http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=New_houses_for_the_families_of_Tamil_Women_Soldiers_20130205_05

 

New houses for the families of Tamil Women Soldiers

A housing project was launched in Kilinochchi for the families of the newly enlisted Tamil women soldiers on par with the 65th independence day celebrations yesterday (04th February). Under this project 100 housing units are planned to be built to uplift the living standards of the families of the Tamil women soldiers.

The foundation stone laying ceremony for the first phase of the project was held yesterday. Under the first phase of the project 20 houses will be constructed. Out of the 20 houses 8 houses will be built in the 57 Brigade area (Thirumurukkandi, Barathipuram, Wishwamadu,) while 6 houses each will build in the 65 and 66 Brigade areas(Thewampiddi, Mallawi, Mallawi North, Ponnagar, Nachchikuda, Shiwaneshwari, Ranjipuram, Pudamurippumalei, Paranthan, Mukkampiddi, Kandapuram, Akkarayankulam). Constructions of the houses will be carried out by the Sri Lanka Army.

The project will be by funded the Government. Each house is worth over Rs. 500,000.00. A sum of Rs. 10 million was handed over to authorities by the Governor of the Northern Province Major General (Retd) G A Chandrasiri towards the project at a function held recently.

Religious dignitaries, senior military officers and family members of the Tamil women soldiers were also present at the occasion.

Sri Lanka Army in November last year enlisted its biggest ever batch of 103 Tamil girls from Kilinochchi to the 6 SLAWC of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force during a landmark ceremony at 6 SLAWC Headquarters at Bharathipuram, Kilinochchi. Although the Army has a fair number of Tamils and Muslims serving the organization, it was the first time in its history a mass-scale recruitment of Tamil girls of this magnitude, took place as a gesture of goodwill and reconciliation. More than 200 girls applied for recruitment, but the Army was able to accommodate only 103 applicants after selecting the best in three rounds of interviews.

Majority of these girls were from the Northern Province yet there were a few from other parts of the country too. Recruiting youth to the Army is a positive sign showing that young blood of the Tamil populace starts a new life in a peaceful world in harmony with brothers and sisters of all communities. It is what would energize the future of the country.