War hero housing project inaugurated

The seventh phase of the district-wise War Hero Housing project initiated by the Defence Ministry under the Api Wenuwen Api Fund was inaugurated in Kalutara on Saturday under the aegis of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Keys for 29 new houses were handed over to next of kin of fallen War Heroes and disabled War Heroes.

President Rajapaksa presented the first set of keys of the new house at No. 151, Gamagoda Rd, Rajawatte, Kalutara South, to the wife of the fallen War Hero, Private K. G. R Sandaruwan of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) to herald the onset of the day's proceedings. Other 28 new houses had their own house-warming ceremonies after keys were accepted.

The novel project, aimed at building 700 houses for affected War Heroes or their next of kin, mostly in their own plots of land, is a concept of Defence and Urban Development Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, and has launched six phases in districts, such as Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Hambantota, Moneragala, Badulla, Ampara, Galle, Batticaloa and Trincomalee.

The ceremony saw 28 new homes in Kalutara and one house in Galle district being inaugurated as a special tribute to the memory of the fallen ones and commitment of other disabled War Heroes.

The main ceremony at Kalutara commenced after President Rajapaksa unveiled a plaque at late Private Sandaruwan's new house at Rajawatte as Maha Sangha invoked blessings. A stock of furniture, household items and other gifts were also presented to the family of the fallen War Hero by the President.

Twenty five Army War Heroes or their next of kin received the keys of the houses while four other houses were shared among War Heroes of other sister services.

About 200 schoolchildren from the district including some disabled students on wheel chairs were also awarded special gifts by the President.

The Army recipients including the disabled belonged to Light Infantry, Engineers, Gemunu Watch, Gajaba Regiment, Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Special Forces, Military Intelligence Corps, Engineer Service Regiment, Electrical Mechanical Engineers,General Services Corps, President's Guard and Sri Lanka National Guards.

President's Secretary Lalith Weerathunga, Defence and Urban Development Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Western Province Governor Alawi Maulana Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Chief Ministers, Secretaries, District Secretaries, Chief of Defence Staff, Tri Service Commanders, Inspector General of the Police, President, MoD Seva Vanitha Unit Ioma Rajapaksa Spouses of Tri Service Commanders and Rana Viru Seva Authority Chairperson participated.