defence Mr.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Chairperson of Defence Ministry's Seva
Vanitha Unit Mrs Ioma Rajapaksa and Commanders of armed forces
were also present at the occasion.
Moreover, the officials of the "Api
Wenuwen Api" project said anyone who wishes to contribute for
this noble project can make their contributions to the following
Account Numbers.
Bank of Ceylon Ac No: 704000,
Sampath Bank Ac No. 704000 and Ac No: 092960000600 and Peoples
Bank Ac No: 204-1-001-7-0000323.
( Date:
January, 24th January 2011)
Source: www.defence.lk
Civil Security Department donate 26
houses to War Heroes
Paying tribute to the War Heroes of
Civil Security Department, Civil Security Department Sava
vanitha Branch donated 26 houses among 26 war Heroes who live in
Morawewa /Gomarankadawala,Kebithigollewa, Vavuniya,Mahaoya,
Wilpattu, Puttalam Horoupatana,Uhana , Polonnaruwa, Welioya,
Anuradapura/Madawchchiya, Ampara, Yala/Kataragama Saruwawila and
Kantale.
Under the guidance of the Director
General of Civil Security Department Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris,
those houses were built by the Civil Security Department's Seva
Vanitha Unit and handed over them to the war heroes in a
ceremony held at the Head Quarters of Civil Security Department
Bambalapitiya today (19th Dec. 2011).
As the chief guest of the function
,the Chairperson of Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha unit Mrs
Ioma Rajapaksa handed over the keys of the house to the war
heroes. The Chairperson of Civil Security Department's Seva
Vanitha branch Mrs. Kumuduni Peirise and some other distinguish
guests were also present at the event .
( Date:
January, 24th January 2011)
Source: www.defence.lk
SVAB intensifies its welfare roles;
more scholarships, housing grants & sanitary facilities awarded
The Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB),
unreservedly committed to serve the well-being of both disable
War Heroes, their families and the serving, lent its helping
hand once more to differently able War Heroes who safeguarded
the country and their children on Monday (28).
Distribution of scholarships to 97
War Hero children, housing grants, plots of lands, 150 sanitary
commode sets to disable War Heroes building or renovating
houses, wheelchairs, stretches, walking sticks, all of them
valued several millions, got underway this morning (28) during a
ceremony at the Army Headquarters, headed by Mrs Ioma Rajapaksa,
President, Seva Vanitha Unit at Ministry of Defence and Urban
Development as the Chief Guest at the invitation of Mrs
Manjulika Jayasuriya, President SVAB.
Commander of the Army, Lieutenant
General Jagath Jayasuriya graced the occasion as a distinguished
invitee at the invitation of the SVAB.
One new house worth Rs 1 million,
financial grants for twelve new houses and 82 partly built
houses, 150 commode sets and a plot of land to a total value of
over Rs. 21 million, were symbolically offered to the War Heroes
on the occasion by distinguished invitees.
The SVAB, tirelessly engaged in
assisting War Heroes and their families by way of construction
of new houses or partly-built houses of disable War Heroes,
award of scholarships to War Hero families, purchase of lands,
supply of sanitary facilities, provision of life-time care in
special places of rest and recreation, etc, has to-date
successfully completed a number of such projects with the
cooperation, extended by both local and foreign philanthropists
and donors.
Monday's (28) ceremony at Army
Headquarters gymnasium, as a major segment of the ongoing SVAB
scholarship programme also, gave away 99 scholarships to clever
children of War Hero families, each worth Rs 10,000/= and they
were picked by a special SVAB panel. Six children during the
ceremony symbolically accepted those scholarships on behalf of
other recipients.
The Chief Guest, Mrs Rajapaksa,
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and Mrs Manjulika
Jayasuriya were associated with the award of those grants and
items to the recipients on the occasion. Chairpersons in all
Seva Vanitha Units at Regimental level too joined distributing
those gestures of goodwill.
Mrs Rajapaksa welcomed by Mrs
Jayasuriya on arrival at the venue was conducted to the main
auditorium in a colourful procession, accompanied by Lieutenant
General Jagath Jayasuriya, SVAB officials and other senior Army
officers. The inauguration of the day's proceedings started with
the lighting of the traditional oil lamp.
The SVAB, well aware of the varying
nature of disability, prevalent among Army War Heroes, was
instrumental in getting specially manufactured commode sets for
the use of those War Heroes. The occasion saw symbolic
distribution of those sanitary sets among War Heroes.
Today's complete donation, valued
more than Rs 24 million has been earned by the SVAB exclusively
through their multiple fund raising projects like pre-schools,
island-wide welfare shops, bakeries, beauty saloons, new year
fairs, Lakviru Sevana, tailor shops, sale of stickers, etc. In
addition, the Commander of the Army, highly taken up by
impressive mega SVAB projects has set apart a considerable
allocation from his welfare votes. Several private donors have
also contributed to the cause.
Richard Peiris Company (Pvt) Ltd
donated 150 commode sets to be given to the War Heroes while Ms
Suvinitha Kotelawala, a philanthropist gifted two artificial
legs to the War Heroes. Lieutenant General Jayasuriya in
response to a request made, provided the War Heroes with 10
specially designed wheelchairs that can be used by them for
sport training.
