His
Excellency Mahinda Rajapksa, President of Sri Lanka and the
Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces today handed over
Ranajayapura mega housing scheme to the war heroes. At a
ceremony held at Ipalogma, the President handed over keys of 100
houses to their owners.
Ranajayapura is a concept made reality under the Mahinda
Chinthana program, the President's vision for the country's
future. The housing scheme at Ipalogama marks the completion of
the first phase of total project aimed at building 50,000 houses
for the war heroes. Ranajayapura is the largest ever housing
project built for the war heroes consisting 1509 completed
houses with all modern amenities.
The
project was planned and implemented by the Ministry of Defence
under the leadership of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
With his great interest in ' looking after the men behind the
weapon" , the Defence Secretary gave the top priority to housing
project over many other Ranaviru welfare projects carried out
under his guidance.
Additional Secretary of Defence, and the project coordinator Mr.
Willy Gmamage speaking to defence.lk said that the cost of each
three roomed house with bathroom, pantry and a ten perch land
was Rs. 1.4 million. The government has borne Rs. 600,000 of the
total cost and the remaining Rs. 800,000 was given as interest
free loans to the recipients which are expected to be recovered
within ten to fifteen years. Also, the housing scheme is
provided with a Super Market, a Bank of Ceylon branch, a primary
school a daycare unit and a well equipped hospital .
The
Foundation stone was laid for the project on the 14th December
2006. The construction was initially undertaken by NACL but
later taken over by the Sri Lanka Navy engineers. With an
untiring effort and commitment, navy engineers accomplished the
task of completing 1509 houses within 15 months.
Former Commander of the Navy Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda made
tremendous efforts even during the humanitarian operations to
accelerate the project. After him, Vice Admiral Thisara
Samarasinghe, Commander of the Navy taken over the uphill task
and accomplished it. The following graph shows the speedy
progress of the project after taken over by the Navy.
(
Date: Monday, 23rd November2009)
Source:
www.defence.lk
Central Finance
contributes Rs. 3,407,500 for "Api Wenuwen Api" fund
Central finance Company PLC handed over a cheque worth of Rs.
3,407,500 to Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 13
November. This contribution is for the lease of three wheelers
under the "CF Viru Diri Leasing" scheme.
According to the records, CF has leased 1,363 three wheelers in
October 2009 under the "CF Viru Diri Leasing" scheme. CF
contributes Rs. 2500 from each three wheeler they lease as
agreed upon, to the "Api Wenuwen Api" fund Mr. Jaliya
Illangakoon (Regional Manager), Mr. Prasanna De Silva (General
Manager - Credit) and Mr. Chandika Hettiarrachchi, (Assistant
General Manager - Credit) representing the Central Finance
Company PLC, also participated at the occasion.
(
Date: Monday, 23rd November2009)
Source:
www.defence.lk
Wijeya news
papers contributes Rs. 1000,000 to the "Api Wenuwen Api" fund
Employees of Wijeya
News Papers Ltd has made their contribution, a sum of One
million rupees to the " Api Wenuwen Api" Fund. Mr. Lal
Jayawardena, the Executive Officer Wijeya News Papers Ltd handed
over the donation worth of one million rupees cheque to
Secretary Defence Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the office of the
Defence Secretary on 13 November.
The Api Wenuwen Api
fund has been raised by the Ministry of Defence for the benefit
of war heroes who liberated the country from 30 years of brutal
terrorism. Mr Prithe Viraj Silva Director Finance and Mr.
Ariyananda Dombagahawatta Editor Sunday Lankadeepa also
participated at the occasion.
(
Date: Monday, 23rd November2009)
Source:
www.defence.lk
1509 houses to be
handed over to soldiers under the "Api Wenuwen Api" housing fund
The houses build by
the "Api Wenuwen Api" fund will be handed over to 1509 valiant
soldiers on 22nd November by H.E. the President Mahinda
Rajapaksa, said additional Secretary of Ministry of Defence Mr.
Willy Gamage at a media briefing at Media Centre for National
Security premises.
He further stated
that Public Relation and Development division of the Ministry of
Defence is building 50000 houses for soldiers under the
supervision of the Secretary of Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The first phase in
this venture is to donate free of charge a plot of land for the
soldiers who have no houses. The second is to give a loan or
donate funds to soldiers currently in service in order to build
their house. He clarified that this loan would be given interest
free to all service men with a special emphasis on disable
soldiers. Also the third step is to join with government
institutions to continue this housing project. Accordingly every
GS Division together with the Ministry of Nation Building will
be constructing two houses each for soldiers. As the fourth
phase in this venture Ranaviru Villages will be established in
rural areas according to a concept of the secretary of Defence.
