SVAB New Year fair

To Provide More Funds for War Heroes Welfare:

The 'Rana Aruna Udanaya', the New Year fair, organized by the Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB) with the intention of raising funds for multifarious welfare projects, meant largely for disable War Heroes, was opened by the Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya on Saturday (9) at Panagoda Army School grounds.

The New Year fair that sells almost all essentials, including traditional Sinhala-Hindu New Year sweetmeats at less than half the market price in line with the government's policy of providing essentials to the public at a reduced rate during the New Year season, is one among many welfare projects, spearheaded annually by the SVAB under the able guidance of its President, Manjulika Jayasuriya.

All saleable essentials at the fair have been collected collectively by all regimental Seva Vanitha Units and the SVAB membership for the benefit of the soldiers.

The New Year Fair, open to both Army personnel and the general public on Saturday (9) and Sunday (10) until late evening, is replete with a number of entertaining events of different nature.

Chief Guest Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, at the invitation of Manjulika Jayasuriya visited every stall and symbolically bought several items as an incentive to the SVAB project.

The SVAB, actively engaged in a multitude of welfare projects like construction of new houses for disable War Heroes or their next of kin, provision artificial limbs, medical equipment, etc, granting financial aid for house constructions, conduct of workshops for education of their families, distribution of school accessories and books, conduct of pre-schools for Ranaviru children, conduct of welfare shops, disbursement of special loan schemes, etc, collecting funds for all those worthy causes from local and overseas donors and agencies, philanthropists and through the conduct of musical events, exhibitions, fashion shows, fairs, Regimental Seva Vanitha Unit arrangements, etc.

The SVAB has been playing a leading role towards establishment and construction of the Anuradhapura wellness resort, 'Abimansala' project which is to be opened shortly. This unique concept, mooted by the Army Commander is expected to house permanently disabled War Heroes for rest and recreation along with members of their families.

The SVAB, throwing its weight behind the completion of the 'Abimansala' project, has to-date raised a considerable sum of the entire project, which have been praised by both soldiers and the general public.

Proceeds of this year's New Year fair is to be exclusively used for abovementioned projects after taking priorities of the recipients into consideration. This year's New Year fair exhibits replicas that represent age old New Year tradition and practices.

It has been setup by the Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps.

Courtesy Defence Ministry