Senior SVAB officials and a large
gathering of parents, children, spouses of War Heroes and
invitees participated in the ceremony, coloured by entertaining
artistes in the popular 'Kopi Kade' tele programme and several
other leading vocalists as day's proceedings continued.
( Date:
Wednesday, 30th November 2011)
Source: www.defence.lk
"Api Wenuwen Api" 6th phase hands
over 14 houses to war heroes in the East
Under the 6th stage of the "Api
Wenuwen Api" housing project for war heroes, 14 houses completed
in Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee Districts were given
ownership on Wednesday (Oct 19), by H.E President Mahinda
Rajapaksa.
The main event was held at Divulana
Maha Vidyalaya in Ampara.
Sergeant KMR Jayarathne of
Piyangala, Rajagalathenna - Ampara received the keys from the
Chief Guest of the event, President Mahinda Rajapaksa .
Eastern province Governor Rear
Admiral(Retd) Mohan Wijewickrama, senior MP Hon. P Dayarathne,
MP Sarath Weerasekara, Secretary to President Mr. Lalith
Weerathunga, Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa,
Chairperson of the Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs Ioma
Rajapaksa and Commanders of armed forces were also present at
the occasion.
The key note address was delivered
by Secretary to President Mr. Lalith Weerathunga.
At the event, 13 war heroes of the
Sri Lanka Army and a war hero from Sri Lankan Navy received keys
from the President.
According to Api Wenuwen Api
official, under last five phases of the project following number
of houses were completed and given ownership to war heroes in 7
districts.
District
Houses
Kandy
25
Kurunegala
27
Matara & Hambantota
36
Monaragala & Badulla
31
Galle
32
The housing project is being
conducted under the guidance and close supervision of the
Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Chairperson of the
Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa to
build 700 new houses island wide for veteran war heroes.
Moreover, the officials of the "Api
Wenuwen Api" project said anyone who wishes to contribute for
this noble project can make their contributions to the following
Account Numbers.
Bank of Ceylon Ac No: 704000,
Sampath Bank Ac No. 704000 and Ac No: 092960000600 and Peoples
Bank Ac No: 204-1-001-7-0000323.
( Date:
Tuesday, 25th October 2011)
Source: www.defence.lk
Warm gratitude to "Api Wenuwen Api"
Dinushika Sewwandi, a grade nine
school girl has expressed her deep sense of gratitude to "Api
Wenuwen Api" project and Chairperson of Defence Ministry's Seva
Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa for the house they received.
She has penned a letter in her own
words, thanking Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa for the house their family
received under the "Api Wenuwen Api" project on 11 July 2010. In
her letter she said " the house we received from HE the
President and Defence Secretary is a Taj Mahal for us, and dear
madam, you had made all arrangements to donate this house to our
family; you are an eternal treasure for us".
"I have a brother and two sisters,
now we live in our own home, we never forget our government that
always helped us when we are in need" she continued.
She went on to say "Each and every
day, we remember you. 11th July 2010 is the happiest day of our
lives, on that day we saw your presence together with HE the
president and the Secretary Defence in our own eyes"
She is the daughter of Sgt
Rajamanthree URKS (11 SLE), who received the house in the first
phase of the "Api Wenuwen Api" project launched in Senarathgama,
Kandy on 11 July 2010.
( Date:
Friday, 13th October 2011)
Source: www.defence.lk
Chairperson of MOD Seva Vanitha
Unit inspects "Api Wenuwen Api" Housing Project - Batticalloa
Chairperson of MOD Seva Vanitha
Unit Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa inspected the ongoing construction
works of the 6th phase of "Api Wenuwen Api" Housing Project in
Batticalloa on Wednesday, 06 October.
The Ministry of Defence has
launched the "Api Wenuwen Api" Housing Project with the aim of
uplifting the living standards of families of war heroes by
assisting them to build their own house. The housing project is
conducted under the guidance and close supervision of the
Defence Secretary Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Defence Ministry's
Seva Vanitha Unit chairperson Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa.
So far, the project has completed
five phases, and the construction works in Ampara district now
is nearing completion. Mrs. Indu Rathnayaka, vice chairperson of
the Seva Vanitha Unit and several other officers of SVU
participated in the inspection tour.
( Date:
Friday, 07th October 2011)
Source: www.defence.lk
40 students receive Ranaviru
Doo-daru scholarships
40 children of
valiant war heroes of the Sri Lanka Armed Services and Police on
Sep 29, 2011 received educational assistance scholarships.
The
scholarships' award initiated under the 'Ranaviru Dudaru'
scholarship programme by the Ministry of Defence Seva Vanitha
Unit(SVU) was held for the 9th successive session at the
Minsitry of Defence.
The event was
held under the patronage of Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya
Rajapaksa this morning. Awarding of scholarships was made
considering three categories of educational levels: students
from grade-1 to 5, grade-6 to 9 and grade 10 to 13. Hence, the
selected students were eligible for scholarships worth of Rs.
20,000/=, Rs. 30,000/= and Rs. 50,000/= respectively.
