EX-SERVICES NEWS

Sri Lanka EX- Servicemen’s Association:

2011 Poppy commemoration on November 13

In memory of the war veterans of World Wars I and II and the service personnel who sacrifice their lives in protecting our motherland, a ceremony would be held in front of the Cenotaph at the Viharamadhadevi Park on the morning of November 13, 2011.

Poppies, wreaths and donation lists can be obtained from the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association. Tel 011 2 445682.

The Poppies which are sent by the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services Legion, United Kingdom arrived at the Colombo harbour recently.

Rs 1.5 million building for the Veteran’s Home, Bolagala

A complete building with all facilities has been completed at the Veterans Home premises at Bolagala, Katana donated in memory of late Major Peter de Mel. The ceremony of handing over the building by the family of the late Major de Mel to the Ex-Servicemen’s Association will take place shortly.

AGM of Sri Lanka Army Engineers Association

The following officer-bearers have been elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Army Engineers Association held recently for the year 2011/2012.

President: Major General M D S Chandrapala. Vice President: Brigadier A N T Perera. Secretary General: G W Lucas Fernando. Treasurer: Major T M Nandasena. Asst Treasurer: Captain S K Perera. Office Manager: Lt W L Abeysiri.

Enrollment of new members to the Sri Lanka National Guard Ex-Servicemen’s Association

Ex-Servicemen of the Sri Lanka National Guard (pensioners and those who have left active service) are requested to join the above association.

Lieutenant H A J Hettiarachchi – Secretary No. 359/1, Pallawa, Dampitiya, Demataluwa. Tel 0372236855 may be contacted regarding enrollment.

Office complex worth Rs 1.5 million for the Vijayabahu Infantry Regimental Ex-Servicemen’s Association

An office complex worth Rs 1.5 million is being built at Boyagane. The cost is allocated from the Army budget. As arrangements have been made for new enrolments the Secretary may be contacted on 037 3614958.

Sri Lanka Army Medical Corp gives a treat to the Veterans

Bolagala, in the Katana electorate, is well known among the veterans due to the Veterans Elders Home situated there. Some veterans who had dedicated their lives to our motherland are domiciled there. The veterans’ home run by the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association gives shelter to veterans who are helpless due to neither relation nor friend to look after them in the evening of their lives.

Annually, the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps Association in recognition of their (veterans) service, will spend the day, September 3, 2011) from morning till evening with them at Bolagala. This will be spearheaded by Major General Dudley Perera and the office-bearers of the association.

The Medical Association will provide food and drinks for all inmates for the whole day which will end with sing-song and dance.

Inter Ex-Services Associations billiard and snooker competition

A billiard and snooker competition conducted by the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Institute (SLESI) among all the constituent associations of the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association was held at the SLESI billiard tables recently. A keen contest was witnessed among the champions of yester years.

The following players will contest in the finals: Billiards – B R Tillekaratne (Sri Lanka Army Engineer’s Association), Major H Wilson (Sri Lanka Army Engineer’s Association). Snooker – G Jayawardena (Sri Lanka Army Engineers Association), N P Siripala (Armour Veterans Association).

The winners will be presented the trophies, certificates and cash prizes.

Captain Patrick Jayasinghe SLESI and Major General T Paranagama Chairman SLESI will be chief guests.

The finals will be held shortly.

Services facilitated by the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Fund

1. Financial assistance for war veterans granted by the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League monthly. 2. Maintaining a Veterans Elders Home, 3. Distribution of spectacles, 4. Distribution of hearing aids, 5. Financial assistance to Ex-servicemen’s children for university students, 6. Providing houses and lands for Ex-Servicemen who are without houses, 7. Conducting business enterprises with the intention of helping Ex-Servicemen and/or their children, 8. Facilitating in-house and OPD treatment at the Military Hospital, for Ex-Servicemen, 9. Financial grants to Ex-Servicemen for operation and medical facilities.