The first Ranaviru Village is established in Ipologama area in
the Anuradhapura district. Mr. Gamage went on to say that an
area of 180 acres had been used to build the village and 1509
houses have been fully constructed.
He went on to state
that the specialty in this Housing Project is that it veers away
from the traditional low cost project types to create a place of
high quality facilities in order to uplift the pride of the
brave soldiers who saved their motherland. Furthermore this town
would have high quality schools, good roads, banks, playgrounds
and super markets Mr. Gamage clarified. He stated that the main
aim in this project was to enhance the living conditions of the
brave war heroes who have done so much for their country.
He further affirmed
that the Government would be spending a sum of 2.5 million
rupees each for the houses being constructed for the soldiers
while stating that when giving these houses they would exclude
the cost of land and give them for a reasonable price of 800,000
rupees. Furthermore facilities have been made for this sum to be
paid interest free over a period of 20 years.
He clarified that
steps have been taken to donate several houses in the 'Rana Jaya
Pura' Housing Project to chosen servicemen on the 22nd of
November. The persons to receive these houses have been
meticulously chosen by the respective welfare directors he
stated.
Speaking at the media
briefing Director General of the Media Centre for National
Security Mr. Lakshman Hulugalle stated that this was the first
time in the history of Sri Lanka that a housing project
comprising of 50000 houses was initiated for the benefit of the
soldiers. He went on to say that Ranaviru villages would be
constructed and donated for the use of the soldiers as a part of
this project. He affirmed that the Secretary of Defence was
personally dedicated to ensure the success of this project and
he had visited every district in order to look into the welfare
of the war heroes and their families. As a prelude to that the
housing project had been established. Furthermore the Defence
Services College has been in progress for over 02 years and
steps would be taken to increase its facilities in the future.
Apart from that the Kotalawela Defence Academy had been
conferred the status of a university while also increasing the
salaries of the Defence personnel in order to uplift their
living conditions. He clarified that the Government had taken
adequate steps to ensure the living standards of the soldiers.
Military Spokesman
Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, Assistant Secretary of the Ministry
of the Defence Ms. Malkanthi Rajapaksa along with many members
of the media was present at the media briefing.
(
Date: Monday, 23rd November2009)
Source:
www.defence.lk
War heroes remembered; Poppy
week
begins
The
'Poppy day and the Security Forces Heroes' day will be
commemorated today (08 November) morning at the War Memorial at
Vihara Maha Devi Park. War heroes paid the supreme sacrifice for
a better tomorrow for all of us. Hence, it is our paramount duty
to pay tribute to their martyrdom.
Poppy Day is
commemorated internationally on second Sunday of November. It
was started in 1921 and the proceeds from the sale of Poppy
flowers' are used to fund the welfare of the families of war
heroes. According to the folk lore, blood red Poppy flowers had
bloomed where heroes of the First World War (1914-18) were
buried.
A few months after
the end of the war, an American woman, Moina Michel wore a Poppy
flower to symbolize the heroism of the heroes who died in
action. After that, the YMCA took the initiative and sold Poppy
flowers and proceeds used to uplift to life of the people in
war-ravaged areas in France.
Poppy flowers were
brought to the first ever Commemoration ceremony held in England
from France. Next year in 1922 a Poppy flower manufacturing
centre was set up in London, giving a fillip to the
international Poppy flower movement.
It was in the month
of November that the Second World War recorded its victory over
fascism and Nazism. So it is the appropriate choice to pay our
tribute to heroes.
Tomorrow (08) war
heroes who paid their supreme sacrifice in World Wars and in the
patriotic anti-terrorist war will be remembered. The funds
collected by the sale of Poppy flowers are used for the welfare
of the families of the heroes including the disabled. The
ex-servicemen too are looked after. Elderly ex-servicemen who
live in the Elders' Home in Katana make small wreaths from Poppy
flowers in memory of their brethren who had paid the supreme
sacrifice.
The war heroes' day
or the Poppy Day is commemorated in all war heroes' memorials
throughout the island, in a simple but dignified manner.
Let us wear a Poppy
flower proudly to express our gratitude to the heroes who
sacrificed their youth for the sake of our motherland. We must
not forget that it is our responsibility to ensure a bright
future for the families of the war heroes, for they ensured a
bright future for the present and future generations.
(
Date: Tuesday, 10th November2009)
Source:
www.defence.lk
Nation salutes
war heroes on "Remembrance Day"
The "Remembrance
Day", annually organized by the Ex-Servicemen Association in
memory of fallen War Heroes was held at Viharamahadevi Park
Colombo, today (08 November) with attendance of a host of
distinguished guests and service personnel.
