A fitting tribute to, the heroism of the members of the tri forces

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A fitting tribute to, the heroism of the members of the tri forces
www.defence.lk">War heroes of the Tri Forces of Sri Lanka are the heroes of our times for they crushed the most brutal terrorist outfit of the world who possessed even air power, the LTTE. Unfortunately war heroes who hoisted the banner of victory in the battlefield, face economic constraints in day - to - day life. In the battlefield they had to undergo untold suffering without a shelter in sun and rain. Like everybody else, these war heroes had a dream of owning a house of their own. The Sri Lankan government and the Ministry of Defence were determined to realize their fond dream. This is the best way to pay the nation's gratitude. A grateful nation is prepared to pay their gratitude to the heroes by ensuring a prosperous future for them. It is also the paramount duty of all patriotic citizens. For this purpose 'Api Venuwen Api' Fund was launched and donations from patriots far and wide flowed in making the 'Ranaviru Housing Project' a reality. The Ranaviru housing project will go a long way in making the war heroes' families economically stable and inculcating in them self - esteem. The donations that augmented the Fund have made the war heroes' dream a reality. Accordingly 700 more houses will be built for war heroes.
The new housing project is being a realization of a concept of the H.E. President Mahinda Rajapakse and in being implemented under the able guidance of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse. The Chairperson of the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Ministry of Defence supervises the project. The work on the first phase of the project is nearing completion. The beneficiaries will the families whose breadwinners had paid the supreme sacrifice and those who are disabled and also those who are in active service. The first phase was initiated in Kandy and Kurunagala districts on 17 - 18 March. Priority was given to these two districts because of the concentration of a large number of war heroes in these two districts.
The rest of the war heroes in selected two districts will be the beneficiaries in the second phase of the project.
Under the programme the house for each war hero will be built in his own land. If the war hero has died in combat or missing in action, the land must be owned by him or by his widow. If the war hero is disabled or in active service it is essential that he must own a plot of land. A prominent feature of this project is that the new house of the war hero will be built in his familiar surrounding, enabling him to educate his children easily and to live comfortably with his relatives and neighbours. Thus, the new house will not uproot the war hero from his native soil.
Each house will have three rooms, a living room, a kitchen, a dining room, and a bath room. The Engineering Corps of the Tri forces will contribute their labor towards the construction of the houses. Currently they are working hard to make the dream of their colleagues a realty, utilizing to the maximum locally available resources. The members of the Engineering Corps spend their energy under difficult circumstances. It is significant that a single team works on the project. In constructing the new house, they take into consideration the special requirements of the disabled soldier.
Each house of 900 sq feet will be built on 8 - 10 perches and will be worth Rs. 25 lakhs. This project will be a boon to the war hero who possesses his own land but unable to build his own house.
The beneficiaries of this housing project have been selected at an interview at regiment level. However the goal will be to provide a new house to all war heroes under the 'Api Venuwen Api' Fund.
Mrs. Anoma Rajapakse, Chairperson of the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Ministry of Defence visits most difficult areas to supervise every house under construction. The members of the Unit also supervise the physical environment.
This housing project which utilize limited resources to gain maximum use has become a boon to the war heroes who were suffering for want of a decent shelter.
The H.E. President Mahinda Rajapakse will declare open the first phase of the new housing project on 11th July. Towards the end of July the project will be extended to Matara and Hambantota districts. The objective of the Ministry of Defence is to extend the project to cover all the districts in Sri Lanka.
The youth in their prime took on terrorists bravely and paid the supreme sacrifice. Many others lost their limbs. The members of the Army, Navy and Air Force fought against the terrorists to safeguard the sovereignty of the beloved motherland. We are ever grateful to their heroism. The new houses will be a fitting tribute to the heroism of the members of the tri forces.