Massive program for 70,000 war hero families

Wijayani EDIRISINGHE

The Defence Ministry has put in place a massive program for the welfare of 70,000 war hero families. The families of service personnel who were either killed, missing or maimed in safeguarding the Motherland for the past three decades will benefit.

This program supported by the Defence Ministry Seva Vanitha Unit and Ranaviru Seva Authority will go hand in hand with the Ministry’s Api Venuven Api program. This program is implemented by the Ministry in keeping with the pledge given by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the Mahinda Chintana.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has deployed a number of teams around the country to look into the welfare of war hero families. These teams comprise retired military officers and Ranaviru Seva Authority officials.

These war heroes families will receive the benefits from this massive welfare drive under 64 points.

These families will receive Government funds for the welfare and health of war heroes, legal aid to the family members who have family disputes under this program.

The homeless families will also be given lands and houses and the children will be provided foreign scholarships under this program.

According to Ranaviru Seva Authority Chairman Pathma Weththewa, the President has given instructions to ensure the welfare of the families of service personnel who were killed from the beginning to end of the conflict.