The Army has constructed 740 houses for people in the North since the end of the battle against LTTE terrorism more than a decade ago. Apart from the houses, the Army has also provided basic furniture including refrigerators to the beneficiaries.
Army Chief Gen. Shavendra Silva speaking at an event to hand over a newly constructed house to a young widow in Puthukudiyiruppu called upon the Tamil Diaspora to refrain from making any adverse comments that could disrupt efforts that are being made to strengthen peace and reconciliation in the country. While elaborating on the humanitarian assistance provided by the Army in the North, Gen. Shavendra Silva also said that 1,600 young men and women in the North have shown an interest in joining the Sri Lanka Army during the past three months. Army Spokesman Brigadier Nilantha Perera said the interest shown by the young men and women in the North to join the Army is very encouraging and currently the process is being carried out to accommodate the successful candidates into various categories in the Army.
Commenting on the houses built by the Army for homeless persons, Brigadier Nilantha Perera said that several donors have also made contributions towards this end.