Ministry of Defence  – Media Centre

• Priority to the war heroes and their families in the ‘Urumaya’ land deed providing program.
• Special subsidized loan scheme for serving and retired war heroes and proposal to reduce increased interest rates on previous loans to current commercial rates.
• 25% job quota for retired veterans and members of war hero families in the foreign employment program.

Another programme organized by the Sri Lanka Army to look into the welfare and administrative affairs of retired/ medically retired military personnel and family members of war heroes who sacrificed their lives in the war was held yesterday  (Jun 08) at the Sri Lanka Army Infantry Training Centre in Minneriya. State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon graced the event as the Chief Guest.

State Minister Tennakoon was received by the Commander of the Security Forces (East) Major General Shewanth Kulathunga on his arrival at the venue this morning.

Army Headquarters had established help desks under its Directorates to facilitate retired service personnel and war hero families to forward their grievances and seek redress. Retired service personnel and war hero families, especially those residing in Polonnaruwa district had arrived with the intention to find solutions for their issues.

This program is being held in all regions of the island by the Sri Lanka Army Veterans Services and Rehabilitation Directorate. Its Director Brigadier Shiron Ekanayake delivered the welcome speech at the event.

Addressing the gathering, State Minister Tennakoon praised the immense sacrifices made by the parents and family members of the war heroes during the war, as well as the supreme service of our brave war heroes who fought to uphold the territorial integrity of the motherland. He also praised the services of the Tri-Forces both during and off duty while highlighting their tremendous services during the recent emergency situations caused by adverse weather condition.

The State Minister informed of the program to be implemented jointly by the Ministry of Defence, Armed Forces, Ranaviru Sewa Authority and other state agencies to prioritise services to family members of war heroes when obtaining health, public administration, banking and other services as well give priority to war heroes and their family members in the ‘Urumaya’ freehold land deed presenting program. Further, it is expected to issue ownership permits for currently occupied lands subject to a special nominal tax of only Rs. 100.00.

He also told about the recent discussions with the State Minister of Finance, Chairman of the Bank of Ceylon and other government and private sector banks, on the proposed to facilitate a special subsidized loan scheme for serving and retired war heroes and also to reduce the increased interest rates on earlier loans to prevailing lower interest rates. The Bank of Ceylon has already given consent to the proposal, State Minister revealed.

He also said that a 25% job quota has been allocated for retired veterans and members of war hero families from foreign employment and accordingly, the first group will leave for Israel at the end of this month.

Following the Minister’s address, opportunity was given for the participants to present their grievances and necessary instructions were given to the Army officials to take necessary action to resolve issues. Responding to a proposal, State Minister stated that he hopes to negotiate with the relevant authorities to provide land for retired veterans who wish to start business ventures in the future.

Subsequently the State Minister distributed dry ration packs among war hero families present there.

Army Adjutant General Major General Nalinda Niyangoda, District Secretary of Polonnaruwa E.M.D.S Ekanayake, Senior Army Officials, regional Divisional Secretaries and state officials were present at the occasion.