13th October 2025 07:12:02 Hours
With the aim of improving the living standards of the soldiers serving in the Sri Lanka Army and civil employees, the Sri Lanka Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU) organized a donation programme under the gracious participation of Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, the Commander of the Army, and Mrs. Swendrini Disanayake, the President of the ASVU on 09 October 2025.
Following the directives of the Commander of the Army, financial assistance for housing and medical needs has been increased. Previously, the financial aid for new housing was set at Rs. 600,000.00 (6 lakhs), and for semi-houses, it was Rs. 450,000 (4.5 lakhs). This has now been raised to Rs. 650,000.00 (6.5 lakhs) for new housing assistance and Rs. 500,000.00 (5 lakhs) for semi-houses. For civilian employees in the Army, the financial aid for new houses was previously Rs. 350,000.00 (3.5 lakhs), which is now increased to Rs. 600,000.00 (6 lakhs), and the semi-house assistance has been raised from Rs. 300,000.00 (3 lakhs) to Rs. 450,000.00 (4.5 lakhs).
Following this programme’s initiation, new housing aid was provided to two soldiers, each receiving Rs. 650,000.00 (6.5 lakhs) for their new houses. Additionally, a civilian employee from the Centre for Defence Research and Development (CDRD) received new housing assistance of Rs. 600,000.00 (6 lakhs).
Furthermore, 13 soldiers who had partially completed their houses received semi-house aid of Rs. 500,000.00 (5 lakhs) each, and 9 civil employees received semi-house aid of Rs. 450,000.00 (4.5 lakhs) each.
Additionally, a medical assistance grant of Rs. 100,000.00 (1 lakh) was provided for the treatment of the daughter of Lance Corporal J Wimalasiri of 17th Battalion of Sri Lanka Light Infantry. Similarly, medical assistance of Rs. 100,000.00 (1 lakh) was given to Mr. J.I. Prashantha, a civilian employee suffering from kidney failure.
Moreover, Rs. 96,000.00 (Rs. 8,000 per month) for one year was provided for purchasing milk powder for the newborn children of a soldier from the 6th Battalion the Sri Lanka National Guard.
In addition, under the previous welfare programmes, two soldiers and one civil employee who received new housing assistance were granted additional housing assistance. Accordingly, Rs. 200,000.00 (2 lakhs) was provided for two new housing units, and Rs. 150,000 (1.5 lakhs) was given for one more new house. Three soldiers also received additional semi-house assistance of Rs. 150,000.00 (1.5 lakhs) each, while three civil employees received Rs. 100,000.00 (1 lakh) each for semi-house assistance.
In total, a sum of Rs. 12,746,000.00 (12.7 million) was spent to improve the welfare of Army personnel and civilian employees through housing and medical assistance.
At the conclusion of the programme, the Army Chief and the Chairperson of the ASVU together with all attendees joined for a tea party, enjoying a friendly discussion.
