National prosperity throughethnic harmony
The Aluthgama Development Foundation felicitates the work of its volunteers
Members of the ADF (Aluthgama Development Foundation) recently came together to acknowledge the work of the organization’s many volunteers. The organization was formed in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Army, to build homes for families in need who were affected by the ethnic discord, riots and violence which took place in Aluthgama last year. Hussain Sadique -Deputy Managing Director, Hameedia played a pivotal role in forming the ADF (Aluthgama Development Foundation) and currently heads the organization’s management as its Chairman, along with a team of concerned citizens, military personnel and Government officials.
In early October, the Aluthgama Development Foundation organized a ceremony at the Ishathul Islam auditorium in Dharga Town. The ceremony felicitated the armed forces, and the Government officials who were involved in the reconstruction of the houses and other commercial buildings that were destroyed in Aluthgama and its surrounding areas. The event was graced by Chief Guest,Hon. Rajitha Senaratne -Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine, Guest of Honour, Major General UbayaMedawala and Hon. RishadBathuideen- Minister of Industry and Commerce and the Chief Prelate of the Viharaya.
A total of 600 soldiersand officers under the guidance of Major General UbayaMedawala, worked tirelessly for more than a year to reconstruct the houses and shops that wereburned and destroyed. Each member of the armed forces was warmly welcomed in keeping with Muslim traditionby the sprinkling of rose water, the applying of the perfume Attar and they also received a floral brooch made with orchid flowers.
Two hundred personnel from the armed forces representing the Army, Navy, Air Forceand the Police along with several Government officials and a large number of well-wishers and clergy participated in order to felicitate the tireless work of the volunteers.The members of the armed forces and the Government officials were bestowed with gifts, plaques and certificates of appreciation.
HussainSadique,Chairman of Aluthgama Development Foundationpraised the leadership, which wasprovided by the Major General and thanked the troops and cadres for their discipline whileexecutingtheir services in rebuilding the town.
Minister Seneratnealso praised Major General Medawala on his brilliant leadership skills and vowed that under the new Government,no such ethnic violence will ever be tolerated again. The event concluded with a traditional dinner.
