Standing Behind Those Who Stand for Sri Lanka

A special discussion chaired by Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) at the Presidential Secretariat recently examined a proposed integration of the National Defence Fund and the ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ Fund with the Ranaviru Seva Fund and other welfare programmes for Tri-Services and other service personnel.

The discussion focused on appointing an expert committee to study whether the funds could be brought together, while examining the financial, legal and administrative implications of such a move. The proposed integration is expected to streamline assistance and expand the number of members of the armed forces and their families eligible for welfare benefits.

The possibility of providing financial assistance to members of the armed forces to settle loans obtained from financial institutions was also discussed. Preliminary consideration was given to possible mechanisms and an institutional framework through which such assistance could be provided.

The meeting brought together senior officials representing the Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Mr Kapila Janaka Bandara, the Ranaviru Seva Authority, the Attorney General’s Department, the Department of National Budget, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Defence.