The foundation stone was laid this morning (May 15) by Sri Lanka Army Commander Lt. General Jagath Jayasuriya for the ‘Brave Hearts Wellness Resort’ that would provide lifelong care to totally disabled war heroes.
The project consisting of cottage and villa type of buildings initially is to accommodate 52 fully disabled personnel. The construction handled entirely by the Sri Lanka Army’s Engineering Regiment, will also provide facilities for the relatives of these soldiers to visit them and spend a few days at the Wellness Resort. Food and lodging for the visitors would be provided free, according to the SL Army.
Abhimansala, the first “Wellness Resort” at a cost of approx Rs. 200 million will be built in Anuradhapura Nuwara Wewa lakeside where 52 veterans could be accommodated at a time. Subsequently, a few more centers will be set up at regional level with the funds generated thereafter.
This project launched by the Seva Vanitha Army Branch (SVAB) is to care for some 300 soldiers who have became totally disable due to multiple injuries ranging from spinal cord, brain damage and many other disabilities such as amputations, impaired hearing, vision, speech defects, paralysis etc.
Most of these War Heroes are in their prime of youth with a full life span ahead of them, but with permanent disabilities. The majority of them are wheelchair or bed ridden or have impaired mobility, requiring a variety of assisting devices. Therefore post injury care is vital for their survival. However, most of these veterans face difficulty once they go home, as the infrastructure at home is inadequate to accommodate their needs. Most importantly, specialized nursing care needed by some, cannot be obtained at domestic level. The majority of them are from rural areas that lack even basic needs and some do not have proper shelter, either.
This is a very “special community” in our country that has taken over a magnanimous burden in the name of the country and are now burdened with traumatic experiences.
The centre consists of an administrative centre, visitors’ center with accommodation, accommodation for bed ridden soldiers with severe injuries in wards which are closely supported, hHealth room consisting of Physiotherapy / Hydrotherapy / Counseling rooms / Ayurvedic treatment, laboratory, recreational centre that includes library, theatre, spa, religious centre, music room, games, etc. Kitchen and house keeping unit, staff quarters for doctors, nurses, officers and minor staff.
Funds are expected through generous donations from the public, Sri Lankans living overseas, the corporate sector, and well-wishers. The sponsors are free to donate a lump sum or sponsor a building as per the architect’s plan (eg: a villa for four injured soldiers, physiotherapy unit, etc). Branding will be permitted for such sponsors.
A special Bank Account has been opened at Bank of Ceylon. Remittances can be made to:
Bank of Ceylon, D.R. Wijewardane Mawatha, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka.
Branch : Lake HouseBranch
Account Name: “Brave Hearts”
Account Number: 9846026
Telephone: 011 2 343 953 / 011 2 541 404
Email: sevavanitha@mail.army.lk / sevavanitha@yahoo.com
Website: www.army.lk/sevavanitha
Progress of the project and status of funding will be available ‘online’ through the special website. The website will be linked to “www.army.lk/sevavanitha”. An audit report will be published annually and available online through the website. The Seva Vanitha Branch will appoint a board of advisors from the civil society to provide their specialized knowledge and industry expertise in this connection.
The “Wellness Resort” will be fully owned and managed by the Sri Lanka Army. An Executive Committee appointed by the Commander of Sri Lanka Army will facilitate the project.
For further information, please contact:
Seva Vanitha Army Branch, Sri Lanka Army Headquarters, P.O Box 553, Baladaksha Mawatha, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka.
Tel: 0112343953 / 0112541404 Fax 0112343953
E-mail: sevavanitha@mail.army.lk /sevavanitha@yahoo.com
Website: www.army.lk/sevavanitha
- (Part contents courtesy Sri Lanka Army)
