West Midlands Api wenuwen Api Committee Show Gratitude to
Defence Advisor Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe.
The Paragon
Hotel, Birmingham , was the venue for an appreciation lunch on 1
March 2009, organized by Mr Shantha Perera and hosted by Mr
Lucian Wijesinghe. The host warmly welcomed the guests, thanking
Brig. Samarasinghe for his dedication to the Sri Lankan security
forces and Sri Lankan diaspora in the UK during his tenure here.
The host gave
special mention to the great success of the Api wenuwen Api UK
programme initiated by Brig. Samarasinghe, that shattered all
previous fund raising records of any similar programme of its
kind outside Sri Lanka.
Following a
sumptuous lunch, Brig. Samarasinghe thanked the guests for their
support and updated them on the current situation in Sri Lanka ,
requesting all Sri Lankans to be united as one nation and
encouraging them to work closely with the High Commission on
future campaigns. Mr Perera presented a token of appreciation
for Brig. Samarasinghes dedicated service as the defence
advisor in the UK . The Sunday lunch was well attended by guests
from London , Birmingham and Manchester .
Report and
Photographs by Dusmantha Wijekoon
( Date:
Tuesday, 10th March 2009)
Sri Lankan expats in Toronto make contribution to 'Api Wenuven
Api' Fund
Patriotic Sri
Lankan expatriates in Toronto contributed a sum of C$ 4,100 to
the Api Wenuven Api fund of the Ministry of Defence for the
welfare of war heroes recently. The Consulate General in
Toronto, Mr. Bandula Jayasekara along with the patriotic Sri
Lankans in Toronto initiated the programme with the collected
sum credited to the Api Wenuven Api fund to buy foot spray/foot
powder for the valiant armed forces who are now forcing into the
last LTTE foothold in Mullaittivu.
Mr. Bandula
Jayasekara, speaking to defence.lk said that the Sri Lankan
expacts are now rallying in numbers to assist the security
forces as they battle to end the scourge of terrorism in Sri
Lanka. "The expatriates have pledged to support the Api Wenuven
Api fund of the Ministry of Defence and other projects initiated
by the Ministry for the welfare of the security forces", he
further said. Muslims, Tamils, Sinhalese, Burghers and Malays
living in Toronto while expressing solidarity with the efforts
made to eradicate terrorism from Sri Lanka also pledged to
collect over C$ 10,000 for the Api Wenuven Api fund.
Old Anandian's 97 Group makes Donation for war heroes
Ananda college Old Anandian's 97
group has donated medical equipments and a few other items for
the use of war heroes yesterday, 24 February.
Two suction machines, two stretcher trolleys and a wheel chair
were officially handed over to the chairperson of the Defence
Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit (SVU), Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa by the
representatives of old Anandian's 97 group, at the Defence
Ministry auditorium. The received items were handed over to
Commanding Officer of the Military Hospital, Colonel K.P.
Sumanapala at the same occasion by the chairperson of the SVU. A
few members of the ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit were also
present at the occasion.
Mobitel (Pvt) Ltd contributes "Api Wenuwen Api" housing fund
Sri Lanka
Telecom Mobitel (Pvt) Ltd has made a donation worth of 550,000
rupees for the "Api Wenuwen Api" housing fund last Friday, 20
February.
The whole staff
of the Mobitel (Pvt) Ltd has contributed for the donation and it
was officially handed over to Secretary Defence by Chairperson
of the Sri Lanka Telecom, Mrs Leisha De Silva Chandrasena at the
secretary's office.
The "Api Wenuwn
Api" (We for ourselves) fund, which is maintained by the Defence
Ministry, facilitates Api Wenuwen Api housing project aimed at
building 50000 houses for the members of the armed forces.The
first phase of housing project is presently underway at
Ipalogama in the Anuradhapura district. Construction works of
1620 houses have already been completed.
A house built
under this project costs 2.4 million rupees out of which 1
million is provided by the government while the rest is expected
to be found through donations. The houses will be given to the
security forces, personnel at a cost of 800,000 rupees each.
Over Rs. 3 million raised in Kuwait for 'Ranaviru Relief Fund'
As part of the
61st Independence Day celebrations in Kuwait, the Sri Lanka
Cultural Association in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri
Lanka in Kuwait organized the "Ranaviru Pranama" Musical Show at
Handball Association Auditorium in Kuwait on 6th February in aid
of "Ranaviru" Relief Fund of the Ministry of Defence. The Army
Ranaviru Troupe which comprised of its founder, Lieutenant
Colonel Rajitha Ampemohotti together with 11 other talented
servicemen were specially flown in to Kuwait for the show with
the courtesy of Sri Lankan airlines.
The auditorium
was packed with a large number of Sri Lankans well over 800
belonging to all communities. As the troupe arrived at the
venue, the enthusiastic crowd gave them a rousing welcome.
During the 4 - hour long performance, the troupe thrilled the
audience with their superb display of talents in singing and
rhythm. The students from the Sri Lanka school in Kuwait
performed several cultural items to the delight of the audience.
