Khartoum:A special discussion on integrating the National Defence Fund and the ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ Fund was chaired by Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) at the Presidential Secretariat.

According to the Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, the meeting focused on appointing an expert committee to assess the potential integration of these funds with the Ranaviru Seva Fund and other welfare programs for the Tri-Services and service personnel. The discussion examined the financial, legal, and administrative feasibility of such an integration.

The proposed initiative aims to streamline welfare assistance for armed forces members and their families, potentially expanding eligibility for benefits. Additionally, the possibility of providing financial assistance to help service members settle loans from financial institutions was considered.

Senior officials from various departments, including the Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Mr. 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.