Granting of "Virusara Privilege Card" held in Hambantota

The second-phase of granting “Virusara Privilege Card” to war heroes and their family members, came about 30th April 2016 under the patronage of the State Minister of Defence Hon. Ruwan Wijewardane at the Magampura International Convention Centre. The ceremony saw a total of 1,002 beneficiaries including 642 from Army, 194 from Navy, 91 from Air Force, 67 from Police and 08 from Civil Security Department, receiving the “Virusara Privilege Cards”.

Addressing the gathering the State Minister of Defence Hon Ruwan Wijewardana said that no action would be taken against the territorial in to grity and the sovereignntry of the Country . He further Stated that media was extensively used by so called groups and people to promate separatisum while misguiding the general public. The minister further went on to say that His Excellency the President Maithreepala Sirisena was not ready to compromise the defence of the state any means but the country would be taken to the  path of development by resolving issuen among difference ethnic groups through reconciliation.

Secretary to the State Ministry of Defence, Mr. APG Kithsiri, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Chief of Staff of the Army, Major General Milinda Peiris, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Ranil Gurusinghe, Chairperson of the Ranaviru Seva Authority, Mrs. Anoma Fonseka, Director General Services of the Navy, Rear Admiral Eric Jayakody, Commander Southern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Nimal Sarathsena, Senior DIG Matara and Hambantota Districts, Mr. Sumith Edirisinghe, senior officer from Civil Security Department, Colonel WM Karunapala, officers from the tri-forces, a large number of beneficiaries and their family members also attended this event. The event was made very colourful with the dancing performance of Navy Cultural Troupe.