Among the invitees were Sri Lankan Ambassador H.E Sarath
Dissanayake, Sri Lankan Airline Manager, Mr. Fayaz Thaha,
members of Sri Lankan Associations, leading businessmen,
sponsors, well-wishers etc. The evening began with the lighting
of the oil lamp followed by the observance of two minutes'
silence in memory of the fallen heroes who scarified their life
and limb for the unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.
In his welcome
speech Mr. Gamini Wijeratne, President of the Sri Lanka Cultural
Association thanked all those who helped to make this event
possible and contributed for the "Ranaviru" Relief Fund. Sri
Lankan Ambassador H.E Sarath Dissanayake, the Chief Guest in his
speech appealed to all Sri Lankans in Kuwait to support the
Government's efforts to usher in peace and harmony for all Sri
Lankans. Mr. Ali Mohamed Iqbal, the Secretary of the Association
proposed the vote of thanks.
A significant
feature of the evening was the voluntary contributions extended
by Sri Lankans in the audience to the "Ranaviru" Relief Fund
which included a contribution of Rs. 1 million by Mr. Zainul
Abdeen Mohammed,President and members of the Sri Lankan Manpower
Association in Kuwait. A sum of over Rs. 3 million was raised in
aid of the Sri Lanka Ranaviru Relief Fund.In a communiqué
released the Sri Lanka Cultural Association in Kuwait said that,
"the performance staged by the Army Ranaviru Troupe will be
remembered by all as a rare feat and a lifetime experience at a
time the armed forces are on the threshold of uniting the
country and paving way for lasting peace and unity".
Sri Lankans in Bermuda make donation to "Api Wenuwen Api"
Housing Fund
Sri Lankan
expatriates in Bermuda showing their gratitude for the war
heroes of armed forces have made a financial donation for the "Api
Wenuwen Api" housing project this morning, 16 February.
Sum of SLR
290,000.00 collected from Sri Lankans in Bermuda was handed over
to the Secretary Defence by Mr Namindra Kudaliyanage, a
representative of Sri Lankans in Bermuda, at the secretary's
office. Mr Ahamed Ishak
Branudeen representing the Sri Lankans in Bermuda was also
present at the occasion.
Triad's Api Wenuwen Api bags top Advertising Award
The
Api Wenuwen Api campaign created by Triad resonated once again
as the number 1 advertisement in the minds of Sri Lankans at the
SLIM Nielsen People's Awards 2008. The "Diriya Apata Pudana"
advertisement was voted the People's Advertisement of the Year
at the awards ceremony held on October 9. This was the second
consecutive year that Triad walked away with the top advertising
award for the year.
'Diriya Apata
Pudana' formed the second stage of the Api Wenuwen Api campaign,
calling for contributions from the public towards building homes
for those fighting for our motherland.
The campaign
has had an astounding response from Sri Lankans here and abroad.
A member of the
Triad Team said, "we are immensely proud to have been a
stakeholder in the Api Wenuwen Api campaign; this was our way of
humbly giving back to those who have given us so much.
This award is
proof of the patriotism and national-mindedness of Sri Lankans
from all walks of life; the advertisement enabled them to
connect emotionally with the sons and daughters defending our
nation. It is evident in the response to the campaign that
people have shared, integrated and participated in the
communication to support, recognise and appreciate the armed
forces, at this crucial juncture."
The campaign
was created by Triad, adjudged No.1 for three consecutive years
at National Awards, The Chillies.
People's Awards
is conducted by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing in
association with Nielsen International to pick the country's
most preferred personalities and brands. The awards are the
result of extensive research carried out by Nielsen from January
to May.
Expatriate workers in Mauritius makes donation for 'Api Wenu Wen
Api' Fund
Sri Lankan
expatriate workers of the 'Tropic Neeta' apparel firm in
Mauritius have made a donation worth of Rs. 571,300 to the 'Api
Wenu Wen Api' project.
The cash cheque was received by the Secretary Defence Mr.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa from representatives of 'Tropic Neeta',
during a charm event held at the Ministry premises on February
2006.
The occasion was also graced by the Foreign Employment Promotion
and Welfare Minister and Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella.
The 'Api Wenu Wen Api' program is a fund raising project
initiated by the Ministry of Defence for the construction of
50,000 houses for security forces personnel.
Sri Lankan expatriate donates Aus $ 2000 for 'Api Wenuven Api'
Fund
Mrs. Yamuna De
Silva an English teacher working in Sydney Australia, has made a
donation worth of Aus $ 2000 to the 'Api Wenuven Api' fund. The
cash cheque for the donation was received by Secretary Defence
Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Ministry of Defence premises on
February 06th.
Defence
officials are of the view that such an example would inspire
others especially, expatriate Sri Lankans living overseas - to
make similar contributions towards the fund. Mr. Ananda M.
Samarasinghe was also present at the occasion.
The
Api Wenuwen Api campaign created by Triad resonated once again
as the number 1 advertisement in the minds of Sri Lankans at the
SLIM Nielsen People's Awards 2008. The "Diriya Apata Pudana"
advertisement was voted the People's Advertisement of the Year
at the awards ceremony held on October 9. This was the second
consecutive year that Triad walked away with the top advertising
award for the year.
