“Weera Matha Padakkama” (medal for heroic mothers/ women) was awarded to 850 mothers and wives of whose offspring and spouses sacrificed their lives and limbs for the territorial integrity and for the defence of the motherland, in a ceremony held at the “Temple Trees”-the official residence of H.E. President, in the morning on the 13^th march, in the event of the International Women’s’ day fell on the 08^th March. This particular medal signifies and dignifies the value of the mothers and wives whose sons and husbands sacrificed for the sake of the motherland.

 

The programme had been organized under the full patronage of Mrs. Shiranthi  Rajapakshe, the first lady, who took the outstanding initiative for the “Siriliya Saviya” movement under which many welfare campaigns are implemented.

 

Mr. Rathnasiri Wickramanyake, the Prime Minister, Mrs. Ayoma Rajapakshe, the president of the Seva Vanitha  Unit of the Ministry of Defence. Dr.(Mrs) Ranjanie Perera, the lady of the Chief of the Defence Staff, Mrs Anoma Fonseka, the president of the Seva vanitha Unit of the SL Army. Mrs Ashoka karannagoda, the president of the Seva Vanitha Unit of the SL Navy, Mrs Nelum Goonatilleke, the president of the Seva Vanitha unt of the SL Air Force, and Mrs. Ramya Perera, the president of the Seva Vanitha Unit of the SL Police graced the occasion.

 

The Chief of Defence Staff, the Commander of the Army, the Commander of the Navy, the Commander of the Air Force, and the inspector General of Police too participated in the event.

 

In the ceremony, artificial limbs and pairs of spectacles, under the sponsorships of the Kundasale Disabled Centre and Neth Saviya respectively were too donated.