The Chief Guest of
the event Former Army Commander General (Retd) Hamilton
Wanasinghe and other invited guests were welcomed at the
entrance by the senior office bearers of the Ex-Servicemen
Association pinning a poppy flower on them.
After a two-minute
silence was observed, the Last Post by Tri-services buglers was
sounded bringing everybody present to attention in memory of the
Remembered. Religious observances of four major faiths were
conducted by respective priests and then the National Anthem was
recited.
Next was the time to
pay floral tribute in memory of all valiant servicemen who
sacrificed their lives in the two World Wars and those who died
combating terrorism and insurgencies in the country. The Chief
Guest and other invitees including Chief of Staffs representing
Commanders of Tri-services, foreign diplomats and military
officers, living soldiers who fought at the World War II and
soldiers who became differently-able during war in the north and
east placed floral wreaths at the foot of the cenotaph.
Culmination of the
Remembrance Day programme saw a smart parade that saluted the
cenotaph. Sri Lanka Air Force Band, Tri-service soldiers, Ex
servicemen and Sri Lankan soldiers who served with the Royal
Army, marched forward with their shining decorates and dignity.
(
Date: Tuesday, 10th November2009)
Source:
www.defence.lk
Patriots fund "Api
Wenuwen Api" housing scheme
Peace loving citizens
and patriots have joined to further strengthen the "Api Venuven
Api Fund" , the noble concept launched to build houses for
soldiers. Nearly 3.5 million rupees collected by Tea
Smallholders on behalf of the Fund was handed over to President
Rajapaksa. The presentation took place at Temple Trees
yesterday.
Managing Directors of
the KDU Group of Companies Saman Upasena and Thushan Upasena,
representing the Tea Smallholders handed in the donation. In
addition, the KDU Group of Companies donated 2.5 million rupees
for the "Ranaviru" Fund.
(
Date: Tuesday, 10th November2009)
Source:
www.defence.lk
Donation to "Api
Wenuwen Api"
A
group of Sri Lankan students from Griffith University, Nathan
Campus Queensland Australia has organized a musical event to
raise funds for the war heroes. They have collected a sum of Rs.
537,470 for the "Api Wenuwen Api" fund.
Mr.
Nalin Attygalle and Mr. Abe Amaradasa representing the students
handed over the donation to Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya
Rajapaksa at the Ministry today.
The
students have sent a message along with the donation stating
that, "All the students under 24 years want to show the entire
world that we, Sri Lankans are united and we care for our
brothers and sisters in armed forces. We really appreciate the
political leadership of His Excellency the president Mahinda
Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa and entire
Sri Lankan forces for their outmost commitment towards
liberating the country from terrorism. Now we Sri Lankan stand
taller than anyone else in the world as the only nation who has
been able to eradicate terrorism."
(
Date: Tuesday, 20th October2009)
Source:
www.defence.lk
"Viru Diri
Leasing" of Central Finance contributes Rs. 2,562,500 for Api
Wenuwen Api
Central finance Company PLC handed over a cheque worth of Rs.
2,562,500 to Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa today.
This contribution is for the lease of 1025 three wheelers under
the "CF Viru Diri Leasing" scheme.
Mr.
Prasanna De Silva (General Manager - Credit),Mr. Anil
Goonathilaka (Senior Assistant General Manager - Marketing) Mr.
Chandika Hettiarrachchi, (Assistant General Manager - Credit)
Mr. Mangala Artigala (Product Manager) representing the Central
Finance Company PLC, participated at the occasion. CF
contributes Rs. 2500 to the "Api Wenuwen Api" fund for every
three wheeler they lease under "Viru Diri Leasing" scheme.
(
Date: Tuesday, 20th October2009)
Source:
www.defence.lk
More Donations
for "Api Wenuwen Api" fund
A
sum of $ 1885 received as a donation for "Api Wenuwen Api" fund
from Sri Lankan expatriates living in California USA, was handed
over to Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Ministry
today by Mr. Bernard Peiris. Prior to this, Sri Lankan
expatriates in California have contributed a sum of $ 35860.17
for the "Api Wenuwen Api" fund.
The
'Poppy day and the Security Forces Heroes' day will be
commemorated today (08 November) morning at the War Memorial at
Vihara Maha Devi Park. War heroes paid the supreme sacrifice for
a better tomorrow for all of us. Hence, it is our paramount duty
to pay tribute to their martyrdom. 
