Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi made the opening remarks during the occasion.
In addition, housing assistance for completing 813 partly built houses of War Heroes was also presented under the iv & v phases of the project. So far 960 War Heroes have received housing assistance under the initial three phases. As a symbolic gesture 25 War Heroes were handed over housing assistance under this project today. Under the scheme 51 War Hero families in Sampathnuwara in the Mullaitivu District have also received housing assistance. Housing assistance to complete partly built houses come in the form of material supply up to a maximum value of Rs. 750,000.00.
Speaking at the occasion State Minister Wijewardene said that the government is committed in ensuring the welfare of the tri forces personnel. Thousands of War Heroes have paid the ultimate sacrifice and many more got disabled during the war. It is pertinent to say that in contrary to some false accusations the government will not compromise on the welfare initiatives for service personnel he further said. He also made mention of the 'Virusara' special welfare card for War Heroes that is to be launched in the near future.
The 'Api Wenuwen Api' housing project is aimed at building houses for War Heroes and their families. The project is carried out under the direct supervision of the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence encompassing most districts in the country. So far the project has provided shelter for over a thousand War Hero families in 20Districts including Kandy (I & II), Kurunegala (I & II), Matara, Hambantota, Monaragala, Badulla, Galle, Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Kalutara, Kegalle, Polonnaruwa, Gampaha, Ratnapura, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Anuradhapura, Puttalam and Colombo.
Construction work on the houses built under the second phase in the Hambantota District was handled by engineering units of the Sri Lanka Air Force and Army. Each house built under the project is complete with spacious living area, bed rooms, bathroom, dining room and kitchen.
Senior Defence Ministry officials, tri forces commanders, senior tri forces and police officers and a large number of beneficiary War Heroes families were present at the ceremony.
