Projects show nation's gratitude to War Heroes

Ridma Dissanayake

The government has taken measures to pay the nation's gratitude to War Heroes in the aftermath of the war under the Mahinda Chinthana future vision.

The Defence Ministry has commenced several projects, such as Mihindu Seth Madura and Abimansala, under the concept of "Homes for War Heroes" , as envisaged in the Mahinda Chinthana policy document.

'Mihindu Seth Medura' in Attidiya and Abimansala-1 in Anuradhapura are now fully functional with a number of dependent War Heroes.

The second phase of the Abimansala, the wellness resort for disabled War Heroes in Wilpiwatta, Kamburupitiya, Matara has also been completed and will be opened on November 10.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be the Chief Guest. "Abimansala-02' is equipped with seven villas, five cottages, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy facilities, medical ward, swimming pool, gymnasium, medical laboratory, dining hall, kitchen, indigenous medicine unit and residential quarters for staff who are not on hand in the residential areas of those dependent ones, is to be manned round the clock by a medical team during the rest of their lives.

Among the War Heroes in the Southern Province, 28 are wheelchair bound and 20 totally handicapped are to be accommodated in the new Abimansala - 2.

They will undergo a medical screening and categorization would be conducted by the Army Medical Advisor and medical authorities to ensure prioritized care for the most deserving.

This project commenced in January according to a concept of Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and guidance of Army Commander Lt.Gen Jagath Jayasuriya. With the unfailing support of the 'Brave Hearts' fund-raising project of the Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB), spearheaded by SVAB Chairperson Manjulika Jayasuriya, construction of the project, had so far received a boost. The project was originally estimated to cost about Rs. 240 million.

Measures taken by the Army in this connection, prompted Ratnapura Gem Businessmen's Association and Diesel and Motor Engineering Company Ltd (Dimo), to sponsor construction of all five cottages while MAS Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lanka Insurance, Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment Seva Vanitha Unit, Sri Lanka Army Service Corps Seva Vanitha Unit, Singer (Pvt) Ltd, Wickremaratne's (Pvt) Ltd and Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna, separately, came forward to foot the construction cost of all seven Villas in the Abimansala - 2 complex. Each Cottage cost Rs.4 million and a Villa Rs.5.25 million on completion.

The swimming pool, which was vital for therapeutic needs, nearing completion, is also estimated to cost Rs 10 million.