Dependent War Heroes will be given pride of place - Army Commander

Ridma Dissanayake

Army Commander Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya and senior officers participating in the annual flag blessing ceremony at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Anuradhapura on Monday ensured that dependent War Heroes residing at the ‘Abimansala’ wellness resort will not be forgotten as the Army’s celebrates its 63 rd anniversary on October 10. He said the War Heroes will be given pride of place in all spheres of activity.

The Commander paid a visit to look in to the wellbeing of Private E.R.R.I Indika (6 Gajaba Regiment), a newcomer to the wellness resort who could not enjoy the hospitality of the sanatorium earlier, but was moved for residence there soon after his whereabouts were made known.

This dependent War Hero after serious injuries to his spine during the final phase of the Humanitarian Operations became paralyzed and was confined at home to live with his mother and brother. Unaware of welfare roles being pursued by the Army in co-operation with the Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB), this dependent War Hero has, through the help of Facebook, tried to find an electric wheelchair for himself through some contacts.

However, on hearing of Private Indika’s plight, the Defence Ministry, the Army Commander and the SVAB through Facebook made inquiries into his needs after tracing his home address in Narammala.

He was promptly provided with a wheelchair and brought to the Anuradhapura ‘Abimansala’ for rest and recreation since his Narammala home doesn’t have adequate therapeutic facilities.

While his stay is made comfortable at Anuradhapura, his family is to get a new house on the initiatives of the Seva Vanitha Army Branch.

The Army Chief had lunch with the inmates and inquired into their well-being and problems during his visit to the Abimansala complex.

He presented three more new wheelchairs, donated by retired engineer H.N.B Herath as a mark of gratitude to the valiant War Heroes.

Earlier, the symbolic flag blessing ceremony of the Sri Lanka Army began with the Army cultural troops’ rhythmic beats of traditional and auspicious drummers (Hewisi,Magul Bera), heralded the beginning of the day’s offering as officers and other ranks, attired in ceremonial military dress with their regimental and field formation flags aloft, performed a solemn march around the sacred tree thrice.

The religious ceremony was led by Atamastanadhipathi and Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya Incumbent Pallegama Sirinivasabhidhana Nayaka Thero along with several chief monks, symbolically invoked blessings on the Army flag, all regimental and formation flags after they were laid on a bed of jasmine and lotus flowers at the Udamaluwa.