Resort home for disabled war heroes

Sandasen MARASINGHE

Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya stated that a resort home will be established in Anuradhapura this year to house 50 disabled war heroes for their rest and recuperation.

These war heroes were rendered totally disabled during operations to eradicate LTTE terrorism and to usher peace and protect the territorial integrity of the country, he said.

Making this observation at a press conference held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel, Lieutenant General Jayasuriya stated that the project is initiated by the Seva Vanitha Army Branch on his directions to provide lifelong care for totally disabled war heroes.

These war heroes will be housed at Abimansala, the “Wellness Resort” with all comforts and facilities which would be constructed at a cost of approximately Rs. 150 million at Nuwara Wewa lakeside in Anuradhapura. Subsequently, a few more centers will be set up at regional level with the funds generated thereafter.

Referring to the statistics of disabled personnel, the Army Commander said that 14,234 of the army became disabled while 228 of them rendered totally disabled with multiple injuries. Those injuries range from spinal cord, brain damage and many other disabilities such as amputations, impaired hearing, vision, speech defects, paralysis, etc. Most of these heroes are in the prime of their youth with their full life ahead of them, but with permanent disabilities.

He further said that most of the disabled need specialized nursing care that cannot be obtained at domestic level. However, most of these heroes do not have adequate infrastructure at homes to meet their needs as the majority of them are from very rural areas. Some lack even basic needs and some others do not have proper shelter, either.

The centre will consist of an administrative centre, visitor centre with accommodation, health rooms consisting of Physiotherapy, Hydrotherapy, Counselling rooms, Ayurvedic treatment, laboratory, recreational centre that includes library, theatre, spa, religious centre, music room, games, etc. In addition it would include a kitchen, house keeping unit, staff quarters for doctors, nurses, officers and minor staff as well. The Seva Vanitha Army Branch has already collected Rs 30 million for this project but funds are expected through generous donations from the public, Sri Lankans living overseas, the corporate sector, and well-wishers.

A special Bank Account has been opened at the Bank of Ceylon Lake House Branch at D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka. Remittances can be made to the Brave Hearts Account bearing the No 9846021. The Welness Resort” will be fully owned and managed by the Sri Lanka Army.