05th October 2022 14:22:27 Hours
The Troops of the 14 and 61 Infantry Divisions of the Security Forces (West) conducted several programmes in line with International Children's Day (01 October) in their respective areas on the instructions of Major General D M K D B Pussella RWP RSP, the Commander Security Forces (West).
Accordingly, with the close supervision of the General Officer Commanding 14 Infantry Division and under the patronage of Commander 141 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier S P G Gamage RWP RSP USP, Army personnel of 6 Field Regiment Sri Lanka Artillery organized the distribution of 70 packs of school accessories worth of Rs 343,000.00 among the children who are studying in Nikahatikanda Junior College – Veyangoda at school premises on 01 October 2022. The coordination of this programme was done by the Civil Affairs Officer of 141 Infantry Brigade and the Commanding Officer of 6 Field Regiment Sri Lanka Artillery. In addition, Army personnel also arranged snack packets and lunch for school children and staff at the location. The Senior Officers, Officers, Other Ranks, Divisional Secretariat – Athtanagalla, Assistant Superintendent of Police – Athtanagalla, several government officials and the Principal of the school participated in the event.
Similarly, Army personnel of sector (15) conducted a cleaning and renovation programme at Peter Weerasekera Children’s Home – Dambuwa, Buthpitiya on 01 October 2022. Thereby, troops were involved in painting the Buddha temple, cleaning the surroundings and renovating the buildings of the Children’s Home. Further, Army personnel arranged the distribution of toy packs among the children, refreshments and lunch at the same location in order to improve the mental wellbeing of the children. All the arrangements for this noble task were coordinated with the direction of the Commander 141 Infantry Brigade.
The troops of 8 Battalion Sri Lanka Light Infantry organized an event to celebrate Children's Day at Sangaraja College in Keragala under the guidance of Commander 141 Brigade. During the event, 106 children were gifted school accessories worth of Rs 19,2000.00 and troops arranged refreshments and lunch for the children. This programme was conducted under the patronage of the Civil Affairs Officer of 141 Infantry Brigade and the event was attended by Senior Officers, Officers, Other Ranks, the principal of the school and teachers. To coincide with International Children’s Day-2022, troops of 144 Infantry Brigade also organized a special programme at the Salvation Army-Child Development Center, Rajagiriya premises on 01 October 2022, under the close supervision of Commander 144 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier K M V Kodithuwakku. The programme consisted of the distribution of gifts, a dental surgery clinic and musical entertainment.
At the same time, the 61 Infantry Division also conducted several community programmes parallel to World Children’s Day in their AOR under the supervision of the General Officer Commanding 61 Infantry Division, Major General W R M N Rathnayaka RWP RSP USP ndu. Accordingly, troops of 14 (V) Battalion the Gamunu Watch, launched an event to celebrate Children's Day with the patronage of the General Officer Commanding 61 Infantry Division and his spouse, Mrs Udeni Jayarathna at 'Viru Kekulu' pre-school - Galle on 30 September 2022. The programme consisted of several colourful events which were presented by the pre-school children. In addition, children were gifted packs of books by the chief guest, each worth of Rs. 400.00.
Other than the aforesaid event, in line with continuous sponsorship rendered by Thalagala Sri Siddhartha Foundation (Sri Lanka) and the Tan Ngak Buay & Kee Meng Lang Foundation Limited (Singapore) together with troops of 14 (v) Gemunu Watch has coordinated another humanitarian event of providing 50 packs of dry ration each worth of Rs. 2000.00 among the children of Omantha Central College – Galle on 30 September 2022, parallel to World Children’s Day. In addition, Army personnel organized lunch for the school children at the school premises.
In the meantime, at the Oba Mama Children's Home-Kekanadura, where some 13 children are housed, troops of 3 (v) Battalion Gemunu Watch have organized to distribute gift packets with lunch and entertained them with verity shows. The event was conducted on 30 September 2022 with the guidelines of the Commander 613 Infantry Brigade.
Meanwhile, in conjunction with World Children’s Day, 12 Field Engineer Regiment organized a delicious lunch and distribution of prizes among the 38 school children of Halwalkele Primary School – Meegahatenna on 30 September 2022, with the patronage of Commander 612 Infantry Brigade. This programme was closely supervised by the Commanding Officer of 12 Field Engineer Regiment and his troops. In addition, the same Regiment organized another charity programme at Don Bosko Children’s Home – Beruwala on 01 October 2022. Thereby, Army personnel have arranged an entertaining music event, lunch and prize distribution for 45 children who are residing at the Children’s Home.
Likewise, another community programme was arranged by the troops of 8 battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment under 611 Infantry Brigade to celebrate Children's Day with the participation of 18 kids at St Joseph's Children Home – Kegalle on 1 October 2022. The troops distributed gifts along with a tea party, consisting of some snacks and sweets and also arranged a delicious lunch to mark the end of the programme.
8 Battalion Gemunu Watch also launched a special event in line with World Children’s Day on 1 October 2022 at Getangama Children's Home – Rathnapura, arranging a gift distribution programme, with a colour full events and a lunch for children. The programme was attended by Officers, Other Ranks and staff of the children's home.
All of these programmes were carried out in accordance with the instructions of the Commander Security Forces (West), and the officers and Other Ranks serving under Security Forces (West) gave their maximum contribution to the programmes' success.
