Abimansala-2 opens on Saturday

The new wellness resort for disabled Army war heroes 'Abimansala-2' at Wilpitawatta, Kamburupitiya would house 50 more dependent war heroes, after its ceremonial opening on November 10.Under the concept of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, as envisaged in the Mahinda Chinthana under Rekawarana Niwasa two maiden sanatorium-type lifetime care centres the Attidiya 'Mihindu Seth Medura' and 'Abimansala' on the banks of the Nuwara Wewa at Anuradhapura were opened. In both these centres, more than 100 dependent war heroes are cared for, nurtured, and comfortably accommodated for lifelong well-being, rehabilitation, rest and recreation.

On the directive of Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa this concept was extended to the South, initiating the Army's second construction at Wilpitawatta, Kamburupitiya by the Commander of the Army Lt.Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya in January.

With the unfailing support of the 'Brave Hearts' fund-raising project of the Seva Vanitha Army Branch, spearheaded by its President Manjulika Jayasuriya the construction of the project received a tremendous boost. The project was originally estimated to cost about Rs.240 million.

The Abimansala-2 complex on 10 acres of land 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.

The project was carried out by the Army Engineers and Engineer Service Regiment with support from Ratnapura Gem Bussinessmen's Association, Diesel and Motor Engineering Company Ltd (Dimo), 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. Each cottage cost Rs. 4 million and a villa Rs. 5.25 million. The swimming pool, vital for therapeutic needs which is nearing completion, is estimated to cost Rs. 10 million.