Hours before relinquishment of his office as Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva this afternoon (30) in another significant welfare project that coincides with the ‘Way Forward Strategy 2020 – 2025’ of the Army introduced a new SLT Mobitel package and a set of scholarships to university entrants of Army families after inviting a representative group of recipients to the Army Commander’s office.
The project, launched as an initiative of Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army came into effect in close collaboration with the SLT Mobitel, State Mortgage & Investment Bank (SMIB) and Directorate of Welfare at the Army HQ.
At the inauguration of the project, General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army symbolically presented the first package to the spouse of Captain U.G.A.S Samaranayaka of Gamunu Watch and the spouse of Sergeant P.M.S Bandara who laid their lives for defence of the country during the peak of LTTE terrorism. Both received the highest gallantry medal, Parama Weera Vibhushana (PWV).
Next, as the second segment, SLT Mobitel, State Mortgage & Investment Bank and Sri Lanka Army Directorate of Welfare jointly granted financial catalysts of scholarships for 13 children of Army personnel who are eligible to enter university for higher studies after the G.C.E Advanced Level Examination 2021.
Accordingly, each child would receive Rs. 120,000/= worth of financial grants for a period of one year under the project.
General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army symbolically handed over a cash cheque to the daughter of Major General Lal Wijethunga, Overall Security Coordinator and the son of Staff Sergeant S.M.P.G.D.S Bandara of Mechanized Infantry Regiment at the Commander’s office.
Accordingly, those 13 students will be provided “Viru Abhimana Mobitel Telecommunication Package” as well as an Android mobile phone by SLT Mobitel. In addition, each child received a special gift parcel, sponsored by the SMIB at the same occasion.
Brigadier Rohan Rajapaksha, Director, Directorate of Welfare, Mr Sujith Hettiarachchi, Director General Finance of SMIB, Mr Nuwan Thilakawardane, Head of Marketing, SMIB, Mr Chandika Witharana, Chief Executive Officer, SLT Mobitel and Shashika Senarath, Chief Marketing & Development Officer, SLT Mobitel participated in the events.