On initiative of Defence Secretary:

Pensions, privileges and entitlements for differently-abled soldiers

A total of 1,624 disabled war heroes who retired or obtained discharge from the Army, due to injuries in terrorist attacks, will be given all entitled privileges by the end of December by the Commander of the Army, on a Presidential directive, following initiatives, taken by the Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Likewise, all arrears in salary and other perks from March 1, 2014 to-date, will also be paid immediately to those War Heroes following the President's directive. In addition, any other entitlements that should be granted since the time of their departure from the Army are also being computed now, as directed by Defence Secretary and the Commander of the Army.

A total of 5,918 disabled war heroes who fell victim to terrorist attacks, have already retired from the Army with all the privileges. They have been paid the pension plus the monthly salary and all other allowances and privileges. Similarly, a total of 10,493 such disabled War Heroes enjoying above privileges, still continue to serve the Army, and they will also be given the same privileges upon retirement or wilful discharge from the Army.

Thanks to the initiatives of the President and the Secretary Defence, all the spouses of married disabled War Heroes who have left the Army or retired as well as the parents of unmarried War Heroes, now have access to most modern medical facilities, provided by the recently-opened Military Hospital at Narahenpita which is well-equipped with high technology.

Moreover, the 'Api Wenuwen Api' project of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, has prioritized the requests of the families of fallen, missing and disabled war heroes in the award of new houses or completion of partly-built homes, belonging to war heroes.