|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 3 June 2004 |
 |
|
 |
News | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
President pays tribute to members of the Armed Forces and Police "We are grateful to the gallant members of the Armed Forces and the Police who ignored the youthfulness of their lives and dedicated themselves to safeguard the national security and territorial integrity of the country. During the present time when the guns are though even temporarily silent in the search for permanent peace, we expect from them an equally dedicated service in a different way," said President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga addressing the ceremony to distribute interest free Housing Loans among members of the armed services and police, held at the Presidential Secretariat last Monday. The interest free Housing Loan Scheme for Servicemen and Police officers is a Project implemented by the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Defence Ministry. The President said that at a moment when the provision of welfare facilities for servicemen were confined to Welfare and Seva Vanitha units and private philanthropists, the Rana Viru Seva Authority was set up in the year 1999, recognizing the Government's responsibility to undertake the welfare of the servicemen as a top priority. She said "I am happy to note that of all the welfare activities of the Rana Viru Seva Authority the Housing Scheme, which is my brain child, is the most successful project. The Rana Viru Seva Authority functioning under the President provides a number of services to disabled soldiers as well as to those in active service. Financial assistance to build houses, vocational training to family members of soldiers who are willing to start self-employment ventures and psychiatric counselling for family members of soldiers killed in action are among them". Referring to the Rana Viru Park at Mailapitiya, Kandy, she said that names of more than 23,000 war heroes are engraved on the War Memorial at this park situated in a scenic locality and that June 07 every year is declared as the National War Heroes' Day which is commemorated at this park each year. In spite of the ongoing cease-fire, the need to be alert by keeping all necessary points including bunkers and buildings in good stead, conducting regular training and maintaining high standard in intelligence units, punctuality and attention, and to be ever prepared and matters which did not need reminding. "Your dedication in this different way, is the Government's hope today and for many more days to come" she concluded. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