The scholarship progarmme came to
light under the direction of MOD Seva Vanitha Unit Chairperson
Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa in 2009 with assistance from the Bank of
Ceylon, initially facilitating 14 Ranaviru children with
scholarships. Since, its inception the 'Ranaviru Dudaru
Scholarship' program has blossomed providing educational
assistance to over 1000 such students, SVU sources said.
Deputy Chairperson of the MOD SVU
Mrs. Indu Rathnayake, and Chairpersons of the Tri-Services and
Police were also among the distinguished gathering present along
with parents and students.
(
Date: Friday, 30th September2011)
Source:
www.defence.lk
32 houses for war heroes under APi Wenuwen Api project- Galle
Under the 5th stage of the Api
Wenuwen Api housing project for war heroes, 32 houses completed
in the Galle District were given ownership on Saturday (Aug 20),
in the presence of H.E President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The main event was held at the
Kapuhenpola Nandimithra Maha Vidyalaya. Corporal BPM Gunasekara
at Ampitiwatta , Kapuhenpola- Akmeemana received the keys
ceremonially from the Chief Guest of the event President Mahinda
Rajapaksa.
Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody,
Ministers Piyasena Gamage and Gunaratne Weerakoon, Southern
Province Governor Kumari Balasuriya, Chief Minister Shan
Wijayalal de Silva, MPs Nishantha Muthuhettigama, Manusha
Nanayakkara, Romesh Pathirana, Secretary to the President Lalith
Weeratunge, Secretary Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa, , Defence
Ministry Seva Vanitha Unit chairperson Ioma Rajapaksa,
schoolchildren and family members of the tri-forces service
personnel also participated.
The key note address was delivered
by Southern Provincial Governor Mrs. Kumari Balasooriya. Keys to
26 completed houses were presented to war heroes of the Sri
Lanka Army, 02 to Sri Lankan Navy and 02 houses to SLAF. 198
school bags were also distributed among students of the
Kapuhenpola Maha Vidyalaya corresponding with the main event.
Construction work of the housing project in the Galle District
was undertaken by the 4th Engineers Corps of SLA. According to
Api Wenuwen Api officials, following number of houses were
completed and given ownership to war heroes in 6 Districts.
District
Houses
Kandy
25
Kurunegala
27
Matara & Hambantota
36
Monaragala & Badulla
31
The Api Wenuwen Api Fund is a
collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and the Central
Bank of Sri Lanka to build 50,000 houses for the serving
Tri-Service personnel as promised in the Mahinda Chinthanaya.
The housing project is conducted under the guidance and close
supervision of the Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and
Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit chairperson Ioma Rajapaksa.
Contributions can be made to the
Api Wenuwen Api fund to the following Account Numbers.
Bank of Ceylon Ac No: 704000,
Sampath Bank Ac No. 704000 and Ac No: 092960000600 and Peoples
Bank Ac No: 204-1-001-7-0000323.
(
Date: Tuesday, 30th August2011)
Source:
www.defence.lk
MoD SVU hands over newly constructed house for a war hero
Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha
Unit which has initiated numerous projects for the welfare of
the war heroes donated another new house to Sergeant Priyantha
W.G.U.K. (8 GR) in Aluthwewa, Galewela.
Chairperson of the Defence
Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa handed over the
keys of the new house to Sergeant Priyantha yesterday at a
function held at his new residence.
The vice president of the Seva
Vanitha Unit Mrs. Indu Rathnayaka, Col. Ranjan Lamahewa
Commandant Gajaba Regiment, Commanding Officer Lt. Col
M.G.W.W.W.M.C.B. Wikramasinghe and Commanding Officer of 4ESR
Col G.P.N. Chandrarathna were also present at the event.
(
Date: Thursday, 18th August2011)
Source:
www.defence.lk
Disabled war hero receives new house from MoD SVU
Seva Vanitha Unit of the Ministry
of Defence handed over a newly constructed house to a war hero
of the 8th Battalion of Sri Lanka Light Infantry (8 SLLI) who
lost his vision while serving in the battlefront.
Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa, Chairperson of
Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit, handed over the keys of
the newly constructed house to Sgt A. N. D. Jayarathna at a
function held at Wewagedara in Hindagolla, Kurunegala yesterday
(15 Aug).
Sergeant Jayarathna is a farther of
two kids and lost his vision due to LTTE attack in Achchuweli,
Jaffna on 21st October in 1995. Since then he has not been in a
position to complete the construction work that he had started
earliar.
Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha
Unit which has initiated numerous projects to uplift the living
standards of war heroes took over the responsibility of
completing the construction under its leadership Mrs. Ioma
Rajapaksa, the Chairperson. 4 Engineers Service Regiment (4ESR)
has done the construction work under the directives of the MoD
SVU.
Vice president of MoD SVU Mrs. Indu
Rathnayake, Col GPN Chandrarathna Commanding Officer of 4ESR,
and a large gathering were also present at the event.
(
Date: Thursday, 18th August2011)
Source:
www.defence.lk
War hero's family gets a new house from Seva Vanitha Unit of MoD
Seva Vanitha Unit of the Ministry
of Defence handed over a newly built house to another war hero's
family on 03rd August 2011.
Chairperson of MOD Seva Vanitha
Unit Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa handed over the keys of this new house
to the wife of Sapper K P Ravindra who scarified his life during
the humanitarian operation, at a special function held at
Galpothtegoda , Tangalle.
Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha
Unit gave the financial support to build this new house and the
construction work was done by the 4th Engineering Regiment of
Sri Lanka Army.
Maj. General E M M Ambanpola, Vice
Chairperson of the SVU of MOD Mrs. Indu Rathnayaka, members of
SVU and the relations of K P Ravindra were also present at the
event .
(
Date: Friday, 05th August2011)
Source:
www.defence.lk
Anuradhapura 'Abimansala' for Dependent War Heroes Opened
'One of the most valuable qualities
of a commander is a flair for putting himself in the right place
at the vital time' - Field Marshal Viscount Slim.
The state of the art, 'Abimansala'
(wellness resort), on the banks of the ancient Nuwara Wewa in
Anuradhapura, exclusively designed to house dependent Army War
Heroes for the rest of their life-span, was ceremonially vested
in disable warriors by His Excellency, the President Mahinda
Rajapaksa this morning (26) at the request of the Commander of
the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa as
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces whole-heartedly supported
the need for establishment of such wellness resorts for rest and
recreation of those permanently disable War Heroes, as projected
by the Secretary Defence Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Commander
of the Army, and swiftly allocated this picturesque 5 acre state
land, adjoining the Anuradhapura, Nuwarawewa for this noble
cause.
Equipped with the best of most
modern technology that suit physical and psychological needs and
well-being of 52 disable War Heroes whose untiring battlefield
sacrifices, saw an end to the country's three-decade long
terrorism, the mega 'Abimansala' complex at Anuradhapura, serves
a fitting tribute, conceptualized by Lieutenant General Jagath
Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army. The Army's, 'Brave Hearts'
theme fund-raiser, vigorously executed by the Seva Vanitha Army
Branch (SVAB), presided by Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya found
necessary resources for its completion.
The Anuradhapura wellness centre,
quite identical to the recently-opened sanatorium-type 'Mihindu
Seth Medura', the first of its kind in Asia or perhaps in the
whole world, initiated by Secretary Defence on Attidiya Road for
the same purpose of accommodating permanently disable
tri-service War Heroes, is comprised of separate wings and units
for hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, psychology, medical laboratory
testing, X-Ray facility, recreation, sports, spa, internet
facility, religious faiths, indoor games, entertainment,
library, medical and clinical counseling, film watching,
rehabilitation, swimming, dining, residential purposes,
administration and outdoor activities, etc, in addition to five
separate large residential quarters, reserved for family members
of the inmates at 'Abimansala' and cost the Army about Rs 200
million, though the original estimated expenditure was reduced
by nearly Rs 23 million on completion.
President Rajapaksa, received
warmly by the brainchild of the project, Lieutenant General
Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army and Mrs Manjulika
Jayasuriya, President SVAB, was conducted to the entrance to the
complex to unveil the plaque that symbolizes the brief history,
surrounding the birth of the 'Abimansala'. At the end of the
welcome procession, the Commandant and the Chief Medical
Officer, expected to serve at the new 'Abimansala' were
introduced to the visiting President cum Commander-in-Chief of
the Armed Forces by the Commander of the Army. As the auspicious
minute struck, the President as Chief Guest on the occasion
unveiled the plaque on the main building and cut a ribbon as a
token of inauguration of the project amidst Pirith chanting of
the Maha Sangha. The Chief Guest's opening of the main building
coincided simultaneously with the inauguration of all other new
villas, cottages and wings, sponsored or constructed by
different donors after boiling milk and traditional oil-lamp
lighting. Many representative donors and sponsors took part in
the ritual at the same time as Pirith chanting was in progress,
headed by Ven Pallegama Siri Sumana Dhammarakkitha Siri Nivasa
Thero, Chief Incumbent for Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and Atamasthanaya.
President Rajapaksa after offer of
'Pirikara' to members of the Maha Sangha next, symbolically
registered the first resident dependent War Hero to be admitted
to the wellness resort, selected from the Anuradhapura region.
Later on, the President, Ministers, Secretary to President,
Secretary Defence and other VIPs at the invitation of the
Commander of the Army, made a walking tour in the premises,
enabling the President and other distinguished invitees to
receive a broader view of the entire compound. A brief
spectacle, supplemented with a special display of Water Ballet
skills and other cultural feats brought the day's opening
ceremony to an end.
Statistics show that approximately
300 War Heroes in the Army turned totally dependent and disable
due to multiple injuries sustained during fighting against
separatist terrorists. Those incurable injuries range from brain
damage or paralysis, spinal cord, amputations, impaired hearing,
vision and speech defects, psychological imbalance, loss of legs
and limbs, yet ambulant with assistance, vertigo, loss of memory
and suchlike and warrant 24 hour surveillance. Commander of the
Army, well aware of the limited opportunities available at their
home-fronts for such caring and therapy took an enormous
interest in realization of the arduous task with determination
and dedication.
Receiving overwhelming financial
and material support from island-wide and international
philanthropists, donors and all the Army Regiments, the project
was successfully completed, earlier than planned, thanks to the
unstinted backing received for infrastructure, planning and
construction by hundreds of War Heroes of 2 Engineer Services
Regiment, Corps of Engineers and all other Regiments in the
Army.
Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Forces
Headquarters, Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna, 23 Division
Headquarters, Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Sri Lanka Artillery
Regiment, Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Gajaba Regiment, Special
Force Regiment, Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps, Sri Lanka
Sinha Regiment, Mechanized Infantry Regiment, Sri Lanka
Electrical & Mechanical Engineers Regiment, Engineer Service
Regiment, Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police Regiment, Sri Lanka
Military Academy and Sri Lanka Army Disabled Sports Committee
were among Army establishments that donated more than Rs 1
million, each towards the success story of the project.
Private sector donors, David Peiris
Motor Company Limited, Diesel & Motor Engineering Company
Limited, Lanka Ashok Leyland Limited, MAS Holdings, Mobitel
Private Limited, ORIT, Wickramarathne Private Limited,
Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, Etisalat Lanka Private Limited,
Hatton National Bank - Head Office, Mr K.K.N Jayathilaka, Hemas
Hospital, International Construction Private Limited, Seylan
Bank and SWP Vanitha Ekamuthuwa - Kandy, offered more than Rs 1
million, each to the 'Abimansala' project, impressed with the
noble objective of it. In addition, various individual groups
and donors, patriots and well-wishers did their part silently
towards realization of the unprecedented project of our times,
but wanted to remain anonymous at all times.
The Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB)
on the instructions of its President Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya
since initial planning threw its full weight behind through the
most vital 'Brave Hearts' fund-raising project until its
completion and expects to expand the project to other areas as
well in the future, considering needs of some 300 dependent
disable War Heroes living in different districts. To this
effect, the SVAB conducted a string of fund-raising programmes,
including musical shows, fashion shows, public fairs, sale of
T-shirts, caps, wrist bands and the like throughout the past one
year after and before the auspicious ground-breaking began in
late May, last year.
The 'Abimansala' to be run, headed
by a Commandant and 8 senior officers and 111 other ranks
(administrative section) will have another group of 8 officers
and 84 other ranks and 40 medical assistants exclusively for the
service at the medical and rehabilitation section in the
wellness resort and is expected to be facilitated with two
ambulances, three vans, one car, one bus, one lorry, one tractor
and one motorbike. The centre, depicting architecture of the
highest standards, done by the architect, Mr Vinod Jayasinghe,
also offers a multitude of facilities such as religious tours,
entertainment, computer learning, etc to War Hero families and
their children who would be visiting their beloved disable
inmates for a specific period of time.
A large gathering of religious
dignitaries, Ministers, diplomats, Governor for north central
province, Chief Minister, donors, sponsors, artistes,
well-wishers, parents and family members of disable War Heroes,
senior Army officers and other invitees attended the inaugural
ceremony. (Ends) Watch Video
(
Date: Wednesday, 27th July2011)
Source:
www.defence.lk
SVU
Chairperson meets with "Api Wenuwen Api" house bearers
War heroes who received houses
under "Api Wenuwen Api" housing scheme in Badulla and Moneragala
districts met with Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa, the chairperson of
Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit on 25th July.
The meeting was organized by the
Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit facilitating the house
bearers to bring forward their comments on recently completed
housing project.
Also the meeting was enabled them
to forward their difficulties to the relevant authorities. Few
house bearers tabled difficulties faced when obtaining
electricity connection for their houses, and chairperson agreed
to involve personally solving those difficulties.
Participants presented a memento to
the Chairperson appreciating her service rendered to welfare of
war heroes who made sacrifices to defend motherland.
(
Date: Wednesday, 27th July2011)
Source:
www.defence.lk
Countdown Begins to 'Abimansala' Opening
The countdown to the ceremonial
opening of the 'Abimansala', the wellness resort for totally
dependent disable War Heroes at Anuradhapura where they are
provided a lifeline during the rest of their lifetime, has begun
with its inauguration fixed for 26 July 2011, headed by His
Excellency, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The mammoth construction,
conceptualized by Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya,
Commander of the Army who formally as the Commander, Security
Forces, Wanni himself went through the traumas of atrocities,
perpetrated by terrorists on valiant fellow-soldiers in the
battlefield, cost a little over Rs 200 million, and was
extensively sponsored by the Army's theme project, 'Brave
Hearts' spearheaded by the Seva Vanitha Army Branch, chaired by
Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya.
Secretary to President Mr Lalith
Weerathunga, Secretary Defence Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in
addition to Ministers, diplomats, dignitaries and a host of
invitees are expected to grace the occasion along with President
Rajapaksa.
The 'Abimansala', equipped with
state of the art modern therapeutic technological aids,
much-needed by those disable War Heroes, the unsung valiant men
of our times, is to house 52 dependent soldiers in the company
of their family members, chosen from the Anuradhapura district
as the first of its kind in this region.
Photos display a view of the
picturesque landscape and the complex as on Saturday (23) after
all construction work was completed, thanks to marvellous
gestures of world-wide donors, philanthropists and not least,
infrastructure and labour provided by Engineer troops and all
other soldiers of the Army.
