‘Uttama Pooja tribute’ medals for Rana Viru families

Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was the chief guest at the ‘Uttama Pooja’ felicitation ceremony at the Sri Lanka Air Force base in Diyatalawa on June 25.

P. Amarawathi, mother of Sri Lanka Army sergeant T. Balakumar who was killed in the attack on the Mullativu Army base by LTTE terrorists on July 17, 1996 receives the medal from Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. Courtesy www.defence.lk

The ‘Uttama Pooja’ is the brainchild of the Defence Secretary and has been initiated to pay tribute to the families of the brave men and women of the Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in safe guarding of the motherland.

This year’s ceremony felicitated the parents, wives, children or next of kin of the 1,505 war heroes from the Badulla district in the Uva Province. Accordingly, ‘Ranaviru’ families of 1,368 Army, 48 Navy, 11 Air Force and 78 Police personnel received the ‘Uttama Pooja’ medals.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said the sacrifices made by the valiant soldiers in the three decade long war against terrorism were boundless and the commitment and support of their parents, wives, children and the next of kin were tremendous.

He further added the government is giving due consideration to the issues of education and welfare of the children and families of the fallen heroes and the Seva Vanitha Units of the Tri Forces are very much involved in these projects. Especially through the ‘Ranaviru’ housing project, hundreds of houses have already been distributed among the ‘Ranaviru’ families.

“Wear this medal which is a symbol of gratitude and recognition with pride and honour for the great sacrifice made in the name of safeguarding the countries territorial integrity and sovereignty,” the Defence Secretary said.

A large number of guests including the President of the Ranaviru Seva Authority Padma Wettewa, Defence Ministry Additional Secretary S. Hettiarachchi, Defence Ministry Military Liaison Officer Maj. Gen. (Retd) Palitha Fernando, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Harsha Abewickrama and senior military officials were present at the occasion. The Defence Ministry and the Ranaviru Seva Authority organized the felicitation ceremony. Courtesy www.defence.lk