Rana Viru Sevana

Infobox Military Structure
name= Sri Lanka Army Rehabilitation Directorate
location= Ragama, Western Province


caption=
type=Rehabilitation Centre
built= 1988
materials=
used= 1988 – present
controlledby=

"Rana Viru Sevana" (Shelter for War Heroes) is Sri Lanka's pioneering body established for rehabilitation of soldiers wounded in War against Terrorism. Rana Viru Sevana at Ragama is the main establishment operated under Sri Lanka Army's Rehabilitation Directorate. There are nine other establishments located around the country operated under the same commandment.

Services

Rana Viru Sevana is dedicated to look after young men and women who are permanently disabled due to injuries received in the war. Most of the residents are amputees with one or more limb losses, mainly below the knee.

Currently there are about 200 resident patients who receive long term treatments. Within the facility everyone is looked after according to the highest standards in the modern world.

The Directorate is engaged with several projects to rehabilitate these injured/disabled Soldiers. Providing vocational training is a top priority. They are trained to regain abilities with suitable work. For example, those who are able to sit back and work will receive clerical training and then be assigned to their own unit. Before releasing them from the facility, they will be provided all necessary equipment such as Artificial Limbs, Socket Gel Liners, Walking Aids and sanitary aid as appropriate.

Institutional Level Support

Ranaviru Sevana also operates with the following extended services.a. Medical wing - provides the in ward care for soldiers with paraplegia (tetraplegia, severe head injuries, bilateral amputations and total blindness. The total bed count is 92 beds). b. Physiotherapy department- for indoor and outdoor patients. c. Occupational therapy d. Hydrotherapy e. Vocational training department- conducts courses on leatherwork, electronics, soft toys, flower making, screen-printing. These courses are for severely disabled soldiers who need residential facilities. f. Special education department- mainly for those with speech disabilities and/or mental disabilities secondary to the injury, and for the blind who are given mobility training and Braille lessons.g. Welfare section h. Psychological assistance- by lay counselors i. Prosthetic and Orthotic work shopj. Management of sexual disabilities

Regimental Level Support

There are nine RHQ battalions, which are being administered by the Regiments, but this directorate provides the technical support through the Rehabilitation Team. The soldiers of these RHQ Battalions bear varying disabilities. The Rehabilitation Team visits them and makes arrangements to provide them with the following:

a. Advice on medical matters pertaining to disability b.Care for artificial limbs and stumps c. Counseling - This directorate has trained disabled soldiers from the Regiments to function as lay counselors. The Rehab Team advises and assists them. d. Welfare matters- attends to the problems of insurance claims by liasing with the directorate of Welfare. e. Disability percentages are given for free bus passes and railway passes . f. Opportunities for vocational training. g. Opportunity to discuss their problems and grievances personally with the Director of Rehabilitation or any member of the Rehab Team.

Community Level Support

The rehabilitation team visits Ranaviru villages of the Sri Lanka Army every six months and conducts rehabilitation clinics, which includes a medical clinic for all the members of the village. At present 13 villages fall under the scrutiny of this Directorate.

The 13 other Ranaviru Villages which operate under the supervision of Rana Viru Sevana are as follows :

1. Panggolla, Kurunegala
2. New Chatalewatta, Kalutara
3. Udupila, Gampaha
4. Watupitiwala, Gampaha
5. Keragala, Gampaha
6. Rambewa, Anuradhapura
7. Paradise watta, Kuruwita
8. Lunugamvehera, Hambantota
9. Mirijjawila, Hambantota
10. Thalgaswela, Elpitiya
11. Salawa Watta, Kosgama
12. Lunama, Ambalantota
13. Galnawa, Anuradhapura

External Links

* [http://www.army.lk/regab2.php Sri Lanka Army Rehabilitation Directorate]

* [http://www.army.lk Sri Lanka Army]

* [http://www.donateabed.lk Donate a Bed]

* [http://www.ranavirufund.blogspot.com Rana Viru Fund]

* [http://www.ranjanwijeratnefoundation.org/ranaviru-sevana.html Gen Ranjan Wijeratne Foundation]
* [http://www.gayanga.com/walkagain/ Walk Again Campaign]
* [http://www.dialog.lk/en/corporate/press/releases/pressRelease.jsp?id=173 Dialog Telekom Gifts Rana Viru Sevana]

References