(
Date: Wednesday, 27th July2011)
Source:
www.defence.lk
31 houses hand over to war heroes completing "Api Wenuwen Api"
4th phase
Completing the fourth phase of the
"Api Wenuwen Api" housing project launched by the Ministry of
Defence, 31 houses were handed over among the war heroes and
their families in Badulla and Hambantota districts under the
patronage of Commander-In-Chief His Excellency President Mahinda
Rajapaksa on 25th June.
Inaugurating the function, His
Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open the house
built at Athiliwewa for war hero Corporal J.K Vipula Kumara
while the main function was held at the Athiliwewa primary
school at Thelulla in Wellawaya, Monaragala district.
Ministry of Defence launched the "Api
Wenuwen Api" housing project to construct 700 housing units
island-wide for the war heroes and it is notable that, many Sri
Lankans living in here and abroad, showing their gesture on
security forces, have contributed to the "Api Wenuwen Api"
housing fund at the request of HE President Mahinda Rajapaksa
and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The Api Wenuwen Api Fund was a
concept of President Rajapaksa, and after years of hard work and
dedication by Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the
President's brainchild now has become a tangible reality and so
far succeeded in providing hundreds of houses to war heroes
across the country while catering for many other social welfare
matters of service personnel in combined forces and Police.
The "Api Wenuwen Api" housing
project was supervised by defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit
under its leadership of Chairperson Mrs Ioma Rajapaksa.
Vice President of Defence
Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs Indu Rathnayake speaking to
defence.lk said that this project will continue to build houses
for war heroes covering all districts of the country. "So far 88
houses were given to service personnel in Kandy, Kurunegala,
Matara and Hambantota districts in the first, second and third
phase of the project", she added.
"In the fourth phase of the project
28 army personnel, one navy sailor and two air forces personnel
received houses" she further said.
Governor of Uva Province Nanda
Mathiw, Ministers Nimal Siripala De Silva, Sumedha G Jayasena,
Luxman Senevirathna, Jagath Pushpakumara, Uva chief minister
Shasheendra Rajapaksa, deputy minister secretary to the
president Lalith Weerathunga, Defence Secretary Gotabaya
Rajapaksa, parliamentarians representing Badulla and Moneragala
districts, members of provincial council, additional secretaries
and senior officials of ministry of defence, senior officers of
armed services and police, family members of war heroes received
houses and public in the area also participated at the event.
(
Date: Thursday, 28th July2011)
Source:
www.defence.lk
Commander in Chief hands over houses for war heroes
Commander in Chief His Excellency
President Mahinda Rajapaksa this morning (18) participated in a
ceremony in Matara to hand over houses built for war heroes.
President Rajapaksa handed over 36
houses built in matara and Hambanthota districts to war heroes
as the third phase of housing project carried out through "Api
Venuven Api" fund.
Symbolizing the occasion, the
President handed over the keys of a house to Private W. L.
Ariyadasa of the Mechanized Infantry Regiment and other keys
were handed over to 24 service personnel of SL Army, 5 personnel
of SL Navy and 6 personnel of SL Air Force by the president
later in the ceremony held at Kirilipana Primary school in
Deniyaya, Matara.
The "api wenuwen api" fund was a
concept of President Rajapaksa, and after years of hard work and
dedication by secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the
President's brainchild now has become a tangible reality and so
far succeeded in providing hundreds of houses to war heroes
across the country while catering for many other social welfare
matters of service personnel in combined forces and Police.
Addressing the gathering, Secretary
Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa emphasized that all must thankful
to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for introducing "Api Venuven Api"
concept not only for looking at the welfare of war heroes but
also to uplift social status of war heroes who made their
fullest contribution to safeguard the motherland.
The Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha
Unit supervises the "Api Venuven Api" housing project
spearheaded by Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa under the guidance of The
Secretary Defence.
This project will continue to build
houses for war heroes covering all districts of the country. So
far 52 houses were given to service personnel in Kandy and
Kurunegala districts in the first and second phases of the
project.
Governor of Southern Province
Kumari Balasuriya, Ministers including Dullas Alahapperuma,
Commanders of the tri-forces, Police Chief, and other senior
government officers were also present.
(
Date: Monday, 20th December2010)
Source:
www.defence.lk
"Api
Wenuwen Api" third phase to hand over 36 houses among war heroes
The third phase of Api Wenuwen Api
programme will give away 36 houses to needy war heroes in Matara
and Hambantota districts under the patronage of His Excellency
the President, Mahinda Rajapaksa on 18 December.
The President will hand over keys
to war heroes at a special function organized by the Ministry of
Defence at Marakirilipana Primary School in Deniyaya Matara.
The Api Wenuwen Api Fund was a
concept of President Rajapaksa, and after years of hard work and
dedication by Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the
President's brainchild now has become a tangible reality and so
far succeeded in providing hundreds of houses to war heroes
across the country while catering for many other social welfare
matters of service personnel in combined forces and Police.
The objective of the project is to
uplift the living standards of families of war heroes by
assisting them to build their own houses on plots of lands owned
by them.
Accordingly, this project will
continue to build houses for war heroes covering all districts
of the country. So far 52 houses were given to service personnel
in Kandy and Kurunegala districts in the first and second phase
of the project.
