Over Rs 80m spent on War Heroes

The Defence Ministry Seva Vanitha Unit has so far spent over Rs 80 million on behalf of war heroes who sacrificed their lives or were rendered disabled.

Seva Vanitha Unit funds were purely self-generated and not in anyway dependent on the government.

Ayoma Rajapaksa was behind the concept of the Seva Vanitha Unit, acting under the direction and guidance of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

The 2006 war heroes welfare project is started in addition to the other Ranaviru welfare projects already in operation. It is drawing funds from local programmes such as musical shows, flora and handicraft exhibitions and donations from Sri Lankans resident abroad. This is the only Seva Vanitha Unit to date which raised such a large amount of funds on behalf of the war heroes.

The dependents of the war heroes are recipients of housing, medical facilities among other benefits with their children being beneficiaries of scholarships. Over Rs 30 million has been spent on housing and Rs 10.5 million on children's scholarships. Bank accounts have also been opened for sums between Rs 10,000 and Rs 50,000 for each child for their education based on their age.

Seva Vanitha Unit President Ayoma Rajapaksa expects to continue this programme unitil all welfare needs of the war heroes are met.