More welfare for war heroes - Minister Rambukwella

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

The Government, through the Ministry of Defence, is in the process of expanding the welfare measures benefiting the war heroes while commemorating the first year anniversary of the victory.

“We are grateful to the members of the Security Forces for their unstinted efforts in sacrificing their lives to achieve this mission which some people, locally and internationally, categorized as impossible,” Media Minister and Defence Spokesman Keheliya Ramubkwella said addressing a press conference held last week at the Media Centre for National Security.

“We will not only salute our war heroes but promise to continue and expand all the welfare work that we commenced during the height of the war and we ensure that the soldier is not forgotten at all,” said Rambukwella.

The Ministry of Defence, Law and Order has already taken steps to expand the Api Wenuwen Api project by supporting the constructon of 700 houses for security personnel of the tri-force and police. The project now focuses on war heroes who own a land but are lacking finances to build a house. The Api Wenuwen Api project will support the war heroes financially.

The first phase is launched in Kandy and Kurunegala districts, with plans to complete the project by end of June. All three forces will provide the labour force in building these houses. The new phase of the project, continued under the direct guidance of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, plans to expand into other districts as well.