UNDER COMMAND TROOPS OF 66 INFANTRY DIVISION HAS LAUNCHED MORE PROJECTS TO UPLIFT THE LIVELIHOOD OF PEOPLE IN KILINOCHCHI AREA

In line with the vision of the Commander - Security Forces Headquarters - Killinochchi Major General Harendra Ranasinghe, and instruction of the General Officer Commanding 66 Infantry Division Major General Ajith Dissanayake, 661 Infantry Brigade has launched number of projects to uplift the living standards of the people in Pooneryn area with the close supervision of Commander 661 Infantry Brigade Colonel Deeptha Ariyasena.

Palmyra Handcraft Project have been started aiming finding a better market for traditional Palmyra products which produced by the craftsmen / craftswomen in the area. It is also aimed at improving the quality of these products in order to compete with other products in the market. In support of this initiative, a course has been started to impart new knowledge and craftsmanship, enabling to produce better quality products. Altogether, 47 trainees are presently attending the course.

24 VIR and 5 (V) MIR have selected 4 low-income families each from respective AORs and distributed 25 chicks each to all families. This project will provide them an extra income minimumly Rs: 150 – 200 per day, which is a relief for a low-income familes. This project has shown a tremendous success, and it is expected to start generating income by the end of August 2021.

Turkey Berry is verity of a local vegetable which has a constant demand throughout the year. Turkey Berry has never been cultivated as a commercial crop in this area. It does not require chemical fertilizers and pesticides as most of other types crops. It is an ideal garden vegetable, which can be cultivated using organic fertilizers and comparatively it gives a higher income as well. Troops of 24 VIR and 5 (V) MIR distributed Turkey Berry plants to 10 low-income families in the area.

With the direction of the Commander 662 Infantry Brigade, Colonel Chaminda Liyanage 662 Infantry Brigade troops distributed Watermelon seeds and Turmeric plants among twelve low-income families in the area. In that, each family was received 200g of Watermelon seeds and 250 Turmeric plants. With the close supervision of the Commanding Officer 20(V) VIR, Major SJGAM Subasinghe RSP, troops of 20(V) VIR distribute 500g of Pumpkin seeds each among three low-income families in the area and distribute 25 chicks among four low-income poultry farmers in the area in order to uplift their income.

Moreover, 20 SLLI has initiated a Compost Fertilizer Project to reduce the high volume of organic wastage at the battalion levels and to recycle the nutrients back to crops being farmed in the battalion farm. The main aim of this project is to seek feasibility of usage of the Compost Fertilizers instead of other Chemical Fertilizers by promoting the same among local farmers in the area.

In addition to above mentioned projects, 20(V) VIR troops have provided the raw materials to Mr. P Subramaniam for the production of Murukku and savory snacks. Further, on 16th June 2021 the production has been commenced and the samples of the products have been distributed among all the canteens and Army Welfare shops in the 66 Infantry Division AOR.

With the request of the former Commander, 662 Infantry Brigade; Brigadier Ravi Pathiravithana a project launched by the Rotary Club - Colombo Fort to construct two water tanks which will benefit 56 families living in Serukkan and Seethakudiirippu villages, was also handed over to the public recently. as instructions by the Commander Security Forces KLN and the General Officer Commanding 66 Infantry Division and with the close supervision of the Commanding Officer of 20 SLLI, Lieutenant Colonel IKAC Kumara WWV RWP RSP, the troops of the 20 SLLI contributed technical knowlege and skilled manpower to this project.

Under 663 Infantry Brigade, 11 (V) GR implemented several programs to up lift the living standard of the poor families in the Jayapuram, Pallavarayankaddu, Vannerikulam and Kariyalanagapadduwan areas who do not have proper income level to maintain their day today life. Donated 200 x Turkey Berry plants for 08 families (25 plants each for a family). Distributed 30 coconut plants for 03 families (10 plants each for a family).

Moreover, 2 SLNG distributed 100 x chicks and newly created 4 cages for 4 Tamil families (25 Chicks each for a family). Distributed 250 Turkey Berry plants for 10 families 25 Plants each for a family.