A special discussion has been held at the Presidential Secretariat on the proposed integration of the National Defence Fund and the “Api Wenuwen Api” Fund with the Ranaviru Seva Fund and other welfare programmes for Tri-Service personnel.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.).
According to the Ministry of Defence, the discussion focused primarily on appointing an expert committee to assess the feasibility of integrating the various funds and welfare programmes currently operating for members of the armed forces and their families.
The proposed study will examine the financial, legal and administrative implications of such an integration. The initiative is expected to streamline welfare assistance and potentially expand the number of service personnel and family members eligible for benefits.
The meeting also considered the possibility of providing financial assistance to members of the armed forces to settle loans obtained from financial institutions. Preliminary discussions were held on possible mechanisms and an institutional framework for implementing such a programme.
Senior officials representing the Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, the Ranaviru Seva Authority, the Attorney General’s Department, the Department of National Budget, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Defence participated in the discussion.
The Defence Ministry said no final decision has been taken on the proposed integration of the funds or the loan-assistance programme. Further consideration of the financial, legal and administrative aspects will be required before any implementation.
