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| Sunday, 10 April 2005 |
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Army commander admires female soldiers by Ananda Kannangara Army Commander Shantha Kottegoda recently admired the invaluable service, rendered by the Sri Lanka Women Corps Association for the betterment of female soldiers who once stood for the protection of the territorial integrity of their motherland. He made these observations at the launching of the book titled "Private Devi V", written by a former cadet officer in the Sri Lanka Army Major Ramani Kangaraarachchi. The Army Commander also remarked that the country was grateful to the female soldiers. Their service should be highlighted even at important events such as the International Women's Day. Commander Kottegoda also paid a glowing tribute to 18 female soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the battlefield during the past two decades. It was announced that Lance Corporal. M. Rupawathi was the first Lankan woman soldier sacrificed her life at Neerweli in August, 1996. While Lance Corporal M. Damayanthi was the last woman soldier died in Jaffna in 2000. Major Kangaraarachchi said that the objective of writing such a book was to narrate the life of a female soldier who rendered various sacrifices from the day she assumed duties in the Army until she got married. Major Kangaraarachchi was the founder President of the Sri Lanka Army Womens Corps Association (SLAWCA), formed in 1979. She retired in 1995 as the Second in Command of her regiment. She also received training at Womens Royal Army Corps College in the UK as a Cadet Officer. Lt. Col. Janet Lawson of the British Army and several former Lankan Army Commanders including Lt. Gen. Dennis Perera, Maj. Gen. Tilak Paranagama, President, Sri Lanka Army Ex-Service Womens Corps Association, Capt. Victoria Lakshmi and Major Kangaraarachchi were awarded mementos for their invaluable services in the Sri Lanka Army. It was also announced that a certain percentage of the proceeds received
from the book "Private Devi V" will be utilised for the welfare activities
of the tsunami affected families (of women army soldiers) and also for
granting scholarships for the children of the Association members. |
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