The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of our war hero community. For nearly three decades of brutal war, our tri-forces, Police and Civil Security Department, with sacrifice and discipline, ended it. We especially remember the wounded, disabled, fallen and their closest families—widows, parents, spouses and children.

¶ 02 This morning, the President visited Ranaviru Sevana, met with 68 resident war heroes, spoke with and blessed them. I too visited Mihindu Seth Medura and met resident veterans. District-level warrior appreciation events are being held in every district. We are not only commemorating them; the Government is acting for their welfare. Over the last year we improved infrastructure in military hospitals and upgraded Army, Air Force, Navy and Police medical facilities across the island to ensure easy access to medicines and care.

¶ 03 Under a special programme, we are preparing to deploy a 1,000-strong peacekeeping contingent under the UN to Haiti, contributing to global peace.

¶ 04 This Government is committed to ensuring that war never returns. We will prevent division among communities, uphold national harmony beyond ethnicity, religion or caste, prioritizing Sri Lankan identity.

¶ 05 Many retired veterans and police officers work in the private security sector. We will establish a dedicated regulatory authority this year to improve recognition and standards, domestically and internationally. For those wounded by terrorism and medically boarded out, we are moving a Cabinet-approved amendment to the Widows’ and Orphans’ Pension scheme to extend benefits to spouses, children and immediate next of kin after retirement, including revising provisions to allow eligible dependants where a legally ended marriage is followed by a remarriage before 55.

¶ 06 Recognizing veterans’ professional skills, we are coordinating with the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development to integrate them into the national economy. For those retiring from the Sri Lanka Navy in particular, we are working with the Ports and Civil Aviation Ministries to expand overseas maritime employment and provide internationally recognized certifications.

¶ 07 As Deputy Minister, I meet veteran groups in every district twice a week to identify and resolve issues, with the President’s close attention. Thank you for this opportunity.