A ceremony was held at the Ministry under the patronage of State Minister of Defence Hon. Ruwan Wijewardene and Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi to present a group of War Hero families and disable War Heroes with interest free housing loans, yesterday (21st June 2017).The ceremony was organized by the Seva Vanitha Unit (SVU) of the Ministry. Chairperson of the MOD Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs. Wasantha Gunawardena made the welcome address of the ceremony.
Interest free loans to the value of Rs. 15 million were distributed among 50 (19 Army, 14 Navy, 12 Air Force and 05 Civil Defence Department) War Hero families and disable War Heroes during the ceremony held at the Ministry auditorium this morning. The loan scheme is being carried out by the Seva Vanitha Unit (SVU) of the Ministry. This housing assistance loan was provided under the 22 phase of the project which assists War Heroes families and disable war Heroes to find solutions to their housing requirements. Under the 21st phase 48 beneficiaries received this facility in 2015.
The housing assistance interest free loan project was mooted with Rs. 50 million grant provided by former President Madam Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga during her tenure. The first phase saw interest free loans being presented to 100 beneficiaries including 40 Army, 20 Navy, 15 Air Force and 25 Police beneficiaries. A total of Rs.15 million was provided under the first phase with each beneficiary receiving Rs. 150,000.00 as interest free loan. With the Police coming under a different ministry the Civil Defence Department was included for the loan scheme.
Tri Forces commanders, Chairperson of the MOD Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs. Wasantha Gunawardena, Chairperson of the Ranaviru Seva Authority Mrs. Anoma Fonseka, heads of Seva Vanitha Units of the tri forces and Civil Defence Department, senior Ministry officials and MOD SVU officials were also present at the occasion.