(
Date: Wednesday, 17th December2010)
Source:
www.defence.lk
'David-Peiris Motors' presents 33Mn for 'Ranaviru Home'
constructions
A donation worth of Rs. 33million
was presented Thursday (Sep 23), facilitating ongoing
construction work at the Aththidiya 'Ranaviru Nikethanaya' by
the David Peiris Motor Company.
The cash cheque
was presented to Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapksa this
morning by the company President Mr. David Peiris.
David Peiris
Motors Director Mr. Jagath Kulathunge was also present at the
occasion.
(
Date: Wednesday, 05th October2010)
Source:
www.defence.lk
Second phase of "Api
Wenuwen Api" housing project completed: 27 houses handed over to
war heroes
Twenty seven houses constructed at
Thorayaya, Kurunegala as the second phase of the "Api Wenuwen
Api " housing project, were ceremonially handed over to the war
heroes and their families by Commander-in-Chief, HE President
Mahinda Rajapaksa today, 5th September.
The President handed over the fist
key of those houses to the widow and children of a fallen war
hero Petty Officer TMRK Tennakoon of Sri Lanka Navy who made his
utmost sacrifice for defending the motherland while serving in
the battle front in 2007.
Ministry of Defence launched the "Api
Wenuwen Api" housing project to construct 700 housing units
island-wide for the war heroes. Completing its first phase, 25
houses built at Senarathgama, Kandy were handed over to the war
heroes under the patronage of HE President Mahinda Rajapaksa in
last July. It is notable that, many Sri Lankans living in here
and abroad, showing their gesture on security forces, have
contributed to the "Api Wenuwen Api" housing fund at the request
of HE President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabaya
Rajapaksa.
During the ceremony held to handing
over the keys of the newly built houses, packs of school items
were also distributed among the school children of those war
heroes' families.
North Western province Governor Mr
Tissa R Balalla, North Western Chief Minister Mr Athula
Wijesinghe, Defence Secretary Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Chairperson
of the Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs Ioma Rajapaksa,
Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Air Force Air Chief
Marcel Roshan Gunathilake, Commander of the Army Lt General
Jagath Jayasooriya, Commander of the Navy Vise Admiral Thisara
Samarasinghe were also participated at the event. The objective
of the "Api Wenuwen Api" project is to uplift the living
standards of families of war heroes by assisting them to build
their own house. The housing project is conducted under the
guidance and close supervision of the Defence Secretary Gotabaya
Rajapaksa and Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit chairperson
Ioma Rajapaksa.
(
Date: Sunday, 06th September2010)
Source:
www.defence.lk
War heroes
receive new houses from the President
His Excellency President Mahinda
Rajapaksa handed over the keys of 25 houses this morning (11) in
Senarathgama, Kandy built under the first phase of the programme
launched to construct 700 housing units for war heroes under
the 'Api Wenuwen Api' concept.
The beneficiaries were the war
heroes who were killed or become disabled while serving in the
battlefront to defend the motherland. Also several war heroes
currently in service were among the beneficiaries. Defence
Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was also present at the ceremony.
The housing project is nearing completion under the able
guidance and close supervision of the Defence Secretary. The
Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit made the financial
contribution and supervised the implementation of the project
while three forces contributing the manpower.
H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa
who arrived at the site handed over the keys of the first house
to the widow and the child of Sergeant Karunawansha of the Sri
Lanka Army. Thereafter President Rajapaksa ceremonially cut the
ribbon and entered the house. The late sergeant Karunawansha had
paid the supreme sacrifice in the patriotic war against
terrorism. Later, President Rajapaksa who participated at the
ceremony donated the other 24 houses to the respective
beneficiaries symbolically by handing over the keys.
Beneficiaries also received sets of
cutlery and crockery and various gifts to children. Mr. Lakshman
Hulugalle Director General of Media Centre for National Security
explained to the audience the objectives of the 'Api Wenuwen Api'
fund and its implementation.
Central Province governor Tikiri
Kobbakaduwa, Minister of Mass Media Keheliya Rambukwella,
Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake,
Parlimentarians, Chairperson of Defence Ministry's Seva Vaqnitha
Unit Mrs Ioma Rajapakse, three forces commanders and Inspector
General of Police also participated to grace the occasion.
(
Date: Sunday, 12th July2010)
Source:
www.defence.lk
A place they can
call their own
Under the
second phase of the 'Api Wenuwen Api' programme, houses are
being built for soldiers and war widows, who have land but no
means to build.
Sgt. Major W.P. Ariyaratne is a
happy man. He is eagerly looking forward to moving into his
newly built house with his wife and three children, at the end
of this month after long years of roughing it out with parents
and in rented housing, while serving at the warfront. Since
1996, Sgt. Major Ariyaratne has served in the operation areas of
Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, Kalmunai and Akkaraipattu. He was in
all the Riviresa operations in the Special Operations Platoon.
With the end of the war, his dedication has been rewarded. In
this second stage of the Api Wenuwen Api programme, houses are
being built for soldiers of the Army, Navy and Air Force, who
have a land of their own but no means to build a house.
Ariyaratne said he had purchased
the land using his savings together with the sale of a small
property he had and a loan from his sister. He also took a loan
from the People's Bank for levelling the property which was on a
hillock. The house, built by Army Engineers is now in its final
stages. Work started on March 18 and is scheduled to be
completed by the end of June. Ariyaratne has been granted
permission to be in Kandy to see the final stages of
construction. It is a comfortable house with three bedrooms, a
spacious sitting and dining area, kitchen, a tiled, fitted
bathroom inside, an outside toilet and a carport.
