Air Force for unity among communities

Rafik Jalaldeen from Morawewa

The Air Force is immensely contributing towards building peace, unity and harmony among the communities in the East in addition to conducting humanitarian operations to assist civilians.

The Air Force Seva Vanitha Unit has organized an inter-school athletic meet to commemorate the International Children’s Day on Friday in Morawewa with the participation of more than 300 resettled schoolchildren representing all communities in the Morawewa area.

Chief guest at the event Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke said it is important to bring all communities under one banner to help them solve the differences and live in peace and harmony in a united country.

“They have gone through a hard time due to three decades of war and now they are experiencing peace and freedom. These children are the future of the nation and bringing them under one flag will usher and strengthen unity and peace among all communities,” he added.

Apart from providing security, the Air Force is assisting the Government to resettle the IDP’s in the Morawewa area. The Air Force helped the IDP farmers to use the resources and cultivate paddy in their lands. After harvesting their cultivation, the Air Force transported them to the market.

The Air Force also maintains and helps schools, religious places, agriculture, irrigation and many other activities in Morawewa and surrounding areas.

Morawewa Government Agent Ishan Wijethilaka said it was an important moment for people of the area to commemorate such an event together in peace and unity after three decades of war. Such events will establish a friendly environment in the war affected region.

“I appreciate the Air Force efforts to help people to build peace and unity. While the Government is focusing on the development of the region, the Air Force is assisting to develop social, cultural and psychological aspects among all communities. It is a vital need of the time,” he added.

Students from Morawewa Sinhala Vidyalaya, Namalwatte Muslim Vidyalaya, Awwainagar Tamil Vidyalaya and Nochchikulam Tamil Maha Vidyalaya participated in the inter-school athletic meet.

Meanwhile, the Air Force Seva Vanitha has opened a water tank at the 10th mile post in Morawewa to provide drinking water to more than 94 families resettled in the area.

The water tank was commissioned by Air Force Seva Vanitha Chairperson Nelum Goonetileke.

The Sinhala community resettled in the Morawewa area are in need of a school for their children. The Air Force Seva Vanitha has laid the foundation to fulfil the need at Tract-6 in the Morawewa area. The Air Force Commander and the Air Force Seva Vanitha Chairperson jointly laid the foundation stone for the proposed school.