Nation's gratitude to war heroes:

Housing scheme in picturesque setting

by Dhaneshi YATAWARA

Just like any other wife Kanthimala Ranasinghe was hoping so much for a home for their own. Married to Corporal H. M. Wijesinghe, Kanthimala had to take the full responsibility of caring for their five beloved children since her husband was serving in the front line during his 22 years of service to the Sri Lanka Army.

"We always dreamt of raising our family in our own house. But facing it single handedly was a huge challenge to me," Kanthimala said when we met her at the `Ranajayapura', the new housing scheme for Security Forces personnel.

Understanding this grave difficulty families of the Security Forces face, the Government initiated a project to support them to make their dreams of a home a reality. Under the `Mahinda Chintana', President Mahinda Rajapaksa directed officials to initiate the project to build houses for the soldiers who are now engaged in the war against terrorism.

'Ranajayapura'

Brig. L. M. Tennakoon	Capt. Muditha Gamage

The initial project to meet these requirements was `Ranajayapura' housing scheme. Planned to build 1510 modern houses `Ranajayapura' is now equipped with 410 fully completed houses with a complete road structure, electricity and water pipe lines while the rest of the infrastructure is rapidly getting into shape.

Spread across a vast flat land of 180 acres in Kumbukwewa, Ipalogama the `Ranajayapura' - city of war victories - would be a picturesque city when it is completed in the near future.

It's a perfect relaxing environment for anyone after a stressful day. The 'Ranajayapura' is dedicated to the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force men serving for the country.

The initial estimate for a house was 1.4 million rupees. The project construction initiated in May 15, 2007 and later the construction of the entire housing scheme was transferred to the Sri Lanka Navy - expecting rapid progress and quality assurance.

"We were able to bring down the cost per house to 11 million rupees as the Navy took over construction. The beneficiary has to pay only 800,000 rupees and that is also in instalments, repayable in 20 years. The balance is paid through the `Api Wenuwen Api' fund," Project Director, Ministry of Defence Brigadier L. M. Tennakoon told a media team during a recent inspection tour.

For their own brethren

"Our target is to provide the men of our own Security Forces a quality house valued which would be cost effectively," Captain Muditha Gamage of the Sri Lanka Navy said. Captain Gamage directs the entire `Ranajayapura' project operated through the Civil Engineering Department of the Sri Lanka Navy with direct supervision and command of Commander of the SLN Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda. The construction project is conducted at site by Commander Sisira Weerakoon and the staff with utmost dedication and commitment.

A house has a floor area of 800 squarefoot comprising three bedrooms, a living room, modern kitchen and a bathroom giving appropriate attention to the quality and a fine finish.

A unique neighbourhood

A quality house is not the only focus in this project. The housing scheme is equipped with all the facilities of a decent residential area - a healthy neighbourhood to raise a family.

It will have a supermarket of a renowned super market network. The building is already constructed. In Addition a shopping complex of twenty shops including three Army, Navy and Air Force welfare shops is planned. A medical centre with a dispensary is already completed. The doctors' and nurses' quarters are built just behind the medical centre.

A water tank with a capacity of 250,000 gallons was under rapid construction at the time of our visit. The water is pumped from the `Kalawewa' tank through the water purification unit in Kalawewa, Kekirawa providing a continuous water supply even during the drought.

The roads, all illuminated with street bulbs, are wide and with a fine finish and are concrete block paved. "This is bit complex to construct and takes more time but it is easy to maintain. Properly maintaining this entire housing complex is vital concerning the long term durability," Brigadier Tennakoon added. Transport facilities are discussed and finalised with the Regional Transport Board and accordingly bus services will start operating when the people start establishing in the housing complex.

For children

The montessori, capable of caring for about 160 children and the daycare centre was getting their final touches.

The complex consists of six children's playgrounds with the main playground for all ages. One large children's playground will be constructed with the financial donations from a well-wisher.

A complete school capable of educating approximately 860 children from year 1 to 13 was under construction. It will be provided with all the facilities any modern school will be equipped with. Two, Three story building is under construction comprising spacious classrooms, science laboratories, dancing and music rooms, libraries etc. To build the school, the Treasury has released 54 million rupees to the Ministry of Education for the construction of the school, at the request of the Minister of Defence.

"This is only the initial project. We are hoping to set up more villages like this in places such as Kurunegala, Matara, Avissawella to meet the requirements of the Security Forces personnel," Brigadier Tennakoon added. With beautifully constructed houses and gardens, playgrounds and nicely done wide roads and a beautiful environment with tamarind, neem, woodapple, mango, moringa, pomegranate, plants as well as plants like 'karanda', `bulu', halmilla, planted to give a picturesque view, `Ranajayapura' adds beauty to this landscape against the Ritigala mountains.