Having lived with his parents,
Ariyaratne and his family moved to Gurudeniya in Kandy to admit
his children to school. His eight-year-old daughter has gained
admission to Kandy Girls' High School and he hopes to get his
sons aged three and two also into schools in Kandy. In
Senarathgama, Katugastota, Sujeewa Udayangani, 30, and her 4 1/2
year-old daughter Amaya, are also preparing to move into the
house built for them through the 'Api Wenuwen Api' programme.
The Army Engineers unit was hard at work to finish the house by
the end of the month.
Although relieved to have the
house, Sujeewa is mourning the death of her husband. Staff
Sergeant M.D.S.K.Karunawansa of the Special Forces, was killed
in action on May 18, last year, in the final day of battle at
Puthumathalan. Married for four years, Udayangani said her
husband, who counted 14 years in the army, worked mostly in the
north even after marriage. "I wrote to the Defence Secretary and
Army Commander, through his Regiment, appealing for a house,"
Udayangani said. They had lived in a rented house and when the
lease ran out, she moved to her mother's house in Senarathgama.
Her mother had written a plot of land in her name. As it was on
a slope and not suitable for building, her brother obligingly
exchanged his land for hers. "I am so happy to have this home,
close to my family," Udayangani said. Speaking to the Sunday
Times, Major General Prasad Samarasinghe, Military Spokesman,
said when Defence Secretary Col (Retd) Gotabhaya Rajapaksa took
over, he found that the first task was to boost the morale of
the service personnel. The strength of the forces was increased
and many youths from the villages were recruited. The burning
issue among the forces he said was a lack of housing. Thus the
project Api Wenuwen Api was proposed and inaugurated through the
Ministry of Defence and the Mahinda Chinthanaya, with the aim of
providing 50,000 houses for Army, Navy and Air Force personnel
who fought in the war to wipe out terrorism from the country.
In the first phase of the project,
1509 houses were constructed at Ipalogama, Anuradhapura for war
heroes of the three forces, who had no houses of their own. 'Rana
Jayapura Housing Village was declared open by President Mahinda
Rajapaksa in November 2009. Spread over 180 acres, it is a large
cantonment, equipped with facilities for education, health,
banking, a supermarket etc. While the cost of each house was
Rs.1.4 million, the cost of infrastructure was around Rs. 2.1
million. The recipients were the families of Army, Navy and Air
Force personnel. It included those in service as well as those
who are disabled, missing or killed in action. Phase 2 of the
project has now been launched to construct 700 houses, under the
Seva Vanitha branch of the Defence Ministry, led by Ms. Ioma
Rajapaksa. Maj. Gen. Samarasinghe says the Ministry has found
that there are many soldiers who have some land but no money to
build a house. The beneficiaries have been identified and
construction was inaugurated with 30 houses in Kandy and
Kurunegala districts in March this year. Each house is estimated
to cost Rs. one million, excluding the labour which is provided
by the Engineer regiments of the three forces. Construction is
supervised by the Seva Vanitha.
In the Kurunegala district, the
construction is being handled by the Navy engineers, and
recipients are from both Army and Navy. At Thoreyaya in
Kurunegala, the wife of Petty Officer T.M.R.K. Tennekoon is one
of the recipients. Her husband has been missing in action since
December 2007, when the Dvora he was serving on was blasted by
the terrorists. Her daughter Methma is five years old. "Neither
my husband nor I owned a house," said Indu Jayani Jayasuriya.
She lived with her husband's father in Galigamuwa and when her
daughter was admitted to Maliyadeva, moved to Kurunegala. "When
I heard about the 'Api Wenuwen Api' programme, I somehow managed
to purchase 16 perches of land by taking a loan. I suffered a
lot after my husband's death," she says grateful to the Navy
Welfare for making it possible for her to get this house.
Another recipient S.P.J. Senarath who has served 16 years in the
Navy is now posted in Mankulam. His wife Deepani said she had
land in her parents' property in Alawwa but could not think of
building with two small children of 3 1/2 years and six months
old, as her husband was away most of the time. "We are grateful
to the President, the Defence Secretary and the Navy Commander
for giving us this opportunity," Deepani said. "Construction
started on March 18, and we have had no expenses at all as it is
being done by the Navy engineers." During the war, there were
many contributions to the fund, Maj. Gen. Samarasinghe said. "We
had a good response from Sri Lankans here as well as those
living abroad, particularly in the UK, US, Italy and the Middle
East." It is hoped that contributions would continue to come in
so that more war heroes could be looked after. Those who wish to
build houses in memory of a loved one could contribute to the
fund. Various organisations also could participate by donating
the cost of one or more houses, he said adding that the Ministry
has the mechanism to support the project which has been approved
by Parliament and functions under a Board of Trustees. The fund
is in a Bank of Ceylon account. "It is the duty of Sri Lankans
to look after the soldiers who have fought for the country," he
added. "Sri Lankans living abroad could also make their
contribution to the nation."
