Valiant GR War Heroes, Now Disabled & Cared for Life Get New Therapeutic Swimming Pool in Senapura 

Dozens of Gajaba Regiment (GR) War Heroes who suffered permanent injuries and turned differently able, yet receiving rehabilitation and recuperation under the care of the Headquarter Battalion (HQBN) camp of the Gajaba Regiment in Senapura on Saturday (23) were the beneficiaries of a state-of-the-art new therapeutic Swimming Pool that remained a long-felt medical requirement for hydrotherapy treatment.

The Ladies Chapter of the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE), chaired by Mrs Shehani Piyasena footed the entire phenomenal cost of this construction at the request of Mrs Sujeewa Nelson, Chairperson, GR Seva Vanitha Unit at the invitation of Major General Shavendra Silva, Colonel of the Regiment, Gajaba Regiment and Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army (COS) and Colonel Jananka Vithanachchi, the Commanding Officer of the HQBN.

Hon. Sarath Ekanayake, the Governor of North Central  Province as the Chief Guest representing, HE the President and Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army were greeted to a warm welcome by the Colonel of the Regiment, GR and the HQBN Commanding Officer on their arrival for the inaugural ceremony of this much-needed medical therapy. A few minutes later, both the Governor and the visiting Commander of the Army, together with Senior Officers visited the wards where GR War Heroes are undergoing rehabilitation after they turned permanently handicapped. The day's protagonists gave away gift parcels to the inmates and shared a couple views with some of them while inquiring into their well-being.

The climax of the day's event then began to draw the attention as the Governor,  Commander of the Army, Colonel of the Regiment, GR, Mrs Shehani Piyasena, Chairperson, COYLE, Mrs Sujeewa Nelson, Chairperson,  Gajaba Regiment  Seva Vanitha Unit, together with several Senior Officers walked up to the new swimming pool complex to unveil a plaque and cut a ribbon before the new facility was declared vested in those GR War Heroes who sacrificed their legs and limbs to protect the territorial integrity and unitary status of this island-nation. This new swimming pool, formally handed to GR by COYLE representative, is 25 meter long and equipped with 8 swimming lanes and the opening was symbolized by a display of swimming capabilities of those physically-handicapped War Heroes.

Commander of the Army in appreciation of the COYLE's great thoughtfulness and generosity awarded a memento to Mrs Shehani Piyasena of the COYLE at the same occasion and spoke high of their silent gesture of gratitude as the COYLE fights shy even to disclose the exact cost of the project. 

Regimental Senior Council Members, Regimental Centre Commandant, Brigadier Harendra Peiris, Deputy Centre Commandant, several other senior officers, Other Ranks, school children and villagers of the area also were present at the occasion. Towards the end of the ceremony, a few selected school principals were given packs containing some valuable sports items for use in their schools.

Gajaba Regiment, as one of the premier infantry outfits of the Sri Lanka Army, has shown the epitome of valour, courage and sacrifices for the sake of the motherland during its 35 years long, yet proud and eventful history. This valiant Regiment suffered the highest number of casualties and supreme sacrifices during the three-decade long brutal terrorism.  Gajaba War Heroes who turned physically-handicapped are in this way taken care by the Headquarter Battalion of the Gajaba Regiment which was established on 27 May 1994.