With Viru Dana Gee Sara proceeds:

Eighteen houses built for war hero families

Rafik Jalaldeen

The Seva Vanitha Unit of the Defence Ministry has built 18 houses, each valued Rs.2.5 million from the proceeds of the Viru Dana Gee Sara musical show which was held last year.

The Viru Dana Gee Sara musical show will be held for the second consecutive year on August 8 at the BMICH.

MCNS Director General Lakshman Hulugalla said the Viru Dana Gee Sara musical show was a great success. This program will be conducted this year too to raise funds to support families of soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country.

"Funds from the musical show will be used for the welfare of the families of soldiers who sacrificed their lives and to provide medical care for those disabled along with a scholarship and housing project etc," he added.

Head of the Seva Vanitha Unit Ayoma Rajapaksa said most of the money collected from last year's musical show had been used for the housing projects.

She said 18 houses were built by the Seva Vanitha Unit for the families of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives.

Each house is valued at Rs.2.5 million.

"We have a different plan to be implemented this year.

Most of the funds will be used for the welfare of families of soldiers, providing scholarships for their children and for the welfare of disabled soldiers and serving soldiers", she said.

Ayoma Rajapaksa noted that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa visited every district and met the families of soldiers and found out their grievances and needs.

"He had taken immediate action to meet their requirements and needs. He also sought the assistance of the Seva Vanitha Unit to fulfil this requirement," she added.

She observed that the Army hospital should be upgraded with more facilities. "We will also help the Army hospital with funds collected from the musical show," she added.

The Viru Dana Gee Sara will be held on August 8 at the BMICH at 6.30 pm. Tickets can be purchased for Rs.500.

The event is sponsored by Sri Lanka Telecom, Mobitel, the Bank of Ceylon, Abans, Cargills and the National Lotteries Board.