Aluthgama Development Foundation felicitates volunteers’ work

7 December 2015 03:19 am Views - 1500

Ash-Sheikh Arkam Nooramith & Minister Rajitha Senaratne


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, Rajitha Senaratne - Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine, Guest of Honour, Major General Ubaya Medawala and Rishad Bathuideen - Minister of Industry and Commerce and the Chief Prelate of the Viharaya. 

A total of 600 soldiers and officers under the guidance of Major General Ubaya Medawala, worked tirelessly for more than a year to reconstruct the houses and shops that were burned and destroyed. Each member of the armed forces was warmly welcomed in keeping with Muslim tradition by 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 Force and 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.  Hussain Sadique, Chairman of Aluthgama Development Foundation praised the leadership, which was provided by the Major General and thanked the troops and cadres for their discipline while executing their services in rebuilding the town. Minister Seneratne also 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.