"The best way to show our gratitude to the fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country, is to provide the facilities for their children to get a proper education enabling them to become good and useful citizens," Southern Province Secretary of Education M. W. Wijethilake said at the ceremony held recently to honour the war heroes at the Public Services Club hall in Galle. It was organised by the AAUP Ruhuna Chapter.

"The AAUP Ruhuna Chapter, I believe, had taken the initiative in the right direction to encourage these children to continue their education by providing them the books and stationery needed," he said.

Ven. Habarakada Sobitha Thera, Chief Incumbent of Buddhasingharama Vihara at Kalubowila, delivering the anusasana, said it was always a son of Ruhuna who led the struggle against invaders to preserve the unity and integrity of the country. Once again it was President Mahinda Rajapaksa, a son of Magama who led the war successfully against the ruthless terrorists, he said.

There were about 50 children from 36 families whose fathers had died in action at the war front.

They were given gift parcels and entertained to lunch and tea. An entertainment programme too was performed at the end of the ceremony.