Commander Responds to Principal's Request of His Alma Mater & Erects New Home with ASVU

Not forgetful of his Matale native roots in the picturesque terrestrial landform in the hill country, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, Commander of the Army, together with Mrs Janaki Liyanage, President, Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU) were in Matale on Wednesday (19 July) morning to vest a deserving family with an Army-constructed new house.

The ASVU, after a formal request extended to the Army Chief by the Principal at the former's alma mater, Vijaya College, Matale, Mr Rajitha Theekshana for construction of a new house to a helpless family, responded positively to the need and undertook the responsibility of constructing this new home. Mrs Kanchana Ilangasinghe, an Australia-based philanthropist at ASVU's request, volunteered to spend Rs. 12.5 lakhs as the cost of the house and for furniture to the value of Rs. 50,000/=.

The beneficiary, Mr D.A Sarath Kumara who is residing at a home made of wattle and daub in Nawa Janapadaya, Wariyapola, Katudeniya was undergoing numerous hardships with two daughters and two sons, all four being students learning at Vijaya College, Matale was doing casual jobs as the sole breadwinner of the family on a daily basis. On being informed of their desperate living condition in the hut-type home and their desperate economic plight, the Vijaya College Principal turned to the Commander of the Army in search of necessary assistance for those students of his old seat of learning.

Accordingly, 8 Gajaba Regiment (GR) troops of the 532 Infantry Brigade under the supervision of the Commanding Officer, 8 GR completed the construction work within several weeks with financial cost offered by the donor through the ASVU and Brigadier P.A.M Peiris RSP USP psc, Director Sports.

Wednesday's ceremony saw Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, the Chief Guest for the house-warming ceremony with the ASVU President and the donor's representative, Mrs Chithra Illangasinghe inaugurating the new house at the auspicious minute in accordance with traditions amid religious rites and rituals.

As members of the Maha Sangha began chanting 'Seth Pirith', the Army Chief unveiled a plaque and delivered the keys of the new home to the recipient family. Mrs Janaki Liyanage and the donor's representative presented the family with pieces of furniture and a set of home appliances at the same occasion.

Major General M.G.W.W.W.M.C.B Wickramasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc, Director General General Staff and Major General W.W.H.R.R.V.M.N.D.K.B Niyangoda RWP RSP USP ndu psc, Commander, Security Force Headquarters - Central welcomed Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage to the location on arrival. Senior Officers, Mrs Chithra Illangasinghe, representing the donor, family members, relatives and troops who contributed to the construction participated in the warming ceremony.